Opinion on poor boy wheels

[critter]

Being poor forces one to be creative. I've been looking around for a way to put some 17 or 18 inch wheels on my second generation Trans Am. Of course having a vinyl top complicates things. I was searching the internet and found some BMW take off wheels that might work for my application so I Photochopped them on. So, what about these on my car?

[formula]

hey buddy,

the big issue will be the backspacing--you'll have to run wheel adapters for sure.

Outside of that, it's not a bad idea--i've seen it done on first gens. Since the bolt pattern is actually ever-so-slightly different, it's not a good idea for a race car, but for a street car it'd be fine.

here they are on a first gen...

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...heels+firebird

and on a second gen camaro....

http://www.pro-touring.nl/

(jump to page 20 or so)

[Tom Welch]

Dont get in a rush to do this, take the time to study your options carefully, once you pull the trigger on this it wont be easy to go back unless the seller is willing to take the wheels back if they dont fit, of course you cant put a tire on the rim, but you can test fit the wheel on the car. I did this with several wheels befor I determined the final size and spacing.

[mjoc1]

don't like them myself look for late 3rd gen or fourth gen wheels. With some spacers

Mike

[critter]

More mental meanderings:

[formula]

I like the dark spoke look, especially with the bright outer hoops like that--all-dark wheels tend to be too much for me. I think that compliments your top nicely.

reminds me a little of bill howell's new car....

[critter]

That's one great looking Mopar.

HMMMmmm. Maybe I should dye that top black on my car. That would make the wheels work better?

[formula]

or just paint the wheels dark blue?

Actually, I don't think they need to match exactly to look good together. If you did the wheels a dark gray instead of actually black, the blue and gray together would go very well without looking like a giant bruise.

[John Wright]

I am in the same boat in regards to spending a fortune for wheels...I ended up with some 17" steel(read heavy) truck wheels from Cragar, but they got my car off the jackstands and onto the ground..plus they clear my C5 brakes.

Not much to look at but they are certainly affordable at roughly $60/rim from Summit racing.

[critter]

I had considered the steelies. The weight is atrocious though, isn't it?

One more in a spoke configuration:



I have to say that the black ones are growing on me. I wish they made some decent rubber in a 16 inch wheel and I'd simply use some GTA wheels from a third gen TA.

[John Wright]

Here is another option...
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...45&postcount=1

[critter]

I saw those but didn't much care for the style. It does seem like a good deal for someone though.

[whitess]

Last I heard the Rondell wheels like the ones on the Firebird weren't being imported anymore but if you
go to ebay and look for wheels made by ADR (BMW wheels) they have one called a M Classic (ADR-42)
10 spoke wheel that is similar just has rivets. These are 5x120 so they'll definitely need an adapter. The
place selling them says they don't have them in silver but this place does in both 17x8.5 / 40mm offset
and 18x8.5 - 9.5 / 40mm:
http://www.bigwheels.net/?location=w...assic%20Silver
You might also check out the ADR M Sport wheel on ebay or the place above, it's a 7 spoke wheel They're
available in 18x8.5 and 9.5 / 35mm. The place above doesn't show any package of 4 prices but if you're
interested give 'em a call. A search on ebay for 17" chevrolet wheels will bring up 5 spoke wheels in 17x8
and 9 with 0 mm offsets, the company is called Custom Wheels Market here's their website:
http://customwheelsmarket.com/whforchca19t.html
Also look up Corvette wheels on ebay there's a bunch, they'll need adapters too because of the offsets.
With all of these you find ones, depending on the wheel, that are chrome, silver, hypersilver, gunmetal
and black. Here's a Corvette one that I haven't seen on ebay that has a deep lip, there's also a black version
w/o rivets:
http://www.oewheelsllc.com/Corvette-...39460-3-1.html
(I think I may have way too much free time on my hands!)
Larry.

[MonzaRacer]

If you use hubcentric rings, using 5x120 rims on a 5x120.7 (5x4 3/4 ) as the hole difference is only 0.013 per stud.
Average variance in stock gm lugstuds after being used or installed by hande can be upwards of 0.025 so the bend is minimal.
But the offset is issue to.
Also check out this site: http://www.finishlinewheels.com/spec...HEVY+CORVETTE/

[critter]

I figure I'll need wheel adapters so if I can adjust for hubcentric based on the adapter, correct?

[John Wright]

one thing to keep in mind with adapters....be aware that the adapters can cost enough to negate any savings you might experience on the wheels, so you could have ended up purchasing a set of rims with the correct offset(s) in the end.

[critter]

Good point. Thanks for the heads up.

[PRRC]

Hey, Guys I have a solution that you my want to take advantage of.
Yes money is tight for everyone right now.
So we are still offering the free Lay away plan we have in the past. all we ask for is 10% down. No gimmicks, No interest, You pay as you want. You wheels will be ordered at the time of your pay off.
We have had several people us it in the past. And its worked great.
Don't settle for a wheel that just works, Get the wheels you want on your terms of payment.
And watch for our new web site to launch the day before Thanksgiving.

[critter]

I didn't do this for the longest time. I resisted because I felt they'd be too common but I've broken down and 'shopped the Boss338 wheel on my car. I'm low rent enough to admit I like it.




Better in black:



And they make these to fit my car without adapters. Hmmm...

[Taylor1969]

Hey, Guys I have a solution that you my want to take advantage of.
Yes money is tight for everyone right now.
So we are still offering the free Lay away plan we have in the past. all we ask for is 10% down. No gimmicks, No interest, You pay as you want. You wheels will be ordered at the time of your pay off.
We have had several people us it in the past. And its worked great.
Don't settle for a wheel that just works, Get the wheels you want on your terms of payment.
And watch for our new web site to launch the day before Thanksgiving.

I never understood layaway myself... why not just keep the money in a cookie jar at home?