ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
#302
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Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
9" is really narrow to mount a 275 tire on - especially once you go above 17". I know they are for g-bodies, but a 9.5" or even 10" wheel is best.
Wonder if they are making the mounting pad higher as the Hawk's wheels have the same exact design flaw as the OEM 16" wheels when it comes to caliper clearance.
Wonder if they are making the mounting pad higher as the Hawk's wheels have the same exact design flaw as the OEM 16" wheels when it comes to caliper clearance.
#303
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Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
9" is really narrow to mount a 275 tire on - especially once you go above 17". I know they are for g-bodies, but a 9.5" or even 10" wheel is best.
Wonder if they are making the mounting pad higher as the Hawk's wheels have the same exact design flaw as the OEM 16" wheels when it comes to caliper clearance.
Wonder if they are making the mounting pad higher as the Hawk's wheels have the same exact design flaw as the OEM 16" wheels when it comes to caliper clearance.
#304
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Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
Here is the exact reason: 9" fits 2nd gens with stock suspension also. 9.5" won't fit up front without tubular front control arms.
I'll be the first to admit, 18" is what should be made - but as long as someone makes them - they are affordable and strong enough - people will purchase.
I'll be the first to admit, 18" is what should be made - but as long as someone makes them - they are affordable and strong enough - people will purchase.
I'm a little sad to see these guys doing it, instead of Hawk's. Bruce was the only one to step up after YEARS of TGO members trying to get someone to build this wheel. I just can't understand why he did a 17 x 9 when 18 x 9.5-10 was what the overwhelming majority of 3rd gen owners wanted.
#305
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Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
Here is the exact reason: 9" fits 2nd gens with stock suspension also. 9.5" won't fit up front without tubular front control arms.
I'll be the first to admit, 18" is what should be made - but as long as someone makes them - they are affordable and strong enough - people will purchase.
I'll be the first to admit, 18" is what should be made - but as long as someone makes them - they are affordable and strong enough - people will purchase.
#308
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Car: 91
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Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
"we already have drawings submitted for the F body and awaiting tooling quotes. 18 X 9 will be 4.25" back spacing.....back space/ offset on 19x9.5 wheels 4-3/8...."
#312
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Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
I have spoken to these guys on FB - they are a G Body shop - wheels are for the 78 to 87 Monte SS, GN, GNX, and Grand Prix, not 3rd gens, although the wheels may fit them by default. Those cars need a similar BS out back - but they do have frame clearance issues in the rear and cannot fit a 9.5" up front without doing a lot of mod work, unlike 3rd gens.
I'm hoping they work for both applications, but they have not released them yet. I also hope the brake clearance is better than the Hawk's wheel - which is similar to the OEM 16" wheel of the same design.
I'm hoping they work for both applications, but they have not released them yet. I also hope the brake clearance is better than the Hawk's wheel - which is similar to the OEM 16" wheel of the same design.
#314
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Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
Someone had asked in this thread about LS1 brake clearance with these wheels. I put on LS1 front brakes this fall and the clearance is fine IF you use the spacers Hawk's supplies. If you don't, the spokes contact the calipers. I used the Big Brake Upgrade hubs, which are just machined stock rotor/hub assemblies with the rotor rings removed and longer wheel studs. So my track width increased by the thickness of the LS1 rotor hat sections but the calipers still contacted without the spacers since the LS1 calipers are bigger.
#315
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Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
Someone had asked in this thread about LS1 brake clearance with these wheels. I put on LS1 front brakes this fall and the clearance is fine IF you use the spacers Hawk's supplies. If you don't, the spokes contact the calipers. I used the Big Brake Upgrade hubs, which are just machined stock rotor/hub assemblies with the rotor rings removed and longer wheel studs. So my track width increased by the thickness of the LS1 rotor hat sections but the calipers still contacted without the spacers since the LS1 calipers are bigger.
#317
Member
Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
I can't really tell a difference. I have 275-40-17s and there was a rubbing noise the very first time I turned tightly in a tiny cul-de-sac but I've done the same turn several times since and there has been nothing since. I'm almost positive it was the fender liner since the tires show zero damage but the fender liners do. Also it is a reminder to remove the splash guards since I finally don't have to drive on gravel any more. Camber is -0.7 on the left and -1.7 on the right since the left couldn't go any further even with camber plates. The Koni shocks raised the car. I need different springs in order to get more camber. It was the left side that made noise.
#318
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
My inner fender liners have rub marks from my factory sized tires. So if that's all it is, that's good.
#319
Supreme Member
Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
I finally got a set in black. I love them. I used to want to go 18", but I think 17" is perfect. They fill the wheel well nicely, they're more period correct, and 275/40r17 gives a nice sidewall look. The ride is no harsher than before even though I lowered the sidewall profile and added Hotchkis springs. The other suspension bits include full poly bushings, Bilstein shocks, and an adjustable panhard from Hawks. The Hotchkis/Bilstein combo work surprisingly well, and the car is a blast on twisty roads.
I bought these during Hawks' July sale. For the sale price, they're an absolute steal. I almost brought them to a shop to have the lips polished and the centers powdercoated Arctic White or Silver, but I'm glad I left them black. I ended up liking the black centers in person, and getting the custom work done would have started creeping these wheels closer to custom 2-piece wheel price ranges. I may eventually get the lips polished, though, as the finish from Hawks faithfully replicates the OEM look but is not quite perfect. I'm detail oriented...
One point of annoyance, though, is sourcing all the other bits: center caps, CAMARO medallions, and lug nut covers. I wanted to get it all from Hawks to support them, but they didn't have the CAMARO medallions (or at least I couldn't find them there) and it was significantly cheaper going to ebay and getting the parts from various vendors. The ebay route also included free shipping in most cases. I think I used Brock's Camaro for the center caps and lug nut covers and Jegs for the Camaro Medallions. What's really funny is I ordered Hawks' Panhard from them via ebay, which was free shipping. If I used their website, no free shipping.
I bought these during Hawks' July sale. For the sale price, they're an absolute steal. I almost brought them to a shop to have the lips polished and the centers powdercoated Arctic White or Silver, but I'm glad I left them black. I ended up liking the black centers in person, and getting the custom work done would have started creeping these wheels closer to custom 2-piece wheel price ranges. I may eventually get the lips polished, though, as the finish from Hawks faithfully replicates the OEM look but is not quite perfect. I'm detail oriented...
One point of annoyance, though, is sourcing all the other bits: center caps, CAMARO medallions, and lug nut covers. I wanted to get it all from Hawks to support them, but they didn't have the CAMARO medallions (or at least I couldn't find them there) and it was significantly cheaper going to ebay and getting the parts from various vendors. The ebay route also included free shipping in most cases. I think I used Brock's Camaro for the center caps and lug nut covers and Jegs for the Camaro Medallions. What's really funny is I ordered Hawks' Panhard from them via ebay, which was free shipping. If I used their website, no free shipping.
#322
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Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
Stance, wheels, tires all look great! The black centers are definitely the way to go with a white car. I've got the golds with a red car, wasn't sure if I wanted to go gold or black, but found a sweet deal on the golds.
How much did your springs drop the car? The back drop ain't bad either.
How much did your springs drop the car? The back drop ain't bad either.
#323
Supreme Member
Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
Stance, wheels, tires all look great! The black centers are definitely the way to go with a white car. I've got the golds with a red car, wasn't sure if I wanted to go gold or black, but found a sweet deal on the golds.
How much did your springs drop the car? The back drop ain't bad either.
How much did your springs drop the car? The back drop ain't bad either.
#324
Member
Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
One of my centers fell off. It appeared to be defective. Does anyone know of any lower profile centers than the stock-style ones? I'd prefer ones that don't stick out as much.
#325
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Location: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
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Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: ANNOUNCING GTA 17x9 MESH WHEEL SETS!!!!
The Center cap design is supposed to represent race cars that used a single large bolt rather than the 5 bolt pattern. They used this design on INDY or Formula 1 cars for example, and Ferrari used them on the Testarossa for a few years. As for different caps, you would have to look and see if something else fits. The Camaro and Firebird wheel might use the same size hole, but whether or not they are indeed the same, I do not know, never tried, There might be an aftermarket cap out there, but keep in mind the front wheels have the Hub bearing that sticks out, so you might need the large cap for clearance of the hub.
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