This collaboration with Rogue Engineering x 2M Autowerks definitely the true meaning of partnership. 2M Autowerks (San Diego, CA) set out to make a dimensionally accurate E46 M3 GTR body kit based on the real BMW Motorsport racecar and the Need for Speed hero car. Produced to order in their shop in San Diego, the last piece they were missing were wheels that fit the bill. This is where we came in.
Element of Design
Inspired by retro motorsport designs, Rogue Engineering wanted to produce a wheel for today's marketplace that needed quality, performance wheels at reasonable prices. Knowing full well that a fully forged wheel was out of the budget of most, we worked with a manufacturer that would be able to help us produce a wheel with performance using flow formed manufacturing techniques.
Authentic BBS RE594 magnesium wheel (front) as used on the BMW E46 M3 IMSA GT car
The inspiration behind the Rogue Engineering GTR wheel
Starting Off: Computer Mumbo Jumbo
We knew we had to start beyond the typical napkin tracing, so we started with our own in-house Solidworks 3D renderings. From here, we could tweak, redraw, compare, analyse, 3D print and even virtually "test" our design.
Solidworks 3D rendering
FEM analysis of the design
3D printing the drawing allows us to put our hands on it...
Flow Forming: Forging without the high costs
The GTR wheel uses a technique called flow forming to manufacture the barrel of the wheel. By applying high pressure to the inside of the barrel, it forms the aluminum into its final shape. This forms the aluminum grain to a much stronger alignment and tighter grain structure. This "squeezing" process makes a thinner, stronger wall than a fully cast wheel but also a stronger wheel as well.
GTR flowing production
GTR production testing
Weight or Wait?
Wait a minute...what about weight?
One of the many reasons we decided to embark on this wheel journey is that we wanted to produce and offer a STRONG wheel. There are many options out in the marketplace but often times, focusing on static weight (the weight of the rim itself) is not as beneficial as one may think. Factory OEM wheels are commonly boat anchors, but for good reason. They need to be strong enough to support a 3000-5000 pound vehicle while trying to prevent failure from potholes and other hazards in the road.
We wanted to make a wheel strong enough to take track curbing, but also able to handle road abuse. Initial 3D renderings show that we could reduce weight by approximately 10%, but at the risk of strength and wheel stiffness. We opted for increased strength and stiffness over a small weight difference. We anticipate our customers would appreciate this benefit as well.
Detailed Specifications
- 18x10 ET5 weight, 20.9 lbs.
- 18x11 ET-20 weight, 23.25 lbs.
Benefits of the Rogue Engineering GTR wheel
- Flow formed construction means strength without excessive weight
- Spokes extend to outside of rim to reinforce strength against bending (potholes, racetrack curbing, etc.)
- Engineered for brake caliper clearance for BBKs (at least 355mm rotors) without the use of spacers (1.75" of clearance on Stoptech ST40s, 355mm rotor) with 18x9.5 ET35 GTR rim)
- Knurled bead on the inside of the barrel minimizes tire slippage on track cars and cars with high horsepower.
- FEA/FEM optimized for strength and stiffness without sacrificing weight
- Bolt hole bore large enough to accept 19mm socket, for those using wheel locks.
- Engineered and tested to meet and exceed DOT/SAE, JWL/VIA standards (JWL certificate testing being done)
- Chamfered rear hub face is compatible with Rogue Engineering 10mm and 12mm spacers
- Centercaps included. Production rims will allow factory BMW centercaps (36-13-6-783-536) to fit.
- Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) compatible (sensors not included)
- Available in Motorsport Silver
Notes:
- Designed specifically to fit the 2M GTR bodykit for the E46 M3.
