Year One 17 inch snowflakes

[Jeremy]

Here's some quick pics of the Year One snowflakes. The car is dirty, but I am ecstatic with how the wheels look. As good is it looked with the Rondell's, these look awesome. The silver is lighter than I imagined but looks real good. The center register of the axle did not protrude enough to catch the wheel, but no vibration up to 50 mph. I will be contacting Moser to see if they can make a ring for me to fit inside their axle, just to be safe.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img6.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sf1az7.jpg)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img6.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sf2ke5.jpg)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sf3ot0.jpg)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img6.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sf4cx4.jpg)


BTW, the Rondell 17 x 8.5 that was on the car weighed 27.5 pounds, the YO snowflake 27 and a factory 15 x 7 snowflake weighed 21.

[ed1le]

That looks great

[FirstGenZq8]

the Rondell 17 x 8.5 that was on the car weighed 27.5 pounds, the YO snowflake 27 and a factory 15 x 7 snowflake weighed 21.

car looks great! those the cast 17X9 YO snowflakes, right?

[CRead01]

Those are awesome.

[billz428]

What size tires?

[Roger M]

Looks good. They did a nice job on replicating the originals. IMHO you should put a tire on that has a taller sidewall.. and drop the car about 2 inches. Just my .02

[ProTouring442]

They look very nice!!!

Now they need to make a new version of the Trans Am Turbo wheel...

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[Jeremy]

I would like to find a tire with a taller sidewall and right now it looks like Nitto 555's in 255/50/17 will be at the top of the list when I get new tires.

As for dropping it, it might look a little better but I drive my car a lot and right now, the front suspension is pretty close to centered in its travel at ride height. The frame rails are level so things are pretty much where I want them.

By the time we add a tool kit, luggage for two, and two bodies, for trips the rear drops a little bit.

As with everything, there is a compromise. I set mine up for max suspension travel in both directions for the best ride. If I lower the front, I just don't have much left for bumps. For me, I wasn't willing to sacrifce ride quality for looks.

I would love to see a 275 or 285/45/17 as that will get me a taller sidewall, much closer to the factory overall tire/wheel height, and still fill out the 9 inch rims real well.

[BA.]

Looks Great!

[Phishfud]

I just got mine yesterday. Top notch job by YO on these. I'm a bit stumped on what tire to get though. I like the Nitto's, and am torn between the 275/50 or the 255/50, both of which are really close to the height of the factory size. Naturally I am concerned about the 275's being too wide, especially in the front. The 275's come in at 27.9" and the 255's at 27.1, so I could stagger them. Stock was 27.4. Now my car is lowered using Hotchkis springs, so about 1.5-2". I'd hate to get tires and realize I should have gotten a different size. I hate decisions like this.

[Jeremy]

Who makes the 275/50? I would love to see how a 255/50 looks on the 9 inch rim. I am afraid it will look a little "stretched."

I agree YO did a wonderfull job on these. I cleaned the car and I am stoked about the wheels. While I was at the park taking better pics, a couple people had to walk over to look at the car.

Here's some better pics:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/SF19-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/SF16-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/SF13-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/SF9-1.jpg

[Mossimo777]

Looks sweet. Too bad they didn't make these when I had my 'bird.

[Phishfud]

Nevermind the 275/50. Just checked and the ones I found are more for light trucks. I was afraid of the stretch look as well. The 275/40's are plentiful, but are almost 2 full inches shorter that the stock tires. I'm afraind it may not fill the wheelwell enough. What size you have on yours now?

[Jeremy]

275/40.

[Phishfud]

Well at least I know the 275's will fit up front. I may just have to go with the 275/40's as well. I'm not finding much else that's really close to the factory height.

[twoformulas]

Jeremy, are those the cast aluminum or the billet aluminum wheels? Also do those take the same lug nuts as the steel rally II wheels? Thanks, Rick

[Phishfud]

I did a bit of research, and the 285/40's are 26" tall, just a bit over an inch shorter than stock. I wonder of they would fit? Jeremy, based on how your 275's look, would it seem there might be room for the 285's?

[Jeremy]

They are factory lugs for snowflakes, but they are different than the factory lugs used on the Rally II's.

I see no reason why 285/40's won't work and when I need new tires, that will be what I am going with.

I haven't seen anything that is close clearance wise.

The only problem I am having is that the hub on my axle is not tall enough to catch the center bore of the wheel. It's not really a problem of the wheel or the axle, but a combination of the two aftermarket parts not working well together. Moser has been great getting me meaurements so I can find or have made a hubcentric ring that will press into the ending of the axle to correct the problem.

I have a vibration at 70 that was not present before the swap to the new wheels.

[Marauder]

Those look really nice. I'm wondering how they would look on my friend's son's new Fiero GT.

[Jeremy]

I think they'd look great on a Fiero, but I just don't know if a 9 inch rim would fit.

BTW I went back to my ws6 springs which dropped the rear about 1/2 per side. I then dropped the front to match and have to say things look much better.

[EagleEye]

cool, i was wondering what these would look like mounted.

they are on my list for my GP.
these and the 16x8 rallye II's from stockton

[Widetracker]

Do you know how much clearance these rims have the inside? I'm considering them for my '69, and trying to figure out what brakes will fit inside. Thanks!

[Randy67]

The spoke clearance is 1-3/16 near the hub and 2" at the rim side.

[Widetracker]

Y'all think these rims would clear regular c6 brakes on ats spindles? These are a lot more reasonable in price than then the billets are going for.

Thanks!

[buds87gn]

I like them, factory look kind of grew on me

[rlovell383]

That is one gorgeous trans am! :yum:

[Randy67]

Y'all think these rims would clear regular c6 brakes on ats spindles? These are a lot more reasonable in price than then the billets are going for.

Thanks!

I believe they would. My V45's only have 1" spoke clearance and they clear C5 calipers. The snowflakes have even more room at the spokes. I need a lighter set of autox wheels and am debating getting these. I wish they had a little more backspace, since the 5" bs 17x9 wheels (Crager soft 8's) I have are close to the front fender. But they are way cheaper than another set of V45's. Hmm, might be time for a little fender trimming.

[Widetracker]

I believe they would. My V45's only have 1" spoke clearance and they clear C5 calipers. The snowflakes have even more room at the spokes. I need a lighter set of autox wheels and am debating getting these. I wish they had a little more backspace, since the 5" bs 17x9 wheels (Crager soft 8's) I have are close to the front fender. But they are way cheaper than another set of V45's. Hmm, might be time for a little fender trimming.


Guys over in the PY forum are agreeing in concept.

[hmartin]

Sweet ride! Considering these wheels for my other project, they look awesome. :yum: By the way Lions Club park I see!

[redfire69]

They look very nice!!!

Now they need to make a new version of the Trans Am Turbo wheel...

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

X2! I'd love to find a modern version of these in 18's for my TA!!

[Jeremy]

I've since lowered it an inch all the way around and it looks much better. Hopefully we will get some nice days strung together and I'll get some new pics as I think it looks much better.

[twoformulas]

Jeremy, seeing your pics of the snowflakes on your car sold me on them for mine. Here is a pic of mine with them with 255/50's. I want to lower mine another inch front and back.

Thanks, Rick

[PonchoJohn]

Rick-
What's been done to your suspension-- is it factory worn out or lowered at all?
I think the 255 on the front, with a Hotchkis spring, will give the right amount of drop vs. looks vs. wheel travel for our 2nd gens.
Thanks!

[ProTouring442]

X2! I'd love to find a modern version of these in 18's for my TA!!

Yup... in my opinion they are the best looking factory wheel ever...

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[dmc69]

Here they are in larger sizes. From restore a muscle car website

http://www.motortopia.com/album/view/p/cars/t/vehicle/v/6436/a/15664/i/platinum_bandit_engine_build

[Jeremy]

Rick,

When you can, post a 3/4 shot of the wheel and tire and a full on tread shot. I think the 255/50 may be the best size for TA's but would like to see how the tread looks in relation to the rim.

One of my pet peeves is when the tread looks narrower than the rim and the sidewalls have to taper out to meet the wheel.

[EagleEye]

Jeremy, seeing your pics of the snowflakes on your car sold me on them for mine. Here is a pic of mine with them with 255/50's. I want to lower mine another inch front and back.

Thanks, Rick


rick, are those the 17's?

if so, i really like that look. i may just have made a final decision. woohoo.

[twoformulas]

PonchoJohn, I have stock springs with 1/2 coil removed and aluminum body bushings installed to lower the front 1/2" more than the stock ones. Jeremy, I have a pic on my home computer that I will post for you later. The sidewall is pretty much even with the outside of the wheel and the tire mounted on the wheel was just over 10" so it barely fits without looking stretched. EagleEye, yes, they are the Year One 17x9's. Rick

[joe440]

those rims are perfect on that car, looks great

[twoformulas]

Jeremy, here is a pic that shows the tire fit on the rim.

Rick

[Jeremy]

Looks good. I like the tread pattern. What brand of tires?

[twoformulas]

They are the Falken Ziex tires. they are all season but I have been pleased with them so far.

[O'Neall]

Jeremy,

Nitto 450s come in 275/50/17. LeighP over at Trans Am Country has them on his car (along with 255/50/17s up front). Looks good.

[devwil68]

great wheels, but the big fatties would have been really nice out back!

[Jeremy]

Here's some pics after the car has been lowered and inch all the way around and detailed finally.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/100_0444-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/100_0466-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/100_0503-1.jpg

[WS6]

I can't believe I missed this thread. Those rims look great. I think I'm going to have to go with them until I can afford the 18in billet ones. That will be a few years though. I'm going to be putting C5 brakes on the front sometime this year, so I'll need a rim that will clear.

I know YO is supposedly looking for someone to bring their car by for fitment with C5 brakes but has anyone tried it elsewhere in the country yet?