Year one cast snowflakes for Trans AM(widened)

[gmcdermit1]

I am on the hunt for wheels for my 79 T/A and bang for the buck think the year one snowflakes are a bargain. My problem is they only make em in 17x9 and I mini tubbed it. What do you guys think of getting a set and have the back two drop shipped to some place such as Weldcraft and having the back two wheels widened to a 17x11 all to the inside of course. I could then go with a 315 or 335 tire on the back with a great looking wheel. This seems to be a great option, 749.99 for the wheels and 300 or so to widen em.Under 1200 bucks for the set wouldn't be bad and it would be different. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? I love the forgeline TA3's or the ccw classics but can't touch a set for that price. I know they are very nice and I would love to have some of those but these fit the budget and get me the fat tires on the back. Does any one know of any other mesh wheels in 17 or 18 inch sizes that are reasonably priced?

[724tim]

try tires.com

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...&wd=18&rw=&fcb=*

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...heel&x=30&y=17

[gmcdermit1]

Thanks for the links. I hadn't yet saw those options. They appeared to be corvette rims and would probably have some funny offsets for my car that would require spacers.

[formula]

realistically i think the YO cast flakes, with the backs widened, are your best bet by far. For the price, they're pretty nice quality and will look way cool with fat tires on the back like that.

[srh3trinity]

I hate to give away my plans, but look at the New Gen Anarchy. That is what I will likely do on my Firebird.

[wellis77]

Definitely a hot wheel. If it were available in 6 lug I'd own a set myself.

[gmcdermit1]

I definitely like those wheels a bunch, but still ddon't think they can compete with the widened 17" snowflakes for the money. I saw where it said starting at 395 per wheel. That is not to bad but that is the STARTING price. If I had them I would want to highlight the background in the centers like the snowflakes or as I've seen the TA3's done. The wheels have to be just right on a bird. I think a great mesh wheel is just an important part of those cars. I am very glad to see the anarchy com to the market and will at least get a quote.

[WS6]

Are you sure you can widen a cast aluminum wheel? If so, great idea and keep us posted on how they turn out.

[Rhino]

Yep, a few friends that wanted OEM wheels widened have had this done. I'm very impressed with the quality of work that weldcraft does. Can't speak for any others.
http://www.weldcraftwheels.com/

[FirstGenZq8]

sounds like more trouble than it's worth to buy the wheels, pay to have 2 shipped to weldcraft, pay weldcraft, and pay to have them shipped to you. i think in the end some 17" anarchy's are the better route, and driverzinc is top notch. maybe i'm not seeing the savings; list out the prices of everything - YO wheels, shipping X 2, etc.

[gmcdermit1]

Well, I was going to have them shipped directly to weldcraft when I order them and the shipping from weldcraft in michigan to me in ohio is not bad at all. The anarchys are starting at $395 a wheel so by the time you get the wider widths it will definitely jump up. The year ones are 750 plus shipping plus weldcraft said for 2.5 inches to the inside it would be 200 a wheel which puts it at 1150 plus shipping. At the lowest price of 395 it would be 1580 plus shipping.

[gmcdermit1]

I just talked to John at driverzinc (very helpful and informative guy) and he said I would be looking at around 3800 bucks with wheels and tires for 18's in the anarchy. That is significantly higher than I had anticipated spending but as I know we aren't comparing apples to apples with the cast wheels to these. My wife may play a big role in my final decision????????????????????HMMMM

[edog1]

If you decide to have them widened it wouldnt be a bad idea to have an extra one done for use as a replacement in the future.

[srh3trinity]

I just talked to John at driverzinc (very helpful and informative guy) and he said I would be looking at around 3800 bucks with wheels and tires for 18's in the anarchy. That is significantly higher than I had anticipated spending but as I know we aren't comparing apples to apples with the cast wheels to these. My wife may play a big role in my final decision????????????????????HMMMM

I didn't realize that it would be that much different in price on the New Gen's. They are still an awesome wheel and a better deal than most of our options for a nice mesh wheel. I will be interested in seeing how the widenened wheel comes out. I am building a '74, so I am not going for the exact same look as the snowflakes, but I do like the look of a nice mesh wheel. Keep us posted, I am going to be walking this same path and I will be looking for reasonably priced options.

[richiedd]

Well, I was going to have them shipped directly to weldcraft when I order them and the shipping from weldcraft in michigan to me in ohio is not bad at all. The anarchys are starting at $395 a wheel so by the time you get the wider widths it will definitely jump up. The year ones are 750 plus shipping plus weldcraft said for 2.5 inches to the inside it would be 200 a wheel which puts it at 1150 plus shipping. At the lowest price of 395 it would be 1580 plus shipping.

GM - those wheels are 17 x 9 right? Adding 2.5 " would make them 11.5" wide. Will Weldcraft give you whatever backspacing that you want? Also, can you say from your discussion with them if they would do say an additional 2.0" to give an 11.0 wide wheel with a custom backspacing?

I hope that this is something that pans out as it would be the answer that I have been hoping for!!!

Looking forward to your reply and updates on your plans.

Thanks,

Rich

PS The overall cost for the Anarchys jumped quite a bit to $3800 for the 18's. You didn't specify what tyres those were but can you indicate how much the 18's cost compared to the 17's? Thanks.

[wellis77]

I've spoken with Weldcraft before about doing some wheels and they can weld to the front and rear of the rim. If you do the front, you would need to have them refinished. Weldcraft does not do refinishing. Since I wasn't talking with them about the snowflakes, I don't know for sure if they can weld to the front of those or not. But the aluminum wheels I was looking at had room enough to do it. It's worth a call to them, and if they can weld to the front, you get any back space you want.

[gmcdermit1]

Yes weldcraft can weld to either side but then you would have to get them refinished. I was going to do all the widening to the inside. I would love to have more lip and change offsets but this will dramatically change the price as well. I do believe I may need to do a full 12" wide wheel to work with the 335's though. I know they won't be the really cool 2 or 3 piece custom wheels, but they will be really cool for a cast wheel and will be timeless on that car!

[richiedd]

Well, the wheels are what, 4.75 or 4.875 wide. So, if you go to 12" all on the inside your back spacing becomes 7.75 or 7.875. That should be in the ball park of what you need. To get the b/s right, you may need to go a little less than 12" overall width (unless your b/s needs to be more than 7.875!). Am I on the right track?

If so, adding 2" on the inside would give me an 11" width with a b/s of say 6.75 to 6.875. From memory, that sort of flexibility would be in line with what I need.

Anyone has Weldcraft's number and contact person?

PS - I am assuming that the wheels would be perfect in terms of strength and being "true". Any views/experience on this?


Rich

[gmcdermit1]

iwant the wheels to be 11.5 or 12 inches wide because I definitely want to run a 335 on the back. I may be able to get away with an 11" wheel but I need to find that out.

[gmcdermit1]

Ordered the 17" cast snowflakes in silver today and had two of them drop shipped to Weldcraft to be widened to 17x12. I also ordered my tires, kumho's were the cheapest with a decent review from tire rack.275 40 17's for the front and 335 35 17's for the back. I couldn't go wrong, wheelsd shipped from year one $880,tires from tire rack $790 and $450 widening and shipping.Total $2120. I know they aren't bad ass billet wheels but they are big, will look cool and be timeless on the car. It fits my somewhat low budget build perfectly while modernizing it a bunch.