LS4 Performance Grand Prix GXP | Monte Carlo SS | Impala SS | LaCrosse Super

Finally got the wheels on!

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Old Apr 6, 2008 | 10:25 PM
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Default Finally got the wheels on!

Let the pics speak for themselves:





















And my awesome helper


The fenders DO need to be rolled, so I'll get to that, but it doen't seem like an emergency...but I will still push to do it soon. The ride is excellent....much better than my winter tires in both the noise category and balance (must have lost some weights on the winter tires).

R1concepts w/Hawk pads are in the works as well, and now that I can SEE the ugly calipers I will paint those as soon as I can (probably tomorrow evening so they can sit overnight).

Only problems I ran into were 1. the hubcentric rings they gave me did not fit the wheel. They went on the hub nicely, but were too thick for the wheel. and 2. there is very little room around the lugs, so both the cross-wrench and impact wrench scrubbed a bit while tightening...so I'll need to touch that up to prevent rust (it's beneath the center cap).

I must say, I did well, if I don't say so myself :wink:
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Old Apr 6, 2008 | 11:03 PM
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Looks sexy is it sitting unusually high or is it just me
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Old Apr 6, 2008 | 11:12 PM
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Looks good. But it does look like its sitting high.
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Old Apr 6, 2008 | 11:24 PM
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But it does look like its sitting high.
Seems like Impala's sit higher then the GXP. My 20's don't leave that much gap.
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Old Apr 6, 2008 | 11:34 PM
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I just thought that the 20s woud have filled the wheel well alittle more.They still look good.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 12:08 AM
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Wow Buff, those look great. Now roll those fenders and throw a eibach pro kit on there pronto....beautiful.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 05:51 AM
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Simply awesome Buff they look great! You went with 255/35s right? Hows the fitment? And is it just me or do these seem to have a little more wheelwell gap than the stockers? I thought 255/35s were right around the same overall diameter as the stockers. Anyway, they look awesome but would look even better with some Eibachs like Nacho said.

What are you gonna use to paint the calipers?
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 08:51 AM
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The car hadn't settled down from being jacked up, so it was sitting a little high in those pics. There is MUCH less gap now in comparison...especially with the 75# beast of a jack in the trunk. The 255's are less than a 1/4" shorter than the stockers, so it's a negligible difference.

I need to find some money to be able to do the Eibach kit. The brakes will cost me between $350 & $450, and another $250 for the springs (plus install, if I can't DIMyself). That doesn't factor in the cost for the fender rolling (if I EVER find someone to do it). Going to call a couple body shops today and tomorrow.

I have the Duplicolor Silver caliper paint kit at home, so if the weather holds true tonight, I'll try to get that done.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 09:02 AM
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nice man!! those wheels look good on there - good choice!!
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 09:17 AM
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Looks NICE!! The polished lip makes them pop.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 11:54 AM
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I also forgot to add that due to the location of the valve stem for these wheels, I could not install the TPMS sensors. After the fact, I came across a way to band-clamp them to the inside of the wheel, but it was already too late and I'm not paying to have them dis/remounted for this purpose. I'm just going to build a PVC chamber that will hold the new sensors at a steady 32psi.



Here's a quick pic of the car after having been driven a bit. ALthough the heavy *** jack is still in the trunk, it's settled a bit and doesn't look as high after all:



Still have plans to lower it, though. Anyone know of a decent write up for replacing springs?
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:48 PM
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Chris,
The first pic is that sunrise or set? Awesome pic!! the wheels look great.

Last edited by Mels SS; Apr 7, 2008 at 04:47 PM.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:50 PM
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nice looking car and nice rims!
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by BuffaloSS
Damn it looks good.

I plan on pursuing that look.

Gonna stick with 18s though.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 03:01 PM
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Compliments from the streets are just pouring in. Hell, even my MOTHER said they looked nice...and I didn't even think she'd notice! I'll get the "WhyTF did you do that?" from my father, though While he's got a pretty plain garage with an '03 Imp LS and a Chevy conversion van, he's had his fair share of hot cars in the past, including a few '60's Impalas.

Originally Posted by Mels SS
Chris,
The first is pic that sunrise or set? Awesome pic!! the wheels look great.
Just happened to catch it at sunset. It wasn't where I normally parked at the park (if you noticed before, most of my pics (sig included) are taken at the same park off Lake Erie), but I couldn't afford to lose that opportunity to get the sunset in there. As much as I like to be semi-original with photos, I also like to be able to show the transformation of the car from totally stock to where it is now. I'll have to post a collage someday of the car in its different stages.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 03:08 PM
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Looks real nice! Nice choice!!!

-Mike
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 04:49 PM
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Great idea Chris!!
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 04:52 PM
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Yeah Buff,

The car is looking like a champ!
I think the 255 tires is what caused the rub.

When you get to the calipers, clean out that wheelwell and spray a little tire shine up in there.

Keep up the good mods
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 06:45 PM
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i like em
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by mike690003
Yeah Buff,

The car is looking like a champ!
I think the 255 tires is what caused the rub.

When you get to the calipers, clean out that wheelwell and spray a little tire shine up in there.

Keep up the good mods

Yeah, Corny40 said from the beginning that the 255's were the cause...so I was expecting it. Now, I just need to fix it before I ruin something.

And yeah, I NEED to scrub the hell out of the fender linings...it's nasty after the winter. Not sure when I'll be getting the rotors, but I will be cleaning the fenderwells soon.
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