[RocktimusPryme]

Im looking to add 17" wheels. or maybe a staggered 18 rear 17 front. You can buy torque thrusts, rally 2 clones, a few others all day long for 150-250 a wheel. But it sure seems to me that all of the budget companies, American Racing, Vision, Riddler, US Mag, even the cheaper line of Foose wheels all just sell copies of the same 5 or 6 wheels. Then for any other model the price jumps dramatically, like more than double. Can it really be as popular as pro-touring is right now that nobody offers any wheels for that niche in the $1000-1250 per set range?

I really want a set that sort of mimics a deep dish version of c5 Z06 wheels. Not at all uncommon so you would think someone would have a reasonable set out there.

Like these

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/w...b48a/overview/

even better the Rushforth Night Train

http://www.pro-touring.com/attachmen...5&d=1351267789


The closest I have found is a 10 spoke that pretty much all of the brands I mentioned above make, but still isnt exactly what Im looking for. Good price with tires though.

http://www.wheelsforless.com/TW1217789063

[The Champ]

We purchased Billet Specialties "Win Lite" wheels from Newstalgia Wheel in Chatanooga, TN - 423-899-0227



We put 17x8's on the from and 17x9.5 on the rear. They are more expensive than the less expensive wheels you list above, but less than your examples. These are available in custom backspace and built to order for you.

The 17x8's were $420 each and the 17x9.5's were $435 each. Complete with lugs, washers, chrome valves stems - $1778 delivered.

For some reason, I can't get to newstalgiawheel.com right not - I end up at an ebay store. That's why I put their phone number up above. I worked with Alex and he was very knowledgeable.

[RocktimusPryme]

Yeah Im familiar, I think they have decided to just become an Ebay store, they are one of the only vendors that carried those rushforth wheels I linked. I tried to access their site the other day and it just sent me to ebay. Now it seems you can only buy those Rushforth wheels on special order from the mfg website.

I do like those btw, and yeah I could step up to the next level. but man Im just shocked that there isnt something like what Im looking for in the same price range as a nice set of TTIIs or even the more expensive Year One Rally IIs. I feel like I have to be missing something.

[JLMounce]

The Weld Forged line of wheels is a good compromise. They look nice and somewhat bridge the gab between the traditional styled larger wheels, and the high end boutique wheels you are finding.

If you need cheaper still, many people will adapt knockoff late model camaro or corvette wheels. The bolt patterns are off a little and you need to run enough spacer anyway to get the wheel positioned correctly. For a mostly street driven car, that's fine. I don't like the idea of a 1-2" spacer on 40-50 year old parts and any sort of racing activity.

[RocktimusPryme]

Yeah, most of the moderm rims though have the face of the rim all the way at the edge. I prefer it to be setback in the centerish of the rim. My c6 is like that with the 5 spoke face pretty much all the way at the front of the rim.

[NeighborsComplaint]

http://us-mags.com/pro-touring-series-b-4142.htm

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...22&_sacat=6028

[The Champ]

4" BS on a 17x7" rim wouldn't work for me. I'm running 4.625" BS on a 7" rim right now on my GTO. Before that, I was running 15x7" rims with 4.25" BS. 4.25" was fine until I added front discs - then I started to have a light rub sometimes.

Of course, it all depends on what size rubber you're trying to run. I tend to like the wider tires.

[RocktimusPryme]

Originally Posted by NeighborsComplaint

http://us-mags.com/pro-touring-series-b-4142.htm

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...22&_sacat=6028

Yeah that’s the same one I linked in the OP. I don’t hate it. But it’s just still not exactly what I’m looking for.

As champ said it’s not the backspacing I think would be optimal either. I’m thinking 7” with 4.5 in the front and maybe like 9” with 5” BS in the back. I’m putting in a nova rear which I think is already a little narrower to begin with. So I’ll lrobably install that first and see what kind BS I can use in the rear.

[Scarebird]

You could go old-school:

[RocktimusPryme]

I feel like I have seen affordable clones of those, though now I cant find any when Im looking for them. I do think those look cool, but I really think to take advantage of that look you need to have a numbered race car look. Ive been half-hearted looking for an early 240z and have seen those on several of the CL cars Ive looked it.

[Scarebird]

http://www.vtowheels.com/Classic-8-W...5mm_p_396.html

They will drill out to GM intermediate pattern for a small fee. They are very light and well made. They are not as deep as the originals, but those run $400+ a wheel. I ran a set on my fake 71...


If you do indeed decide to use them mention me and they may cut a deal as we are supposed to be a vendor.

[NeighborsComplaint]

Yeah, I missed that last link.

They also list 4.5" backspacing. Individual wheel price is same as in set of 4 so you can mix widths front and back.

Check out the US Mags website. They have a bunch of Pro-Touring styles.

[HWYSTR455]

Yeah, I have a set of those US MAG wheels on the 442, they are 4.5" BS. They make a 18" with 5.250 BS, so might still be able to pull off a staggered set. I found the ones I have online, think it was an ebay store, I paid under $700 shipped, with lugs.

Centerline has some affordable wheels, you can get any backspacing, but you have to wait to have them made.

For a street driven car, one that's driven a lot, personally, I will never buy another billet wheel. Not only are they a pain to maintain, but they bend and dent from every pot hole.

.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by NeighborsComplaint

Yeah, I missed that last link.

They also list 4.5" backspacing. Individual wheel price is same as in set of 4 so you can mix widths front and back.

Unless I missed something, the 4.5" BS is for the 17x8" rims. 4.5" BS on an 8" rim puts the tire in the exact same spot as 4" BS on a 17x7" rim.

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by The Champ

Unless I missed something, the 4.5" BS is for the 17x8" rims. 4.5" BS on an 8" rim puts the tire in the exact same spot as 4" BS on a 17x7" rim.

Dang, I don't want to have to go measure! But that sounds right to me. And I used a combo of 8" & 9.5" originally, the 9.5s using the 5.250 BS. On a 68-72 A-body, you can run 9.5 with 5.250 on the front, if using aftermarket upper a-arms. (Think I outlined that on that CPP review thread)

Some wheel manufacturers list wheel widths different, like if you measure from outside of the wheel lip to outside of a wheel lip, it's 8.5", same wheel if you measure inside of the wheel lip to inside of wheel lip, it's 8". But US MAG lists 8 and 8.5 widths, so they may actually be + 1/2" lip to lip. (Maybe I put that info too in the thread, will have to check)

Anyway, if you want stuff in the price range mentioned, it's going to be a cast wheel, which should help narrow it down some.

Before you think about going staggered, make sure the tires are available in the sizes you need. 17s are starting to get harder to find in a wide range of sizes, if possible, I suggest not staggering, and going all 18s.

.

[HWYSTR455]

Yeah, with the tall spindle and a global west upper, I had the 18x9.5 5.250 BS wheels all around:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...&highlight=CPP

.

[RocktimusPryme]

Right now I have a 15x7 Rally II with a 235/60/15. It sticks out a bit, and makes me rub on hard bumps. I think the Rally II has a 4.25" backspacing. Also the aftermarket disc kit I used causes a 3/8" protrusion on either side.

So Im thinking a 7" rim with 4.5" BS and sticking to a 225 wide tire should put me back inside the wheel well. Or maybe a 15x8 with a little more BS.

As I said the rear I want to see how close the narrower Nova rear puts me to the shocks before I buy a wheel for it.

[bendutro]

http://www.etmags.com

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

Right now I have a 15x7 Rally II with a 235/60/15. It sticks out a bit, and makes me rub on hard bumps. I think the Rally II has a 4.25" backspacing. Also the aftermarket disc kit I used causes a 3/8" protrusion on either side.

So Im thinking a 7" rim with 4.5" BS and sticking to a 225 wide tire should put me back inside the wheel well. Or maybe a 15x8 with a little more BS.

As I said the rear I want to see how close the narrower Nova rear puts me to the shocks before I buy a wheel for it.

You have a Rally II on there now and a 235/60 is rubbing? Something doesn't sound right. That's only 7 1/4" wide tire. What rear do you have in there now?

I bet if you go to a 215 tire and a 6" rim it won't rub. But do you really want to go in that direction?

You just plain need to measure it out, you can't be just taking stabs at it or you WILL end up with a 216 on a 6" rim.

.

[NeighborsComplaint]

Originally Posted by The Champ

Unless I missed something, the 4.5" BS is for the 17x8" rims. 4.5" BS on an 8" rim puts the tire in the exact same spot as 4" BS on a 17x7" rim.

If you're talking about the outside (fender side) edge of the tire, 4.5" BS on a 7" rim would be the same as 5.5" backspacing on an 8" rim. If you're talking the inside (suspension) edge, the 5.5" BS brings the rim in 1" (closer to suspension components).