BEST looking 3rd gen firebird & camaro rims - Page 15 - Auto Detailing and Appearance - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

mattko91z28 · 08-17-2007, 09:19 PM

i am a huge fan of the TT2's. They're heavy but look sweet. weld prostars also make a third gen look like a serious racecar.

anyway, onto my (dumb) question:
How do y'all get fourth gen f-body and c5 'vette rims to fit on your 3rd gens?

Every time i see a nice pair of cheap used rims, my dreams are shattered by talk of "backspacing" and whatnot. Spacers? etc.?

Stephen · 08-17-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattko91z28

How do y'all get fourth gen f-body and c5 'vette rims to fit on your 3rd gens?

Every time i see a nice pair of cheap used rims, my dreams are shattered by talk of "backspacing" and whatnot. Spacers? etc.?

You have to use adapter spacers up front, regardless. And for the rear, you can use adapter spacers, or just swap in a 4th gen rear end.

http://www.skulte.com

tak0064 · 08-17-2007, 10:09 PM

i like my draglites. . .

jordeezy · 08-18-2007, 02:09 AM

I am a fan of the GTA rims on Firebirds... Actually, nearly any mesh rim on them. They kind of remind me of the snowflake rims of the 70s.

Eventually, I plan on going with some sort of mesh rim, using 4th-gen spacers and then going for 18x8 for the front and 18x9 out back. I know these are heavy, but I've got my lightweight 15x7 mesh T/A wheels for the track (I was pretty amazed how light those are when I first took them off my T/A).

CharcoalBird · 08-19-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordeezy

I am a fan of the GTA rims on Firebirds... Actually, nearly any mesh rim on them. They kind of remind me of the snowflake rims of the 70s.

Eventually, I plan on going with some sort of mesh rim, using 4th-gen spacers and then going for 18x8 for the front and 18x9 out back. I know these are heavy, but I've got my lightweight 15x7 mesh T/A wheels for the track (I was pretty amazed how light those are when I first took them off my T/A).

If you like the 70s style mesh or snowflake rims and you have the money...you can get these at yearone, they're the snowflake wheels from the T/As only you can get them much bigger.

Karps TA · 08-19-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharcoalBird

If you like the 70s style mesh or snowflake rims and you have the money...you can get these at yearone, they're the snowflake wheels from the T/As only you can get them much bigger.

Only in 2nd gen backspacing

69charger383 · 08-22-2007, 08:41 PM

Prostars for sure look awsome.. I used to love the TT2's until I saw like 4 thirdgens in my area with them..

InfernalVortex · 08-23-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karps TA

Only in 2nd gen backspacing

I thought 2nd gen backspacing was the same as 3rd gen backspacing? Or at least fairly similar?

327_TPI_77_Maro · 08-23-2007, 01:08 AM

It is similar. I have both a 2nd and 3rd gen and swap wheels around all the time. They fit both. 15x7 and 15x8s (snow flakes) will fit a 3rd gen no problem. I think it would look dumb as hell (I don't like the snowflake/honeycomb wheels) but it would fit.

Screamin86 · 08-23-2007, 03:41 AM

yup the snowflakes do fit i had two on the rear of my t/a when i had put the first motor in causy they had good tires and i was still in high school and had no money. it looked kinda goofy havving missmatched wheels but it kept me rolling

83 Crossfire TA · 08-26-2007, 05:57 PM

The 2nd gen 15x8’s have 0 offset, which is like the thirdgen front 16x8’s, but the rear 16x8’s have between 5/8 and 7/8” offset (actually measured, they’re supposed to be 16mm or about 5/8”) and the 15x7 rims have ½” offset, so the second gen 15x8 stick out more than third gen wheels.

jordeezy · 08-27-2007, 03:24 PM

Yeah i've seen those on the Burt Reynolds Edition Bandits. Pretty cool I must say! I'm pretty exhausted on funds for my T/A so I might do my stock mesh 15's in that color scheme (polished w/ gold accents) as a cheap little project.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharcoalBird

If you like the 70s style mesh or snowflake rims and you have the money...you can get these at yearone, they're the snowflake wheels from the T/As only you can get them much bigger.

wilyk9 · 08-28-2007, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karps TA

Only in 2nd gen backspacing

Not so according to Year One per this quote from their website:

" All YearOne wheels are made from 100% billet aluminum and are designed for use with original center caps. Each wheel is custom made for your specific application."

http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...ain2.asp?cat=4

Sounds like you can get whatever back spacing you need?

BTW, Year One had the Bandit car at the TA Nats in Dayton last weekend, and the wheels are very nice if you like that style. They look better in person than in the pictures.

cavazos31 · 08-29-2007, 09:08 PM

one of my rims. just waiting for winter when work slows down so I can put on my C5 brake uprade. Front and back. Can't have 18" rims without big brakes! This is the front rim. The rear rims have a bigger offset. I've had these for over a year but refuse to put them on without a big brake upgrade. My patience is wearing thin.

LAFireboyd · 08-30-2007, 09:40 PM

I didn't read all 15 pages of posts, so if this one's been mentioned already, sorry. But my favorite wheel for thirdgens is the American Racing Rebel Chrome(though they're also available with a black center). There are a few members already with these wheels(in each finish).

And for a '2ndgen-retro' thirdgen idea, I really like the wheel from Year One that CharcoalBird posted above: 17" x 9"; '91/'92 non-gfx front and rear bumper covers; 1988 Special Appearance Package wheel well spats; custom 'shaker' or 'ram air' hood; and a full-size hood bird decal.

But here's a stock 'bird wheel that I like. I can't say I'm partial to it, though, because I've always thought these were the ugliest wheels ever on a thirdgen... until I had them chromed! But wow, I've gotta say, it was an amazing transformation!

gcgarner · 08-30-2007, 10:03 PM

Wow. What an improvement! I hate those rims, too. But in chrome, they look pretty good!

themack56 · 08-30-2007, 11:18 PM

tt2s are the best, to bad im selling mine, im so sad

jordeezy · 08-31-2007, 02:55 AM

wow, those aero rims do look a helluva lot better in chrome. imo, one of the nastiest rims stock. hahaha

iansane · 09-02-2007, 01:14 PM

Not my favorite but my favorite I've had so far.

"Competition Grey" C6 wheels non-Z06

jordeezy · 09-04-2007, 06:49 PM

wow, c6 rims on a 3g never crossed my mind. those look great!

CharcoalBird · 09-04-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAFireboyd

But here's a stock 'bird wheel that I like. I can't say I'm partial to it, though, because I've always thought these were the ugliest wheels ever on a thirdgen... until I had them chromed! But wow, I've gotta say, it was an amazing transformation!

I don't like those wheels either, I like the 88-92 Formula wheels muuuuuch better, i've seen those chromed and they look amazing.

IROCQ · 09-06-2007, 09:40 PM

Best rims in my opinion are the 88-90 16" IROC rims. Especially if they are polished like mine.

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tilstad · 09-07-2007, 10:42 PM

How much did it cost you to chrome 4 of those wheels Lafireboyd?

Actually, if one widened the rears, to say 10 inches wide, and then chromed them, I think it would be kinda cool. As you all know, stock wheels are never cool when the car is halfold, but becomes so when it gets "real" old.

whatever that figure might be...

quadgoat · 09-07-2007, 11:30 PM

18x9" ROH RT's get my vote...but I'm biased hehehe

-Paul

Stephen · 09-07-2007, 11:35 PM

You know.....I think that's the first time I've seen a Pontiac with the front fender vents AND the 90's ground FX.

I've never been a fan of those FX though...The front always strikes me as unfinished, like there should be another piece, further forward of the front wheels.