Wheels for 78 T/A
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Pacifica, CA
Wheels for 78 T/A 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.
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.
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 295
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From: Las Vegas, NV
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.
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 295
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From: Las Vegas, NV
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.
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Misssissauga
Originally Posted by dduncan
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
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
Thread Starter
On The Tree
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From: Pacifica, CA
Originally Posted by FlyinLow89
agreed!
any higher end wheels (HRE, Iforged, CCW, Fikse, etc) would look great. gold would really set the car off considering the decals.
any higher end wheels (HRE, Iforged, CCW, Fikse, etc) would look great. gold would really set the car off considering the decals.
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Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 159
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From: Pacifica, CA
Originally Posted by anotherreject04
gotta love the snowflakes but if not i think tt2's would look sweet
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 ...
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.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Pacifica, CA
Originally Posted by GETGONE
Gold Torqs look great.
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??
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.
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?
Last edited by nautiboy; Feb 17, 2006 at 10:52 AM.
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.
