seanof30306

iTrader: (4)

I think the G-bodies have different backspacing.

paul_huryk

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.

seanof30306

iTrader: (4)

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.

paul_huryk

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.

seanof30306

iTrader: (4)

I thought the Firehawk rims were 9.5" wide?

paul_huryk

They were/are.

I do have a local friend who has firehawks on his 74, but it is slowly machining aluminum off the wheel.

seanof30306

iTrader: (4)

OK, I get it now.

I thought you were saying you couldn't get wider than 9" on 3rd gens without tubular front control arms.

bk2life

"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...."

seanof30306

iTrader: (4)

Please don't take this the wrong way ... I'm very grateful you're making this rim for 3rd gens.

I'm just wondering why 18 x 9, instead of 18 x 9.5 or 18 x 10?

bk2life

im not making them. read one of the posts above it has a picture of who is making them.

seanof30306

iTrader: (4)

paul_huryk, can you lobby these guys on sizes/backspacing? They seemed interested in what you have to say,

paul_huryk

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.

scooter

iTrader: (11)

Damnit Paul, it's a 73. How many times do I have to tell you. Body style break down is 70-73 (my body style), 74-77 and 78-81

GCrites80s

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.

FAST LiFE

iTrader: (3)

Do the GTA wheels stick out quite a bit with the LS1 brakes and spacers or are they still tucked in the fender? Any pics?

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Was curious about that myself.

GCrites80s

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.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

My inner fender liners have rub marks from my factory sized tires. So if that's all it is, that's good.

KMK454

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.

Buddy

Your car looks amazing with the black rims and the white car, good call leaving them as is.

scholtmj

iTrader: (3)

Very sharp! The stance looks fantastic.

V6canvas

iTrader: (1)

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.

KMK454

They're hotchkis - advertise 1" drop but visually they halved the front fender gap and probably took a third out of the rear fender gap. The net effect is probably about 1.2" or so. I also have Bilsteins in the car. The rear actually sits a hair lower than in this picture. In the picture, the car is on a downhill incline.

GCrites80s

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.

okfoz

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.