Tight budget 3rd gen N ova wheels?

[brownz]

What would be some good wheels to look for to put on my 72 Nova? I will be doing some c5 front brakes and ls1 rear brakes once I find some but I will need 17in wheels to clear them.

Maybe get some factory camaro wheels from a 4th gen and use adapters? This is a tight budget build but I do want something that will look good on the car

Thanks

[srh3trinity]

Cragar soft 8's?

[brownz]

would like to stick with a aluminum wheel.

[Tom Welch]

vintage Wheel Works, excellent quality, they do fit the c5/6 brakes. We have a set on our 69 Nova.

[cornfedbill]

Discount tire gave me a great deal on a set of American Racing TTO's, 17X8 with 245/45R17 Goodyear Eagle GT's. I looked everywhere and could not beat the price. I found used wheels did not have the right offset (Corvette, third gen and fourth gen Camaro). I even tried 15 inch wheels, but could not find a decent handling tire.

These are going on my '74 Nova and should fit with no body modifications. They would probably fit your third gen Nova just fine.

Unfortunately, when I looked for "bargain" wheels, they ended up more expensive in the end. Just remember that even though they look a lot alike, the TTO's (Torq Thrust Original) are NOT the same as the TTII's (Torq Thrust II). The Torq Thrust II is much more expensive.

[tylers88]

What would be some good wheels to look for to put on my 72 Nova? I will be doing some c5 front brakes and ls1 rear brakes once I find some but I will need 17in wheels to clear them.

Maybe get some factory camaro wheels from a 4th gen and use adapters? This is a tight budget build but I do want something that will look good on the car

Thanks

Where are you located. A guy I used to work with put Z06 wheels on his 97 Vette and has his wagon wheels sitting in his shed. Im in northern IA. I added a pic, those are the same as his wheels(not his accual set), I believe they are 18s though.

62039

[brownz]

I would run vette wheels but would rather find a set that I can use without adapters and no rubbing issues.

[blakes72x]

well idk what your budget is but pretty sure these are all aluminum and very cheap for wheels

summit legends
boss 338
coys

depends on what sizes you want to run

make sure you measure as every car is different

[DarkoNova]

I have a 69 Nova and I was planning on getting the Summit Fast Five (I think?) wheels but they ended up discontinuing them so now they don't even make them anymore. But I just bought a percy's wheelrite and whenever my gf brings my jack back to my place, I'll be able to measure for front wheels. I have the stock front clip with AFX tall spindles and C5 brakes, and some mid to late 70's Nova or Camaro rear end. I already used the wheelrite on the rear axle and figured an 18x8 with about 5.25" of backspacing is perfect. I can go slightly larger to about an 18x9, but I don't remember the optimal backspacing.

When I get my second jack back next week I'll be able to figure out the best backspacing for the front wheels. I already plan on using a certain wheel (hopefully) if it will fit. It only comes in two sizes, 18x8 with 40mm offset and 18x8 with 20mm offset. I'm hoping to be able to use one of those for the fronts since the 40mm offset will fit in the rear, but I'll update this thread in a few days when I get my second jack back.

Oh, and the wheels are aluminum and about $120-ish a piece.

[LS1NOVA]

I was looking for affordable wheels too and ended up with Vintage Wheel Works. $300-375 a wheel and custom backspacing. Very happy with them and get a ton of compliments. I think they have a nice "vintage" look to them.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/042-1.jpg

[brownz]

I was looking for affordable wheels too and ended up with Vintage Wheel Works. $300-375 a wheel and custom backspacing. Very happy with them and get a ton of compliments. I think they have a nice "vintage" look to them.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/042-1.jpg



One of my all time favs!!! I wish VWW were in the budget...

[brownz]

Oh, and the wheels are aluminum and about $120-ish a piece.[/QUOTE]

spill the beans, LOL what are you looking at?

[Big Eddie]

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/wheels/mb_wheels/product/submitProductSize.do?pc=23193&tmn=Old+School&typ=Car%2FMinivan

[zombiekiller]

the boss 338s are not a bad deal. they are actually made in the us too!. Amazon has the 18 inch variant for 154 and if you're a prime member, free 2 day shipping! I'm running 18x8 fronts with a 255/45 front and a 18x9.5 rear with a 295/45.

I could have cracked the nut for custom wheels at 600-800 per, not had the scratch for a bunch of stuff, including better brakes and gotten MAYBE a 315 on the rear and a 275 on the front, but, For what I'd get out of the wider tires, I opted to get some 200 treadwear tires instead of 300s to give me a little more grip. I figure the grip difference will probably be negligible.

The backspacing is pretty good for muscle cars. my fronts are 5" of BS and the rears are 5" as well. The fronts end up pretty darn close to my upper balljoints, but they don't rub. Without custom backspacing, this was the best that i was going to get out of any mass marketed wheel.

not to mention the front tires clear the fender, even with the car slammed down a little over 3.5".

[brownz]

zombie,

what car do you have those wheels on? any pics

[zombiekiller]

zombie,

what car do you have those wheels on? any pics

I have them on my 66 galaxie. I'm current waiting on my tires to arrive in the mail. I borrowed a friend's that are the same size to test fit. I don't have any pics right now, but should be updating my thread in the next couple weeks as I start re-assembly.

[DarkoNova]

Oh, and the wheels are aluminum and about $120-ish a piece.

spill the beans, LOL what are you looking at?

They were these:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/voxmg3smlxl-1.jpg

Voxx MG-3's

I thought they looked pretty good for a super budget 5 spoke wheel. Unfortunately, even at a +20mm offset, they won't fit. I just measured and my 69 with stock control arms, a tall ATS spindle and C5 discs with an 18x8 +20 wheel, it would run right into the tie rods. The most I could on an 18x8 was 4.5" of backspacing. Any more and it hits the tie rods, any less and it would have fender clearance issues.

So, looks like that option's out. :(

[brownz]

Darko,

That sucks! not a bad looking wheel for the money. Im on the look out

[454ragtop]

I'm getting ready to order these for my 77 Grand Prix. http://www.ebay.com/itm/140804468464?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 They have a few different backspace options available, more than most cast wheels.
HTH, Jim

[DarkoNova]

I actually just found an awesome site for comparing wheel/tire sizes.

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

Using that, it looks like the Summit Racing Legend 5 wheels will fit...only problem is it's that same old Torq Thrust look.

Someone really needs to make a different 5 spoke design in a budget wheel.

[brownz]

I actually just found an awesome site for comparing wheel/tire sizes.

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

Using that, it looks like the Summit Racing Legend 5 wheels will fit...only problem is it's that same old Torq Thrust look.

Someone really needs to make a different 5 spoke design in a budget wheel.

Its real hard to find a wheel that works and that is simple and clean and not going to kill the wallet. Thanks for the link

[jy211]

craigslist.

[67goatman455]

http://oewheelsllc.com/Wheels_3/Wheels-for-Camaro_4

[BayouSS]

I like the look of the Centerline Meteor wheels on my Nova.


62957

62958


• Front - 17x8 with 5.5" backspace
• Rear - 17x9.5 with 6" backspace

[DarkoNova]

Those look pretty sweet. You sure that's 5.5" on the front and not 4.5"? Just doesn't seem right.

Also, seeing as how those are 2 piece wheels and prices aren't even listed on Centerline's site, I'm guessing they don't exactly fit as "budget" wheels...

[BayouSS]

Yes 5.5" backspacing with a Nitto NT555 - 245/45/ZR17 tire.

[brownz]

What are you suspension specs? Must be close to the upper control arm?

[LS1NOVA]

Must be close to the sway bar as well.

[BayouSS]

Global West Upper, DSE lower control arms and Hotchkis 1-1/8" sway bar. 2" Hotchkis drop springs.
Have not noticed any problems.

[BBC71Nova]

Bill,

What brakes are you running up front? I'm trying to get wheels figured out and the older wilwood kit I have pushes the wheels out 3/4". That's gonn require me to run more backspace. Otherwise it seems like 4.5-4.75 is generally what is recommended for an 8" wheel up front.

Thanks!

[Henshman]

BayouSS, I like those too!
What are you running for rear suspension?
Do I see "572" on the fender?
Nice.

[jpgolf14]

What would be some good wheels to look for to put on my 72 Nova? I will be doing some c5 front brakes and ls1 rear brakes once I find some but I will need 17in wheels to clear them.

Maybe get some factory camaro wheels from a 4th gen and use adapters? This is a tight budget build but I do want something that will look good on the car

Thanks

What wheel width and backspace are you looking for? I'm not to familiar with the Novas.

[BayouSS]

BBC I missed your post , sorry.

The brakes are from Touring Classics (no longer in business) front 13" Hybrid kit (C4 rotors/C5 calipers) and 12" rear kit.
Front:
Touring Classics 13" Corvette C5/C4 Hybrid manual disc brakes
• Dual Piston PBR Corvette C5 calipers
• Drilled/slotted 13" Corvette C4 rotors
Rear:
Touring Classics 12" manual disc brakes
• PBR single piston aluminum calipers with built-in parking brake
• Drilled/slotted 12" rotors

Tobin at Kore3 knows this system if you were looking for something similar.

Henshman,

The rear suspension right now consists of - welded sub frame connectors with 1.5" Drop leafs, Hotchkis HD Shackles, poly bushings and traction bars which has performed well but I am changing it over to Ride Tech Bolt on 4 Bar with their Coil Overs. I have seen some good reviews on this suspension and after talking to Scott Mock (http://vintageracingandperformance.com) he talked me into it. Scott is a Ride Tech Dealer and gave me a good price on the kit and great advice on the install. I will be installing that along with a Fast EZ EFI fuel injection system and a new Ricks VaporWorx Stainless Steel Fuel Tank over the next month or so.
Yes it does have a 572