If you failed to follow the buildup of Project Flashback from the first installment, our original goal was to build our DA up to old-school specs using parts that were available from back in the day. Some things are just not meant to be.
After scouring the classifieds and various JDM importers, we decided to actually give up. Yeah, we're quitters. Point and laugh. We deserve it. We even set up a SuperStreetOnline poll asking readers to vote on which wheels we should use. It seems that the majority of you jabronies were split between the Enkei J-Speed III and the Work RS-Beta. So what to do? Easy money. I referred back to my buddy's high school math book, Dollars and Sense for inspiration. Adding all two of the models listed above, the equation yielded me a single wheel choice...
I took into account the brand and style of each of the two wheels to finally come up with a wheel worthy of Project Flashback: the Enkei RPF1. That's not old school! I know. Life's just not fair, is it? The reason we chose the Enkei RPF1 is because it met all of our stupid/stringent (take your pick) requirements while blending the two old-school wheels you guys voted on. The RPF1 has the six split-spoke design of the RS Beta, while also having the double-lip of the J-Speed III. Though not polished (not yet, at least), the lip extends about 2 inches down. This makes the wheel look smaller, but it strengthens the wheel substantially.
1. Requirement: The wheel had to be strong. Since we're daily driving this beast, we need wheels that can handle all the potholes that seem to crop up the day after it rains here in SoCal--faster than maggots on rotting meat.
Why the RPF1 is strong: Though you probably wont go off-roading anytime in the foreseeable future, our sister magazine, Sport Compact Car used the RPF1s on their project WRX--they even managed to slide the car off the paved portion of tarmac, causing damage to coilovers, but hardly a slight cosmetic blemish in the lip of their RPF1s. Testaments aside, it's reassuring to know that Enkei engineers and supplies wheels to various OEMs across the board, from Honda to Nissan.
2. Requirement: Wheels gotta be lightweight, i.e., less than a pound per inch.
Why the RPF1 is light: M.A.T., aka Most Advanced Technology uses rim-rolling technology that improves the stiffness of the wheel. The lip is rolled, allowing it to be thinner. At the same time, it's compressed, allowing the aluminum grain structure to have greater uniformity. Basically, M.A.T. allows Enkei to use the least amount of aluminum without compromising the strength of the wheel. Oh yeah, the 16x7 we're using weighed in at a svelte 13.7 pounds. Besting my initial requirement of 16 pounds.
3. Requirement: They have cost less than a G.
Why the RPF1 is affordable: Because the wheel is actually cast. Forging costs a grip of money. We all now that forged wheels are dope because they are super lightweight, but hardly any of us can afford them, especially when they are going to be used for daily driving. We picked up our set for roughly $900. A steal indeed.
Enkei has taken their time, knowledge, and experience to develop wheels that give the end user the strength and lightweight construction of a forged wheel--all at a fraction of the cost.
So, what about tires?
Choosing tires for me is fun. I like to help Tire Rack increase their page views by visiting their website everyday. I read all the specs on all the tires. I know, I'm a nerd. But I get paid to test all this stuff out, you don't.
When I finally marry Jessica Alba, I'm going to have to abandon the Honda camp. She's not going to want to ride in a DA or EG. So my plans are to pick up the baddest sedan out--a BMW M5. Why a sedan? Little Ayrton's gonna need somewhere to sit, too. I know, an M5's German. But German stuff is good. Solid. Precise. Safe. Since my year's salary can hardly cover the cost of an M5, I thought I'd slice a sliver off the car's parts list. Dunlop SP9000's come standard on the Bavarian sled. So I think it would be fitting for me to utilize the same rubber on the, umm, project car. The SP9000 is Dunlop's best tire for flat out performance, both in the wet and in the dry. If it's good enough for an M5, it's good enough for Flashback. The tires feature a lot of open grooves in the middle of the tire (44% groove vs. 56% rubber), which leads me to believe the tires can evacuate a lot of standing water, fast. Since this car is a daily driver, it will see it's fair share of wet-weather usage. That, and the irrigation in California flat out sucks.
We purchased our RPF1s from Dynamic Autosports in Lake Forest, CA. Our SP9000's were purchased from America's Tire Company in Torrance, CA. America's Tire Company has some of the must up-to-date tire mounting machinery this side of an F1 outfit. Follow along as they mount and balance our setup.
First step is to install the supplied Enkei valve stem to the wheel. | 
Be sure that your tire guy seats the o-rings properly, or your tires will not hold air for very long. |
Yeah, we're happy, too. We'd be even more thrilled if you paid attention to mounting our tire! | 
It looks painful, but rest assured. After mounting the tire, your wheel won't have a single scratch thanks to America's Tire Company using their skill, experience, and the best mounting tools money can buy. |
These plastic wheel guards prevent your new wheels from getting scuffed. In fact, there's no metal-to-metal contact during tire mounting. To our knowledge, America's is one of the few tire shops that go to these lengths to assure a scratch-free install. | 
After the tire is mounted, all that's left is pulling the plastic wheel guards off. |
After mounting, the tires are inflated to spec. We love the sound of a brand-new tire bead popping onto the wheel for the very first time almost as much as the sound of...err, nevermind. | 
The wheels and tires are balanced on the top-of-the-line Hunter GSP9700 Road Force tire balancer. This machine ensures that the wheels and tires are perfectly balanced by taking into account conformity changes when the tires are in contact with the asphalt. Several 135mph blasts proved that the Hunter unit will be the only machine touching ANY of our wheels and tires. |
Kevin from America's Tire Company holds up our prized hoops. If Kevin can lift 'em, they gotta be light. | 
16x7 Enkei RPF1 shod with Dunlop SP9000 in 205/45 Z-rated rubber vs. 92-93 GS-R's with Michelin 195/60's. Touch choice, we know. |
Check out the difference in sidewall height. Not much. But it's not the size that counts. The materials used on the tire play a huge role in the stiffness of the tire. | 
We used McGard's Splinedrive lug nuts and locks to ward off would-be thieves from ganking our RPF1's. The McGard lug and lock are the same height and weight, making them look perfectly uniform when installed. |
We have upgraded our brakes, suspension, and rolling stock. So now what? Track time! Not the garden variety autocross, but actual road-racing. Stay tuned to SuperStreetOnline for more as we take our Flashback to Buttonwillow Raceway.