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Hey F-Body guys! Especially 4th gen... (wheel sourcing)


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So, figured I'd throw this out there to see what everyone is running for wheels, I know it has been discussed kind of randomly in other threads.

 

I'm thinking of a group buy or something if there is enough interest....

 

Stock 17" 4th gen wheels run in the 52-56mm offset range, I've personally been running the 84-86 Vette Specific offset of 38mm in a 17 X 9.5", this pushes the wheel out approx 5/8" over stock per corner. I feel it has been working well, the wheels are still flush to slightly tucked so no issues with them poking out.

 

What type of offset are you 3rd gen guys running? 

 

Here is my issue - those 38mm offset wheels are getting very hard to source, on top of that they are only cheap import wheels. I've never had a problem thus far, but it would be nice to step up to a mid-level priced wheel for safety and quality concerns. I do have a damaged one I need to replace, my other option is just get a 9.5" wide in the incorrect offset and make a spacer for that odd-ball. Not the worse thing in the world.

 

BUT - Enkei will do custom pattern sizing for very reasonable (or possibly for no additional charge) but the catch is you have to buy 10 sets. Is there enough interest out there in F-body land to make this a worthwhile idea? I was thinking the RPF1's (see pic). They'd come in at about 16.5 pounds per wheel and I'd trust them a ton more than the cheapy imports, they retail in the low 200's. 

 

I'm still researching other custom mfg. options as well. 

 

 

enkei.png

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I need 18" wheels that are 38-40+ offset or lower....  you know...  cause I got them huge calipers...  but yeah, I know of one set of 18x9.5" with 38 offset and they run me 640 bucks.  Otherwise I gotta run a spacer.

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1 hour ago, Justin9 said:

I need 18" wheels that are 38-40+ offset or lower....  you know...  cause I got them huge calipers...  but yeah, I know of one set of 18x9.5" with 38 offset and they run me 640 bucks.  Otherwise I gotta run a spacer.

 

Not that I want to go 18's, but what did you find w the correct bolt pattern in a 38mm offset? Might give me somewhere to snoop for 17" wheels... 

 

Another thing - if I get stoopid and buy 8-10k of wheels I would probably round up to a 10" wide wheel... Adding .250 to each side of the wheel would be fine and make it that much better for a 255-275 wide tire.

 

Oh man Stacey would LOVE that delivery going in the garage 😂

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/18x9-5-Gunmetal-Wheel-OE-Performance-121-2010-Corvette-ZR1-5x4-75/362330953267?epid=1122977235&hash=item545c9b9633:g:O78AAOSwgcVbCF60

 

Same ones I had the first time around that melted back in October...   they fit perfect with my big calipers... these are 40+

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12 hours ago, pintodave said:

Wow, those are a decent price. I hate the extra weight but if it means getting wheels easier...

Look at it this way, it's like we are running restrictor plates so everyone can keep up

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@Justin9 found a guy in S. Fla that was advertising the replicas, he was able to find me one out of a warehouse in Cali but he said that production of the replicas in 38mm 17x9.5's are doneski after this batch is out. Starting to get pricey too - $250 delivered, about pooped myself. These too used to be in the 150's... The other offsets are probably still that cheap, I'll just have to make spacers in the future or figure out plan B. 

 

At least I'm back up to 2 full sets, crisis averted for the moment. 

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3 minutes ago, Justin9 said:

18...18...18...

 

Maybe eventually (looks like I'll be forced into it)... $250 was bad enough, but solved my problem w/o spending the $$$ on 4 wheels total and the extra bucks on the tires...

 

Edit: did you ever weigh an 18 before they got damaged? Or is there a published weight on those? You save a couple pounds on the tire (depending on the size), just didn't know how much extra the wheel weighed. Might come out in the wash. But the Z3's in 18" are about $300 more for a set. Oof. 

 

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42 minutes ago, pintodave said:

 

Maybe eventually (looks like I'll be forced into it)... $250 was bad enough, but solved my problem w/o spending the $$$ on 4 wheels total and the extra bucks on the tires...

 

Edit: did you ever weigh an 18 before they got damaged? Or is there a published weight on those? You save a couple pounds on the tire (depending on the size), just didn't know how much extra the wheel weighed. Might come out in the wash. But the Z3's in 18" are about $300 more for a set. Oof. 

 

No, I never weight them, never worried about the wheels though...  one 14" rotor weighted more than both my kids combined...

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2 hours ago, pintodave said:

 

Anyone have any input or experience or testing data to prove there is no reason to be freaked out?

Oh no, there is. I had the bolts that fasten the adapter base to the hub loosen up on me. The instructions that came with mine explicitly said "No Loctite," which I mistakenly followed. Once I red loctite'd them on, no trouble.  

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11 minutes ago, Bandit said:

18 inch tahr prices make me pucker.

 

315 17's are bad enough.

 

Didn't you crack a OE wheels ZR1 @pintodave ?

 

18's are definitely expensive, would like to avoid it if possible...

 

We did crack a wheel, but there was damage, it wasn't just an outright failure. In a weird spot being on the inside edge, but it was likely a 2 off with the wheels turned and it caught the edge of a rumble strip? I'll post up a picture. Other than this, they've been pretty durable and taken a few shots and lived.

 

On 7/2/2018 at 6:21 PM, cagedruss said:

I use CTW Motorsports wheels on my 3rd gen. 17"x 9.5". Not cheap but they are 19lbs each and very strong. I bent a lip 90 degrees and the wheel doctor was able to true it up fairly easy. 

 

Thanks!! I'll hit them up and see what kind of offsets they have available. 

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4 minutes ago, pintodave said:

 

 

We did crack a wheel, but there was damage, it wasn't just an outright failure. In a weird spot being on the inside edge, but it was likely a 2 off with the wheels turned and it caught the edge of a rumble strip? I'll post up a picture. Other than this, they've been pretty durable and taken a few shots and 

Good to know. For around 130 bux they are a screaming deal.

 

Wish the tires weren't 100 bux more.  😐

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On 6/28/2018 at 11:56 AM, Justin9 said:

I guess using the adapter would save me about 3-400 per set of wheels, because 5x114.3 is everywhere...

I stay away from adapters. Increase the load on the hubs/bearings due to pushing the wheel out.

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Just now, pintodave said:

If you can use the 50-whatever offsets, yes they are a very good deal for sure. Unfortunately the 38's are drying up <_<

Different control arms and mid 70's 8.5 makes deep wheels work.

 

Deeper in the wheel is good.

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