LS1Bandit

My 78 T/A shown below is getting an LS1 transplant. I've gotten a number of comments that I should change out the wheels too. If it were you, what wheels would you put on, what size, and what size tire? Or stay with what's on there right now? This is 98% street use, maybe an occasional trip to the track, but that's not the focus.

So far the Fikse FM/10s, gold anodized and the Torque Thrust II's have been recommended. I definitely like the look of the Fikses, but they're pretty pricey. Also, I'm trying to avoid a ricer and/or pro-touring look. I want it to look mostly stock (but I'm also not real fond of the snowflake rims either ...). I know, I'm a strange one.

Nite_Hawk

i'd say check out this company...www.jlinewheels.com they have some nice designs and range from 14's-22's. in either 2pc or 3pc wheels.

Nite_Hawk

i'd say check out this company...www.jlinewheels.com they have some nice designs and range from 14's-22's. in either 2pc or 3pc wheels. They are not a vendor on here...sorry if i made anyone mad.

Xsta Z 28

iTrader: (2)

To fit the theme and be more modern are the 16" GTA wheels from the lat 80's

RollTideTA

I know its probably not the look your are going for, but Iforged offers all of their wheels in race gold. I've always thought that finish would look good on a 78SE

FlyinLow89

agreed!
any higher end wheels (HRE, Iforged, CCW, Fikse, etc) would look great. gold would really set the car off considering the decals. I would go with an 18x11" out back and 18x10" up front. Even 17"s will do the job but I like the whole pro-touring look. If you still want a bigger wheels with a stock type appearance you could even consider something like this
http://www.transamcountry.com/forum/...ic.php?t=20071

LS1Bandit

Yeah, I like the gold look. And the ones on the car in the transamcountry thread you pointed out look really nice. But all of the wheels seem to be at least $1K per wheel. I can't really stomach $4K-$5K just for wheels. I've already spent $23K on the restoration, it'll probably be another $10K for the LS1 conversion, another $5K for misc upgrades ... my piggy bank is gettin' pretty low.

TRANSAM75

CHECK OUT THESE:https://www.newstalgiawheel.com/list...asp?cat=101100
BIG INCH PONTIAC RALLIES!!!!

GETGONE

iTrader: (5)

Gotta go with the Snowflakes!!!! Can't have a Bandit TA without snowflakes!!!

nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (103)

I agree on the snowflakes

69TA

iTrader: (263)

PM sent.

I have a new set of HRE's in 17" that I bought for my 77 DKM TA.

Black mesh with polished lips. 9.5 fronts and 10.5 rears

Thanks,
Kevin

anotherreject04

iTrader: (4)

gotta love the snowflakes but if not i think tt2's would look sweet

LS1Bandit

For some strange reason I just really do not like the snowflakes. Never have. I know most people do, so I guess I'm just an oddball.

On transamcountry someone posted pics of an SE with TT-II's with gold centers. Looked pretty nice, but I don't know how he got them that way. Here's a pic:



So far, the ones I like (that I can afford) are the TT-II's (especially the gold) and the black mesh HRE's that 69TA sent me a PM about. Wish I could afford the FM10's, gold anodized.

If there are more suggestions, keep 'em coming!

I'm also still wondering about wheel and tire sizes. I was thinking 17x9 up front and 17x11 out back. But I'm actually having a hard time finding much of a selection of tires in the R17 size. Admittedly I've only checked TireRack and Discount Tire Direct but I figured they should have a pretty broad selection. And I definitely can't find any with raised white letters - it just seems like the old muscle cars really need RWL ... but maybe that's my oddball-ness coming out again. Most of the RWL's are for R15, possibly/probably because most of the old muscle cars had 15" rims ....

As for tire sizes, I was thinking maybe 275/50 up front and something > 275 in back. But all I seem to be able to find in R17 for the rear is 315/35 drag radials. Seems a bit much considering this is more of a pleasure driver than a track car. The 315 part isn't bad, but I'd prefer a higher aspect ratio and I don't really need a drag tire ...

FH212

iTrader: (4)

Both of those T/A's on Trans Am country look awesome.Do one of those setups.

GETGONE

iTrader: (5)

Gold Torqs look great. Also the gold mesh GTA wheels would look good but they're only 16x8 and you don't like the snowflakes so they probably aren't what you're looking for either. As for tires you're gonna be hard pressed to find many 50 series 17" tires that aren't truck tires. Rears on an 11" rim you'd want 315/35/17. They're somewhat hard to find in non drag radials but they are out there. Sumimoto makes them pretty cheap in that size.

LS1Bandit

Yeah, I'm liking that. Here are better photos someone just posted:




I'm not sure how to get the gold center though. Anyone know if you can order them that way or if you have to have someone paint them? I haven't seen it as an order option, but maybe it's something you have to ask for??
Right - I'm not super-fond of the GTA's either.
Yeah, I saw the Sumimoto's are on special right now for $107.

How bad are 315/35's as street tires? Is it going to feel like I'm riding on the rims?

And how fast would I go through the Nitto 555's or the BFG g-force Drag 2's (not taken to the track much)? And what are those tires like for cornering? Are they primarily just good for hooking up in a straight line?

DMark

iTrader: (1)

Yet..., it appears that this car isn't a real Bandit.

DMark

GETGONE

iTrader: (5)

I refer to any TA of that vintage that's black/gold as a Bandit referring to the look of the car as used in the movie vs an actual edition car.

GETGONE

iTrader: (5)

As far as I know you can only order Torq's with the gray centers directly from AR. Any other color you'd have to have painted/powder coated yourself. If your suspension is set up good you won't feel like you're riding on the rim with a 315/35 tire. It has the same sidewall height as the 275/40's that are on my car. My SS rides better stock than my dad's stock 85 IROC on 245/50/16's.