[Zyman]

A lot different in person due to the space between the spokes, the 2-piece construction and the different lip finish. Here is a link to US Mags site for the forged Bandit wheels. http://us-mags.com/bandit-u418-w-1318.htm

They also have a forged "Trans Am" wheel that even more closely follows a RII design http://us-mags.com/trans-am-u429-w-5713.htm

I believe all the pictures in this thread are the lower cost cast version. Restore a Muscle car has high quality photos of a 72 Lucy Blue TA with the 18*9 cast wheels and red PMD center caps.

[Will]

Hmm, the forged ones look pretty good too. The "Trans Am" definitely looks more like a factory RII but I think I like the Bandit design better - it's just a cleaner design but that's just my PO.

Anyone know what the difference between a "soft lip" and a "traditional lip" is?

[tolerico]

Traditional lip is a step lip design (photo below).


The soft lip is one smooth lip.

[critter]

Will, FYI, I'm looking at a full set of the Bandit 18X9s on my TA once the re-paint is finished. I'm done racing my car so weight isn't a factor and I like it better than the traditional rally II design. My only concern is that it becomes such an "overdone" wheel like the TT2 did back in the early 2000's. No matter where you looked, there was that wheel.

[Will]

Thanks tolerico.

Yeah Critter, I can see that being a concern. I too remember when every car had TT2s on them! I think in this case we might see every Pontiac with Bandits on them... LOL.

I had originally been thinking of going with these:



They will do custom finishes and one of the options they offer is a polished face with black anodizing, so imagine these with a polished face on the spokes:



I think it would look really sharp.

Not sure if my bank account can handle it though. Even though I don't plan to race the Formula competitively (it will see some strip and autocross action just for fun), I still want the best braking and acceleration I can get within the constraints of the project goals and wheel weight plays a BIG role in braking, acceleration, and overall ride quality.

[critter]

Photochopped them onto my car to get an idea of what I thought. I'm not finding much else I like out there. You'd think with the 1000s of models made by all these manufacturers there would be more to choose from.

[b-man]

I know these aren't even close to the same styling as all the wheels shown here in this thread, but I thought some of you might want to see one of the affordable high-quality lightweight wheels available out there. I bought mine for $358 each several years ago and the price has since gone down to $335.

After doing some internet research I found an 18X9" wheel spec'd for a 2008 BMW Z4 rear fitment, the 5 on 120 mm bolt pattern is plenty close enough to the GM 5 on 4.75 to work (120.65 mm).

18X9" O.Z Racing Ultraleggera, 40 mm offset/6.57" backspace, weight is 20.8 pounds. It's very hard to find a lightweight cast wheel in this size.

One thing I found out later after purchasing these, they will clear the huge C6 Z06 calipers. Before upgrading to the Z06 brakes (14" and 13.4" rotors) I downloaded and printed the templates from the KORE3 website to check for fit.

I will be replacing the chrome lug nuts with black ones.

[Will]

B-man - am I seeing a spacer there? With 6.75" backspacing I'd guess you need to run one...?

I had to run 1-1/2" spacers on those '00 WS6 wheels I put on my '73 as they had just about the same amount of backspacing.

[b-man]

Will, in the front I'm using a spacer/adapter that is 1.063" thick, effectively reducing the wheel backspacing to right about 5.5" from the true 6.57" wheel measurement.

The 6.57" (not 6.75") backspacing works perfectly as-is for the rear and allows me to use 5 of the same size wheels. I really have no choice other than to have a full-size spare in the trunk because of the brakes, but with the big A-body trunk it fits easily.

Bart

[77sjgp]

Pulling this back up. Just got my Bandits installed on my GP. 18 X 8 w/ 255-45-18's all around. Also lowered it, drop spindles in the front, and some cargo coils I pulled out of a Chevelle parts car years ago, seem to be made for it.
Jim

[twov8sandat4]

Originally Posted by 77sjgp

Pulling this back up. Just got my Bandits installed on my GP. 18 X 8 w/ 255-45-18's all around. Also lowered it, drop spindles in the front, and some cargo coils I pulled out of a Chevelle parts car years ago, seem to be made for it.
Jim

The car is so big, the wheels look like they came from the factory

Looks awesome

[Josue]

Love these wheels, but it's disappointing not seeing more 1st gen Firebirds with them! I need someone to pave the way for me!! haha

[Josue]

Found a nice deal on these, figured I'd give them a shot! 17X8 in front, 18X9 in back.





Before...



After...

[mbwicz1]

Looks good, a couple of questions:

1. What did you do for the center caps? Is it just PMD stickers on the bandit centers, or is there an adapter to fit the OEM center caps?

2. Did you paint the centers, or is that the color that you got them in? If you painted them, which color did you use?

3. what size tires and brand did you use? I like them because they are not super short sidewalls.

4. Huge improvement in response and handling compared to the old wheels/tires?

5. Where did you get them? I assume they are the cast versions, right?

6. Any issues balancing them?

Nice looking firebird, the wheels really transform the car. Well done.

Mike

[Josue]

Thanks! These aren't my "dream wheel", but I doubt I'll ever have $3000-$5000 to plop down on a set of billet or forged wheels, let alone WANT to spend that much even if I had it to spend. These caught my eye a few months ago when I first saw the design, and when this set came up for sale for a decent price, I jumped on them.

1. These are the actual PMD center caps. The previous owner did some custom work to make them fit. I'll have to grab some pictures of how he did it...

2. I'm pretty sure this is the color they came in. If the PO did paint them, he didn't tell me. I usually only saw the black background, but I'm digging this grey.

3. The fronts are an all season Nitto NT850, 225/50/17, and the rears are Nitto NT555R drag radial, 305/40/18.

I'm likely going to play around with different tires and sizes eventually. I'd rather have a high performance summer tire on there than an all season, since this is a fair weather car. And, the car is piss slow, so drag radials in the rear are not necessary at this point in time. haha I'd like to go with something smaller out back too, this 305 is monstrous! With the staggered setup it has now, plus the size of the drag radial, it reminds me of those outrageous old school drag setups....where the car is all jacked up in the back with air shocks, and the tires are sticking out 4" past the quarter. haha

4. I just bought these last night, and test fit 2 of them today, so no drive time yet. The car is put away for the season, and I'll need to address some stuff before I can take it out next year. The studs are a little short for my comfort level, and I need different lug nuts for these wheels.

5. I bought them off the classifieds of another forum. And yes, these are the cast versions.

6. Hopefully they're in balance! I won't find out until spring.

[Josue]

Here's a pic of how the previous owner installed the PMD center caps.

[Captainofiron]

Josue, any rubbing issues (potential) in the back with that wide of a tire?

it looks pretty sick

[Josue]

Oh, it would have been a total disaster to run those!! I ended up selling all 4 tires on Craigslist to fund a set that fit my car better. Here's my build thread, with the new setup.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=788348

And yes, with the new 275/35/18's in the back, and the narrower 8.5 10 bolt rear end, I still rub in the back. But, my suspension is SUPER sloppy, and I'm pretty much riding on leaf springs only in the back. The car has 20 year old air shocks on it that don't hold air, so they're worthless!

I bet it would be fine if I rolled my fender lips too, they're like an inch wide!

[critter]

Bringing this back to the top. I think it will work but I need everyone's opinion. Bandits, 18X9 all around with 275 rear and 255 front. Going on a 1974 TA. This car has the 1LE brake package on the front and the rears converted to the later WS6 disc style. All good?

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by critter

Bringing this back to the top. I think it will work but I need everyone's opinion. Bandits, 18X9 all around with 275 rear and 255 front. Going on a 1974 TA. This car has the 1LE brake package on the front and the rears converted to the later WS6 disc style. All good?

No problem clearing the brakes, that's for sure. And yes, I believe you would be good. Two areas you might have to watch, the top inner fender bolts on the front, might have to remove those. Depending on if it's lowered or not, and the rate springs you have.

And 74 I think was the first year for the lump in the rear outer wheel houses.

Here's Herb's notes regarding the seat belt bump and rolling lips.

EDIT: Sometimes with deep offsets (towards the inside of car) on the front, the wheel can make contact with the upper control arm, and sometimes the tire with the sway bar. (full lock)

.