WORK vs. Enkei
 

I'm having trouble making a decision on which wheels to get. The car will split time between track work and weekend driver status. This is not a daily driver so I'm not looking for big baller rims, yo. I've narrowed my decision down to these two wheels. The old Rotas must go! In the left corner we have a set of gunmetal WORK Emotion CR Kai in 18x9.5, +20 offset, weighing in at 23lbs each...

http://www.rodmillenstore.com/images..._kai_wheel.gif

In the right corner we have a set of gunmetal Enkei RCT4 in 18x9.5, +30 offset, weighing in at 19lbs each...

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/jpg/8/Enkei_rct_2w.jpg

right is probably better... though i like the left look.

I've always loved the WORK Emotion wheel and I would recommend you that one, but since you said your Evo is going to do track duty, I would go with function over form. Enkie is lighter, making unsprung weight low, which should increase performance. 23lbs isn't heavy by any stretch of the imagination, but if you are trying to get the maximum out of your wheels, then I would go Enkie.

bump :(

20 off-set is not going to work.

30 off set won't either.

This is for a Mitsubishi Evo. Both of those offsets will work fine. I'll just need to roll the rear fenders a little.

if its a track car function over form...

plus +20 will work, but you'll have to have lots and lots of negative camber with fender rolled. maybe even pulled a little.

+30 will work too.

surprisingly, EVO fitments will work with RX8 fitment.

run 255/35R18 or 245/35R18

Thanks Chris but that link sends me to a page you have to be registered to view.

that's just part of his signature...haha. he wasn't directing that to you.

Interesting. Others with a +20 in 18x9.5 have said they can run less than 2 degrees of negative camber without incident. I think tire choice plays a big role too. Anyways I know what you mean about Evo and RX-8 fitments being the same. I see RX-8 owners selling their used rims on the Evo boards all the time. The most recent CR Kai's I saw were 17x9 in a +28 offset with 255/40/17's.

http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?op...&topic=60846.0

I am biased:)....forged works are nice....even thought these are cast.......post changed for danomite:)

they are cast

no I know.....I just saying forged works are nice:)...I personally have the cr kai in bronze.....I know they are cast, still pretty light though.

haha..gotcha. i too have 'em. great wheels. 18x9.5 +38, but i could've gotten +30.

yeah I went with 18 x 8.5 +38......wanted 9.5 but got these for a deal I couldn't say no to.

18lbs > 23lbs

enkei.

Found some pics to help me visualize my choices. I also just found out the RC-T4's are actually only 18lbs instead of 19lbs. Wow.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...8/DSC_1063.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/4347F644A26B9BF/standard.jpg

cr-kai = form
enkei = function

depends on what you're looking for

pick form over function or function over form

hope i didn't confuse you

if you're on a budget and can only afford one set then get the cr-kai because they look so much better and are still relatively light

if its not a DD and just a weekend warrior and half track , i would choose the WORKS CR.~-imo it looks sexy and a cleaner look to it.

but if you're really going competitive then the enkeis is a good choice to go with. and it looks good too.

seems to me its a win win situation with both rims, go for the one wuh u think is the best idea and choice.~
;)

Now that I know this is for an Evo, the enkei's look better (I like the look of Evo's with that style multi-spoke rims) and are lighter. Your visual presentation just confirms this. If it was for an 8 I was going to give the nod to the Works just because 8's look good with split 5-spoke type rims.

I think you should go for Work XD-9s

I like the look of the XD-9 but in an 18x9.5 they weigh 25lbs.

That will make your car real slow and put a lot of wear on brakes, bearings,etc..

Thanks for the input guys. In the end I decided on the Enkeis. I like the looks off the CR Kai's a little more but everything about my car has been built around performance. Another 20lbs of unsprung weight wouldn't make much of a difference for daily driving but I'm focussed on the track and this makes more sense for that application. I'll have pics this Friday!