HRE FlowForm Series Wheels: Sublime Style & Class for Your 6th-gen Camaro
If you’ve been looking for a set of lightweight wheels with sports-luxury flair, HRE has plenty of options for you.
One of the easiest and common mods on a brand new (or used) vehicle is to swap the factory wheels for aftermarket options. They instantly enhance your car’s style, but you also need to consider strength, weight and, in certain cases, performance. This is where San Diego-based HRE Wheels comes into the spotlight.
The FlowForm Series on the Chevrolet Camaro emanates lots of style and most importantly, are lightweight, thanks to advanced techniques used in flow forming technology.
These particular mesh wheels, FF10, are 20 x 10 in front, 20 x 11 in the rear with a positive 35mm/50mm offset, and are approximately 25 pounds each. That’s about 4.32 pounds off the stock front wheels (29.32 pounds) and 7.3 pounds off the rear (32.30 pounds).
Grand total: 27.56 pound reduction at all four points.
‘Flow forming borrows techniques from both casting and forging, it provides a happy midrange for high-durability and class for a fraction of the price of forged wheels. They possesses magnificent design with ornate resolve, and serve as a sizeable upgrade for the newer-gen Chevrolet Camaro.’
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to Jay’s Commercial Tire in Gardena, California. They put my wheels on flawlessly, and at an very reasonable rate per wheel. If you live in the South Bay of Los Angeles and need some wheel or tire work done, feel free to drop by.
HRE Manufacturing Magic
So, how is this possible on a cast wheel? Flow forming tech uses two crucial components to achieve this—constant pressure and stretching. The wheel is first cast on a production-grade dowel from a single metal disk or tube (HRE uses A3 5.62 aluminum alloy). The wheel is then rapidly spun around over an open heat source so that it can be stretched and compressed in intervals.
HRE doesn’t just stop there, though. They also further heat treat the wheels to help lock in the hardness and durability of the structures, augmenting and finalizing the aluminum’s crystalline structures.
Effects on Handling
The end result is a cast wheel that is lighter and remarkably stronger than regular factory wheels. This isn’t to cast aspersions on the General Motors’ quality, I actually particularly like the sixth-gen wheel design (even the facelifted Camaro SS ones). However, these wheels make the car feel more nimble and agile compared to stock.
I’ve fitted Yokohama ADVAN APEX V601 tires (285/35 20 front, 305/35 20 rear) onto them and they look great and offer decent protection from curb rash. You can use factory lugs with the FF10 without issue but if you’re itching for custom ones, opt for smaller diameter or you may risk damaging the finish.
Matchmade
This is purely subjective, but these mesh wheels look rather busy, the style seems to compliment the sixth-gen’s design in my eyes. Yes, the Camaro has swept lines and a rather svelte form (for a muscle car), but something about the design of these one-piece beauties just makes this car standout.
Everyone knows the inevitable “look back” after leaving your car. It’s flatout involuntary for car enthusiasts, and I am no stranger to it at all. While I generally prefer solid-spoke design when it comes to wheels, I simply can’t look away from my car when I gander. They serve as a really nice focal point and grab attention everywhere I go.
HRE FlowForm: The Perfect Medium
Forging makes metal stronger and more reliable than any other process. However, since flow forming borrows techniques from both casting and forging, it provides a happy midrange for high-durability and class for a fraction of the price of forged wheels. They possesses magnificent design with ornate resolve, and serve as a sizeable upgrade for the newer-gen Chevrolet Camaro.
So if you’re in the market for some performance wheels with some killer-aesthetic, give the FlowForm Series a shot. It will instantly up your cool points every where you roam.
Photos & Video by LS1Tech Editor Derin Richardson
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