Wheels and Tires Need help with wheels or tires? Got fitment issues? Have questions about tire performance and handling? Ask all of those questions here!

I made my choice, look!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 29, 2010 | 10:10 AM
  #1  
Atilla the Fun's Avatar
Thread Starter
On Probation
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 19
From: Northern Utah
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
I made my choice, look!


These are an exact fit, even the offset is perfect. Too bad they're gonna drain my tire budget as well as my wheel budget, but no telling how long these wheels will be available.
They're made by Coventry, they're called the "Hornet", they're 18x9.5" with a +20mm offset, and are $224 each. Much thanks to CharcoalBird for the heads up.

Last edited by Atilla the Fun; Jul 29, 2010 at 03:47 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2010 | 10:12 AM
  #2  
CharcoalBird's Avatar
Supreme Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 75
From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: I made my choice, look!

The link doesn't work. Why don't you get the link of the picture by right clicking over the picture and going to properties. Copy and then in your post, click the yellow "picture frame" and then add the link to it. It'll show the picture of the wheel you want right on this board.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2010 | 03:53 PM
  #3  
Atilla the Fun's Avatar
Thread Starter
On Probation
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 19
From: Northern Utah
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: I made my choice, look!

This was my inspiration, but these wheels don't just bolt up to my '84 Trans Am. This car uses 275/40R18 tires, and I'm going to do the same. This car pulls 1g cornering, and I hope to do the same.
I've always felt that 275/40R17s just don't quite fill the Firebird wheelwells adequately. And I think this looks better than 295/50R15s
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 11:50 PM
  #4  
Awesome-X's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 880
Likes: 1
From: Bloomfield, IN
Car: 87 Camaro
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Re: I made my choice, look!

I thought 9.5 was too wide for some reason?
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 11:57 PM
  #5  
Stephen's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 13
From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: I made my choice, look!

Originally Posted by Awesome-X
I thought 9.5 was too wide for some reason?
The 3rd gen Firehawks came with 17" x 9.5" wheels, on all 4 corners.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2010 | 10:13 PM
  #6  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: I made my choice, look!

Atilla, are those because you like the style of the spokes, or because you like the look of the 275s?
And do you have them on your Trans Am yet? If so, we need pics! ( Please )
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2010 | 12:32 AM
  #7  
red rock's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 5
From: WI.
Car: 1987 iroc
Engine: 383 TPIS intake, Dyno Don headers
Transmission: 700R4 w/Pro-built Auto/transgo 2-3
Axle/Gears: 3.27/3.70 borg warner 9 bolt
Re: I made my choice, look!

Just keep in mind that with the 18's your going to feel every crack in the road. I have 18's, they corner great, but you get a ruff rider for the corner biter.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2010 | 01:04 AM
  #8  
CharcoalBird's Avatar
Supreme Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 75
From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: I made my choice, look!

Originally Posted by red rock
Just keep in mind that with the 18's your going to feel every crack in the road. I have 18's, they corner great, but you get a ruff rider for the corner biter.
That also depends on what sidewall size you go with. The smaller, the rougher.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2010 | 07:36 AM
  #9  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: I made my choice, look!

In theory, a 275/40R18 should have just as much sidewall cushioning as a 275/40R17.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2010 | 07:47 AM
  #10  
Atilla the Fun's Avatar
Thread Starter
On Probation
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 19
From: Northern Utah
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: I made my choice, look!

Originally Posted by kingtorquer
Atilla, are those because you like the style of the spokes, or because you like the look of the 275s?
And do you have them on your Trans Am yet? If so, we need pics! ( Please )
No, I don't like the style of the spokes, but that's not why I haven't yet bought them. They'll fit well, but the cost is prohibitive. They can get away with that because they have no competition, but since they're not showing up on everyone's third-gens, that proves the price is too high. I guess they're too stupid to realize that 3 quick nickels beats one slow dime. In plain english, that means a smaller profit margin with a greater number of sales is better than a few sales with a high profit margin. The latter will never re-pay their investment. It works for Rolls-Royce, but it can't work here.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2010 | 09:09 AM
  #11  
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
Supreme Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,812
Likes: 110
From: Central NJ
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 408 stroker sbc
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: I made my choice, look!

Originally Posted by red rock
Just keep in mind that with the 18's your going to feel every crack in the road. I have 18's, they corner great, but you get a ruff rider for the corner biter.
they are really not that bad
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2010 | 10:05 AM
  #12  
red rock's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 5
From: WI.
Car: 1987 iroc
Engine: 383 TPIS intake, Dyno Don headers
Transmission: 700R4 w/Pro-built Auto/transgo 2-3
Axle/Gears: 3.27/3.70 borg warner 9 bolt
Re: I made my choice, look!

I ride on 275/35/18's, I'm not trying to discourage anyone from buying wheels. Maybe find a friend or someone with 18's and ride with them and determine if the ride quality isn't that bad. Spending $2000 - $3000 on wheels and tires and then finding out you should have gotten something different, just make sure. Also watch your tire diameter, for your speedometer correctness.

Last edited by red rock; Sep 19, 2010 at 10:29 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2010 | 11:21 AM
  #13  
Stephen's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 13
From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: I made my choice, look!

I have 275/45R17s & solid heim joints, no rubber or poly bushings in the rear & Weight Jacks with stiffer than stock springs and I don't find my ride harsh at all, other than 5/10mph over railroad tracks. 55mp over tracks is smooth to me.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
morrow
Members Camaros
196
Jan 13, 2024 12:21 PM
Fronzizzle
Electronics
13
Feb 9, 2017 09:31 AM
F-body-fan
History / Originality
27
Sep 17, 2015 12:16 PM
ericjon262
Engine Swap
7
Sep 11, 2015 06:07 PM
scottmoyer
Camaros for Sale
3
Sep 7, 2015 07:06 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:14 AM.