LS4 Performance - To wheel or not to wheel?

It's tire time so:bang:

I think am going to rock my Enkis NTO3+M's for the summer with the Nitto's
I just put them on a few days ago, and am pleased with traction. I would like to order some 18x7.5's for the rear that will be wrapped with http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=G-MAX+AS-03 225/50-18

The Enki's weigh 18.5lbs per wheels Vs. 26 per Alcoa. The Enki's are 18x9.5 and the tires are 285/35/18 NT555R's. The tires handle very well in the rain!

Here is a pic of my wheels mounted.. I need to get some center caps.


http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/dapperdan1/2012-03-27_14-36-20_868.jpg Need to be shinned!

Should I Run the Enki's or powder coat my stock Alcoa's and wrap them with new rubber? I don't wanna do the whole Plasti dip thing:barf:

Powder coating the Enki's is not an otion lol.. Either way, I am looking a 1000.00:bang::chug::bang:

Opinions???

You have a strong unning GXP so I would go with the lighter wheel. The alcoa's look better (especially powder coated) but would put on ~30lbs. With your setup, it's a no brainer IMO.

looks kinda mean, i like how low it is. wish my came down to that level.

My personal opinion is they look horrible. but, performance over appearance makes sense to me.

(sorry)

I don't like the look its to bland for the car. A set of weld racing rt would look amazing on your car.

Go with the lightest wheel tire combo. I just ordered new tires for my GXP I went with these

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireDetailStaggered.do?rcz=60004&mps=-50&yr=2005&pc=25980-36135&cf=false&vid=009329&ct=tireSearchForm&rc=ILCINT

They weigh a few pounds less than the stock ones. Or michelin Super Sports in a 275 45 18 weigh even less (25lbs??). They supposedly are one of the best.

I'd keep them. The rims don't look all that bad and the 555r are great tires. My buddy has had his set on his TA for over 2 years with plenty of burnouts at the track. DDs it from spring until storage time. He's went 12.20 cut a 1.68 60. After all the abuse they still have 1/2 thread life. There a great alt b/w a true drag radial (et street, nt05R) and street tire. They just need a lot of heat to hook well. That set of tires also made another TA go from 13.4 to 12.21 with a 1.9x 60. They swapped tires before we headed to the track.

I have only used theses wheels and tires at the track. I have never driven with them on the street until now. I am so impressed with the feel. The steering is super responsive and the traction is incredible. I personally like how the wheels look, and they would look even better with caps and a shiny side wall.
I really have no choice but to run them, cause I need all the traction I can get with 3.69s. I am starting to think that they hook better with 30psi then with 16psi that I used at the track.

Nice car man! What is your offest?

I bought some take off 18x8.5 bullitts for $650, sold the Alcoas for $400, and couldn't be happier!

http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv61/blackgp4me2001/photo.jpg

Good looking wheels....Very similar to the Smoothie IIs I have on my Camaro. I'd powdercoat 'em black and be done with it!

Those rts Weld wheels are king shit! They don't offer our offset though.. The 5x115 are available for in offsets for dodges. We need a minimum of +35 in order to look good. Plus, those wheels are over 600.00 each. For that price (2400-2500) I would put on a rear mount

For those inquiring about my stance, I am using ssc springs from cunuck. 2.5 drop.
Tires are 285/35/18 on a 9.5" wheel +40mm offset No rubbing or rolled fenders!

David, if you don't mind me asking. How much did you pay for those Enkis? I looked them up and found them at about $260ish a wheel, Does that sound right?

Yes 260 is about right

Davidgxp has does you car ride/handle with being that low

those enkei's dont look bad at all, if it weren't for that ring, I'd really like them. at first glance I did like them. if they're going to save you a ton of unsprung weight then I'd say run em. but if YOU don't like the way the look, then powder coated alcoa's look real nice too.

why not sell your enkei's if you don't like them and pick up ones that are already black, or maybe gunmetal looks cool too IMO Lookie Here (http://www.enkei.com/racing.shtml)

oh yea, and for your rear tires, why not go for a 225/55-18 and put some more weight on those front wheels, My Blizzak's in that size barely fit with the stock +52 (18x7) SS wheels so you should be fine with almost any wheel

ALSO, sorry to thread jack but do you think 285/35-19's would fit? or maybe 275/35-19's? so they'd have a half inch bigger radius. I have the SSC 1.7 drop in front so I've got a bit more room vertically.

thanks ahead of time, your the man