The ticking noise or the engine noise at shift?

So I drove mine for the first time in two weeks. It is so weird having a car with the engine dialed in and the rest of the car kinda janky still. Maybe I was just having an off day.

 

Received a promotional email today from Z1 Motorsports. They're selling wheels now?

Specifically, one model wheel, branded for Z1.

https://www.z1motorsports.com/z1-pro...9720e5be24fd36

 

Not trying to sound like a downer at all, but I'm not much of a fan of those wheels. Seems like they're made mostly for the 370z's or the G /Q coupes with wider wheel sizes. 9.5" is what I've got on the rears of my sedan and that's the widest I would go without it looking silly. And they aren't really that lightweight like they claim, for flow-formed wheels. My flow-formed 18x9.5's are under 19lbs and not expensive. I will say that z1's wheels are probably stronger and more durable though if you're concerned about that.

 

Personally, I think they're unremarkable, neither particularly attractive nor ugly. What I like about them is the simplicity of design, but... too simple, maybe. Either way, good for Z1 doing something new (for them). And at $300 a pop, it seems reasonably priced for a flow-formed wheel.

 

I wish that Enkei A. Still made the RP01 and B. made them in 19" sizes.

Everything I see out there has too much spoke.

I do have a set of RP01s for the FC3S in the attic, but they're 17"

 

I like a good five-spoke design but it has to be on the right car. It doesn't fit too well on a luxury sedan.

I miss my RSX wheels, always loved that design.

(not my car but looked like this pic)
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QALczBoPd-4/maxresdefault.jpg

 

Years ago, I was originally drawn to the Vossen CV3. Pretty clean 5-spoke design.

Long since discontinued. Heck, even my Vossen CVT wheels are discontinued. Seems Vossen is chasing a higher-end market these days.

 

Those Vossen's are sweet! Why would they ever discontinue those!?

 

A few years back, Vossen realigned their target market, and started selling multi-piece, forged wheels, while phasing out their monoblock models. After a while, they were down to just two or three, and apparently just recently discontinued the CVT (my wheels). There's a lot more profit to be had going upscale, I'm assuming.

TBH, Vossens were always priced too high, even their monoblocks. And these days, well... I'm not going to dish out $1000 per wheel. People do it, I'm sure, but not for a 10 year old Infiniti.

 

I dread these wheels every car wash. Way too busy. But, i'm too cheap to replace 'em with something else (unless forged). Don't drive the car enough to justify.

 

Wheww yeah and the black will show dirt like crazy.

 

I always do the wheels first, then the front end when washing. The rest is easy

 

I had those wheels on my 01 CL-S, great wheel and the car I regret getting rid of.

 

Random question: Anyone know where to get wrinkle finish aluminum intercooler piping pieces?

I build my long-tube CAIs at 2.25 but with 2.5" MAF housings it seems to make sense to redo them.

 

VHT sells wrinkle finish paint in black and red.

Outside of this powder coated wrinkle silver finish or a type of rough Sand/Water blasting to give it that porous look.