Batass

I'm planning on getting new wheels. S10 zq8 16x8. I want to run a sticky tire like ET radials, but the only tire to fit on that wheel is a 295/50/16. They recommend an 8-10" wheel for it, so I'm right at the lower limit meaning its going to squash and squabble around some. I want the car to handle well, not super, but well.

I wish I could run a 275 as that worked well on my Welds, once the suspension was right. Those were on a 10" wheel and handled wonderful. Wider rim than recommended.

I just don't want to dish out $800 bucks for an improvement and get crapped in the handling.

skinny z

I'm thinking about widening my 16x8 IROC rims to 10" (to the inside) so I could run a 295 drag radial too.
I received a quote from these guys at $175 per rim.
http://www.weldcraftwheels.com/
What I haven't determined yet is will the combination fit without modification.
About the only reason I'd consider spending that kind of money (rather than new rims) is to keep the outwardly stock appearence

Batass

Well thats the other thing....the cost. Surely a wheel specialty shop is going to charge top dollar. A simple machine shop should be able to do it and would probably cost much less.

If widening the wheel would make a great difference in handling I'm going to start asking around. I'm going to ask a few local reputable shops anyway.

I'm guessing the wheel just needs to be cut, perfectly. I'm thinking anybody good on a lathe could do that. Then the welding....simple. Then just a balance. The aluminum is what might be difficult to obtain/costly. There is a custom semi truck shop here that would probably have some good info for me.

I want to have some things figured out before I go talking to anyone though and waste their time estimating costs. Like, if I'm going to widen it, do I want to step up to the 315/45/16? That would be sick, but I don't NEED that much tire with an R2 compound.

The blower is coming off, but the car will still be powerful with a 460hp 383, a t56, and 410 gears.

T76 turbo probably next year.

I'm just wondering the car would work with a 295 on an 8" wheel, even though its within the recommended realm of the et street radial II.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I used Wheels America to widen my 17" x 9" ROH Snypers to 11".

They did it by cutting them in half, plus using another set of wheels cut in half. Welding my outers to those inners & ended up with only 1 seam. Unlike other places that cut your wheels, then add in a 1"/2"/3" strip (whatever you ask for) & you end up with 2 seams.

I had them powdercoat my bare silver wheels to black too, at the same time. Came to about $650 to widen both wheels, powdercoat both wheels & shipping for them back to me.

From this:


To this:




These are the only pics I have of them before the tires were out on, showing the way they came wrapped (after I cut the wrap open to check them out):

skinny z

I would think that a shop that specializes in widening rims will give you the best return on your investment. I would rather pay a premium for the expertise rather than save a few (or many) dollars and have someone learn at my expense. Just my opinion.
As far as handling goes, I've learned that you'll achieve the best results if you stay within the limits of the installed specs rather than at the extremes. From a simple standpoint of tire wear, you get better performance when you stay in the middle of the recommended rim width.
Hey Stephen. $650 sounds like a lot a money however I understand where you're coming from. You have a need and already have money into the existing rim profile. If widening the Snypers is what it takes, then that's what you have to do. I am surprised that a 2nd set of Snypers were sacrifised to achieve the end result, but again, I guess that what it takes.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Yeah. I actually already had a set of 4, but bought another 2, to send off to be widened.

So I actually have 6 total. 4-17" x 9" & 2 17" x 11" 3rd gen offset Snypers. And I actually want to find 1 (possibly 2) 17" x 8" 3rd gen fit Snypers. Anybody reading this, have 1 to sell?

Murphy-Iroc-87

Hey man idk if this will help you at all but imo 295's are great. i have them on my iroc along with air shocks. it handles great. and when i race i just lower the psi in the shocks to get a better lock up. its amazing how much fast your lock up will be with the 295 tires but good luck!