RAYS VOLK RACING TE37 Forged Wheels

RAYS VOLK RACING TE37 — The Origin of the Six-Spoke Standard

Introduced in 1996 by RAYS Engineering, the VOLK RACING TE37 established a design philosophy that the industry has been studying ever since. Six straight spokes radiating from a compact centre hub to a machined barrel rim — no curves, no decorative flanges, no excess material anywhere. The geometry was derived directly from RAYS's involvement in Japanese Touring Car Championship programmes, where wheel weight and stiffness under lateral cornering loads were measured against lap times, not marketing objectives. Every millimetre of the original spoke angle, every draft angle in the forging die, emerged from data collected at circuits rather than from a design studio. The result was a wheel that weighed measurably less than its cast contemporaries while sustaining higher dynamic loads, and which has remained in production without fundamental modification for three decades.

The TE37 is manufactured at RAYS's own facilities in Japan from 6061-T6 aluminium alloy through a closed-die hot-forging process that aligns grain structure longitudinally along each spoke. The wheel does not leave Japan for any manufacturing step. From the cast billet through forging, solution heat treatment, quench, artificial ageing, machining, and finish application, every process is controlled by RAYS employees using RAYS-owned tooling. The consequence of that vertically integrated approach is dimensional consistency between individual wheels that cannot be achieved through outsourced forging or import casting, and it is the reason the TE37 remains the reference against which other forged monoblock designs are measured.

TE37 Fitment Sizes and Diameter Reference

• Diameters: 13" | 14" | 15" | 16" | 17" | 18" | 19" | 20" | 21" | 22" | 23" | 24"
• Available Widths: 5J–14.5J
• Offset Range: +10 to +70 mm (model and diameter dependent)
• Bolt Patterns: 4×100, 5×100, 5×112, 5×114.3, 5×120, 4×98, 5×130 and others — specify at order
• Centre Bore: 73.1 mm standard; hub-centric rings available for 56.1 mm, 60.1 mm, 64.1 mm and other common bore sizes
• Construction: 1-piece monoblock hot-forged 6061-T6 aluminium alloy
• Lug Seat: 60° conical
• Lug Count: 4 or 5, matched to PCD selection

Need a Different Diameter or Offset?

The TE37 has been produced in an exceptional range of specifications since 1996, and many combinations beyond catalogue listings have been made available through RAYS's direct ordering programme. If your vehicle requires an unusual offset, a large-PCD bolt pattern not listed above, or a specific centre bore that differs from the standard, contact Hodoor World and we will liaise with the RAYS authorised import network to source the correct specification. We also offer an AI Wheel Design Service if you want a custom spoke pattern or finish concept designed before production begins.

Technical Specifications — RAYS VOLK RACING TE37

• Material: 6061-T6 forged aluminium alloy (T6 = solution heat-treated and artificially aged)
• Manufacturing: Closed-die hot forging, single-piece monoblock — no welds, no bolts, no assembly joints
• Heat Treatment: T6 temper — solution treated at 530°C, quenched, aged at 160°C for peak tensile strength
• Finish Options: Bronze, Hyper Silver, Titan Silver, Semi-Gloss Black, Chromium Silver (availability varies by run)
• Spoke Count: 6 (three pairs of parallel spokes, symmetrical about the wheel centreline)
• Spoke Profile: Straight radial geometry from hub to rim flange with minimal draft angle to maximise section depth-to-weight ratio
• Weight: Approximately 5.6–7.2 kg at 17×8J (varies by exact specification and diameter)
• Available Widths: 5J–14.5J across the full diameter range
• Lug Nut Specification: M12×1.25 or M14×1.5 (vehicle dependent)
• Country of Manufacture: Japan — all forging, machining and finishing performed at RAYS facilities

1996 to Present: The Engineering Legacy of the TE37

RAYS Engineering was founded in Osaka in 1973 originally as a manufacturer of cast aluminium components for motorcycle applications. The transition to passenger car wheels came through motorsport supply contracts in the 1980s, and by the early 1990s RAYS had established the VOLK RACING sub-brand as the performance arm of the business. The TE designation — widely understood within the tuning community to reference "Touring Edition" or "Track Edition" — first appeared on the TE37 in 1996, though RAYS has never confirmed a specific etymology for the letters. What is documented is that the wheel was developed in parallel with JGTC competitor programmes and that its introduction coincided with RAYS securing supply contracts with factory-affiliated racing teams in Japan.

The TE37 spoke geometry is deliberately rectilinear. Where competitors used curved or bifurcated spokes for visual differentiation, RAYS kept the TE37 radially straight because straight spokes allow the section modulus to be calculated precisely along the entire length without the complication of curvature-induced bending moments. The practical consequence is that RAYS engineers could predict exactly how much material needed to be present at each cross-section to sustain the design load case, and could remove every gram that was not structurally necessary. That disciplined approach to mass distribution — rather than any single material breakthrough — explains why the TE37 achieved and maintained its weight-to-stiffness ratio advantage for decades.

Documented Motorsport Applications — JGTC and Domestic Championships

The TE37 was fitted to circuit competition vehicles in Japanese domestic championships throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. In the Japan Grand Touring Car Championship, RAYS-supplied teams ran TE37 derivatives in configurations optimised for the wide-tread formats mandated by the series regulations at the time — typically 18×10J or 18×11J front with commensurate rear sizing, offset and PCD dictated by the specific subframe geometry of each platform. Recorded applications include Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34) builds running 5×114.3 PCD in the standard GT300 configuration, and Honda NSX platforms in 4-stud configurations with extended PCD adapters. The wheel's mechanical properties under endurance racing conditions — sustained loading through extended high-speed corners, thermal cycling through braking events, and kerb strikes — validated the forging specification before it was offered to the street market.

Watch the RAYS VOLK RACING TE37 in Action

Vehicle Fitment Guide — RAYS VOLK RACING TE37

The TE37 suits a broad range of platforms because its hub bore, PCD range, and offset depth cover the major Japanese domestic market specifications as well as many European performance vehicles. Common applications confirmed by RAYS authorised dealers include:

• Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ (ZD8) — 5×100 PCD, 17×7.5J or 18×8J, offset +40 to +48 typical fitment
• Honda Civic Type R (FL5) — 5×114.3 PCD, 19×9.5J or 20×10J depending on suspension setup
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (CT9A, CZ4A) — 5×114.3 PCD, 17×9J or 18×9.5J with appropriate offset for arch clearance
• Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR32, BCNR33, BNR34) — 5×114.3 PCD, 17×9J–18×10.5J, front and rear size difference standard
• Mazda RX-8 (SE3P) — 5×114.3 PCD, 17×8J or 18×8.5J, offset +40 to +48
• Volkswagen Golf GTI (MK7.5, MK8) — 5×112 PCD, 18×8J or 19×8.5J, 65.1 mm centre bore with hub ring
• BMW M2 / M3 (G87, G80) — 5×112 PCD, 19×9.5J front / 20×10.5J rear (staggered fitment), hub rings required

Fitment dimensions should always be verified against the specific vehicle's wheel arch clearance, suspension travel, caliper clearance, and hub specification before purchase. Hodoor World can provide assistance with fitment enquiries prior to order.

Bolt Pattern Availability Beyond Standard Listings

The TE37's production run across three decades has encompassed an unusually wide range of bolt patterns because RAYS has supplied the wheel to vehicle manufacturers and racing teams with non-standard hub configurations. Beyond the common 4×100, 5×100, 5×112, and 5×114.3 formats, documented production runs include 4×98 for Italian platform fitment, 5×120 for BMW and Land Rover platform applications, and 5×130 for Porsche-derived applications where the TE37's weight advantage over OEM alternatives was commercially significant. Contact Hodoor World with your vehicle details and we can determine whether your specific PCD has been produced and whether stock or an order is the appropriate route to sourcing.

Finish Chemistry and Surface Durability of the TE37

The Bronze finish — the most widely associated with the TE37 — is a tinted clear coat applied over a bare-machined alloy surface that has been oxide-etched to improve adhesion. The substrate roughness retained by the machining process creates mechanical interlocking between the alloy surface and the primer layer, so the finish does not rely solely on chemical bonding to the aluminium oxide layer. The Hyper Silver finish uses a polished-then-coated process in which the spoke faces are machine-buffed to a high specular reflectance before clear coating, producing a distinctly brighter appearance than the Bronze without altering the underlying alloy specification. Semi-Gloss Black is the preferred option for motorsport applications where glare management at track lighting rigs is a practical concern. All finishes are applied at RAYS's Japan facility and are covered under RAYS's manufacturer coating warranty for defects attributable to the application process rather than to corrosion from road contamination.

RAYS VOLK RACING TE37 vs Other RAYS Models — Configuration Comparison

RAYS VOLK RACING Forged Wheel Collection

• RAYS VOLK RACING TE37 — the original six-spoke monoblock forged standard, in production since 1996
• RAYS VOLK RACING TE37 SAGA S-plus — the evolved track-biased variant with revised spoke depth for modern tyre profiles
• RAYS VOLK RACING TE37SL — street legal specification with extended offset range and additional PCD options
• RAYS VOLK RACING ZE40 — five-spoke endurance platform for extended high-speed load cycles
• RAYS VOLK RACING RE30 — deep-dish five-spoke design for time attack and track day fitments
• RAYS VOLK RACING G25 — gran turismo performance wheel for luxury sport applications
• Browse all forged wheels at Hodoor World

Specifying a Custom Bolt Pattern or Non-Catalogue Configuration

If your vehicle platform falls outside the standard TE37 catalogue — an unusual PCD, a hub bore that does not correspond to any listed option, or an offset requirement at the extreme of the range — Hodoor offers a custom forged wheel manufacturing service that can accommodate non-catalogue specifications across a range of RAYS-approved manufacturing standards. The process involves submitting your vehicle's hub dimensions, desired offset, and finish specification; our team will verify feasibility with the RAYS production schedule and confirm lead time. You can also use our AI Wheel Design Service to visualise your concept before production begins.

How to Order RAYS VOLK RACING TE37 Wheels

To confirm a TE37 specification and place an order through Hodoor World:

1. Identify your vehicle's hub PCD, centre bore diameter, and lug thread specification from the owner's manual or a wheel data source for your chassis
2. Determine your desired diameter and width from the Available Sizes table above, referencing your arch clearance, suspension travel and brake caliper dimensions
3. Select a finish from the current available options (Bronze, Hyper Silver, Titan Silver, Semi-Gloss Black) — note that finish availability varies by production run
4. Contact Hodoor World via the enquiry channels on the product page with your specification to confirm stock or lead time for production runs
5. Allow lead time for orders fulfilled through the RAYS direct programme — typically 6–14 weeks for non-catalogue specifications

Questions About RAYS VOLK RACING TE37

Is the TE37 available in sizes beyond 24"?

The standard production range runs to 24". For diameters above 24", contact Hodoor World to enquire whether any special production runs are available through the RAYS direct order programme.

What is the weight of the TE37 at 18×8.5J?

Exact weight varies by specific run and PCD configuration, but 18×8.5J TE37 specimens typically measure 6.6–7.1 kg on a calibrated scale. RAYS publishes reference weights for common sizes in their product documentation.

Can the TE37 be used on public roads or is it a track-only wheel?

The TE37 is a street-legal wheel in standard specifications. It carries the necessary JWL/VIA certification for Japanese domestic use and meets ECE R124 standards for European market fitment where applicable.

How does the TE37 differ from the TE37 SAGA S-plus?

The SAGA S-plus introduced a revised spoke profile optimised for tyre profiles with taller sidewalls and a modified centre section for improved rotational inertia. The original TE37 retains the 1996 geometry and is valued by customers who specifically require the period-correct spoke shape for restoration or class-correct competition builds.

Are counterfeit TE37 wheels a concern?

Yes. The TE37 is one of the most widely counterfeited wheels in the aftermarket. Authentic examples carry a cast RAYS logo on the spoke face, a forging stamp on the inner barrel, and a quality sticker with a batch code. Purchasing from an authorised distributor such as Hodoor World eliminates exposure to counterfeit product.

About Hodoor World — Your Source for RAYS VOLK RACING

Hodoor World is a specialist wheel and performance parts retailer working directly with RAYS-authorised import networks to source authentic VOLK RACING product for customers worldwide. Every TE37 supplied through Hodoor World is sourced through channels that guarantee Japanese manufacture origin certification and comes with the documentation necessary to verify authenticity. Our team can assist with specification advice, fitment confirmation, and coordinating shipment to your location. Contact us through the enquiry form on this page or reach the Hodoor World team via the contact channels listed at hodoor.world.

RAYS VOLK RACING TE37 — Wheel Care and Maintenance

The TE37's forged construction provides excellent resistance to the mechanical stresses of road and track use, but the clear coat finish requires routine attention to maintain appearance. Wash with pH-neutral wheel cleaner and a soft brush, avoiding alkaline products that can etch the tinted clear coat on Bronze and Titan finishes. Brake dust is mildly acidic when wet and should be removed promptly from spokes and barrel surfaces. For track use, inspect spoke roots and rim flanges for stress marks after each event. RAYS recommends annual torque verification on lug nuts and periodic inspection of the bead seating surface where the tyre contact area may develop micro-corrosion from seasonal moisture cycling.

RAYS VOLK RACING TE37 — International Delivery

Hodoor World ships RAYS VOLK RACING wheels internationally via established freight partners with experience handling large-format performance wheel shipments. Wheels are crated individually to prevent surface contact damage during transit. Export documentation, including certificates of origin where required for customs clearance, is prepared at the time of dispatch. Delivery timelines and shipping cost depend on your destination country, the quantity ordered, and whether the specification is in stock or requires a production order through the RAYS direct programme. Contact Hodoor World via the product page for a delivery estimate to your location before confirming purchase.