406TPI

iTrader: (1)

Im running into the same issue with my new wheel/tire set-up. I'm getting 11's for the rear so I'm looking at a 305/35/18 which is a 26.4" tire..I was originally looking at a 315/30/18 which is only 25.4...too small in my opinion.....you could go that route an avoid the harsher ride the 19's will give you....and avoid the crazy upcharge on 19's...lol

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

For the mesh style wheels that I like, I think the 18's look to small on these cars. For the wheels with more metal, I think the 18's look good. The price of the 19" wheels and tires isn't really any higher than the 18's.

iansane

iTrader: (1)

FWIW, I've ran a 27.1" tire on my rear 19s since I got them. It's amazing how much better it fills out the fenderwells.
Do you have a forward and/or backward shot to show how the +44 sit in the fenders? (how close are they to the lip?)

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Agreed, that is a good size for the rear. Do you run a larger than stock (25.7") tire on the front too?

iansane

iTrader: (1)

I do, not quite as large because I unfortunately run a staggered setup (18/19). 26.7"

SKELITOR117

iTrader: (3)

I just slapped on some 285/40-17 in the rear of mine. It looks fantastic, bit if I could fit some 305s I would.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Excellent. That is exactly the size I am planning to run on my fronts. 275/35/19 is a 26.66" tire. Do you have any issues with rubbing?

Thanks for the great info.

iansane

iTrader: (1)

The only rubbing I have is full lock to the right in reverse. Rubs the backside of the fenderwell/firewall junction. However, the wheel is tucked inside the fender a 1/4" or so. If it was even with the fender like the rear is I'd probably have a bit more rubbing? What kind of offset/wheel position are you looking for?

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the info. I will be running a 19x9.5 with a +18-20mm offset. This is with a big brake kit. Without the brakes it would be about +10-12mm. It should be just slightly tucked, probably about the same as yours.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Ugh, I hate how tire availability is driving what size wheels I get rather than what will fit.

The R-S3's are sold out for the foreseeable future.

Now it looks like I will go with Bridgestone RE-11's. Good tire, but more expensive.

Front
265/35/18 on 9" wheels

Rear
285/35/19 on 10" wheels

The other option is just to run the 285/35/19's on all corners on 9.5" wheels. But I am still concerned that that tall of a tire will give me problems on the front.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Well I finally got a firm order in for wheels.

Ended up with HRE 560r's.

And I ended up with 19x10's all around with 285/35/19 Bridgestone RE-11 tires.

Lesson learned, the longer you look, the more expensive your tastes get.

DBLTKE

iTrader: (1)

Those are going to look nice! What offsets and finish did you end up getting?

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

19's will be harsh on the ride no? I would probably go for 18x9.5 just for the sake of ease of fitment and my needs (more street than track) and run 275/35/18 tires. This would work well with what I have now, although not sure how well that would work with racecraft 2" dropped spindles which I am planning on installing.

What backspacing would be required to run this wheel size on our cars? And is there any company that makes IROC replica's in custom sizes such as 18x9.5? I just love the stock IROC wheels more than any other wheel but they lack the size of modern performance handling cars..

(Not wanting to hijack the thread, but it sort of pertains to what the OP wanted to install originally)

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

The offsets are +22 front with a 2" lip and +21 rear with a 3" lip. This is with aftermarket brakes. Works out to about a 6 3/8" backspace.

Finish will be a brushed center and polished lip. Finish should look something like the wheel on the left:

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

I think the 19's will ride fine. I am running a 1" taller than stock tire, so ride should be about equivalent to normal 18's. 18x9.5" would be a lot easier to package, but where is the fun with that?

I personally think an 18x9.5" will not fit with the drop spindles. I'm not sure even 19's would work. If I ran 9.5"s on my car I would use about a 6" backspace if you have aftermarket brakes and 5.5" BS with stock brakes.

Nobody I am aware of makes 18x9.5" IROCs, and I did look. What you can do is have them widened or narrowed to any width you want. I thought about this, but at the end of the day you have still spent a lot of money and only have Chinese cast wheels. Not something I really wanted to risk on my rig.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

True that regular 18's would be the limit so I guess you should be fine with that size.

To have the wheels fit with drop spindles, I would need less backspacing probably so that the wheels stick out more? I do have aftermarket LS1 brakes in the front but not the rear.. Quick question, do the LS1 rear brakes make the rear wheels stick out 0.3" just like it does in the front?

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

That is correct. I would imagine about 4.5" BS is about as much as you could go with stock brakes and about 5.0" BS with aftermarket brakes.

The LS1 rear brakes should not meaningfully change the rear track since even the OEM brakes had slip on rotors, unlike the stock fronts.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

Right now I have aluminum drum brakes in the rear. If I put LS1 brakes back there, would 5.0" BS be right for both the front and rear wheels (with 2" dropped spindles in the front) and would the wheels bolt up fine (ex: enough thread engagement). Thanks!

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

It depends how wide you want to go. Personally I can't stand wheels sticking out of the fenders. So if you insist on the drop spindles, I would not run the 9.5"s up front. I would probably stick to an 8-8.5" But you need to take measurements on your car. What is your current wheel to tie rod clearance? That will answer how much BS you can run in the front.

Then how wide do you want on the back? If you are planning on 9.5" wheels, I would do about a 5.5-6" BS. That will put the face of the rim just tucked into the fenders. Its all about what you like though.

Can you explain why you insist on the drop spindles? While they are a good idea, I'm not sure they are worth losing that much tire.

Regarding the wheel studs. Even stock studs on stock rims are really shallow. At least mine were on my 9 bolt. I would upgrade to longer studs regardless.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Wheel build in progress.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

And with the brushed finish applied.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Clear coated centers and assembly.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

ooh those are purdy!

and oddly enough, they look like my new wheels, just with a dish
I like the hidden hardware too

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, thats what I was thinking when I saw your wheels.

rlewi771

be sure to post some pictures of these on the car when you can.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Will do. They are supposed to ship out today, but I am having some trouble with my dealer. What else is new, these wheels are now 8 months in the making.

DBLTKE

iTrader: (1)

8 month's? You posted on 2/12/12 that you finally got a firm order in on the wheels. Can't wait to see them mounted though.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Yes, if you follow the whole thread I first tried to order a set of Boyds in July, then they went out of business. Then I tried ISS Forged and they were worthless, absolutely no engineering going on there. Then around Christmas I started working with HRE. A very easy company to work with. You get what you pay for in customer service.

So yes, I have been trying for 8 months. Nobody wanted my money except for HRE.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

i'll take money if you giving it out

I do love those wheels. The more i see them the more drool i need to clean from my desk.

what are you doing for a front center cap? anything? i dont see them working well, mine dont.... but i planned ahead for that

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

All the pictures are of the rear wheel. The front wheel has a much thicker back pad to accommodate the front spindle. The normal HRE center cap will fit. For instance both wheels are 6.375" BS but the front wheel has a 2" lip and the rear will be 3" lip. I will have to trim the excess threads off the spindle and run a custom dust cap.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Wheels have arrived. I have two tires coming tomorrow or Wednesday. I am going to slap two 285/35/19"s on the front wheels and make sure they actually fit in the wheel well like I think. Worst case scenario they don't fit, 285's go the rear and 265's go up front.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

is that gold lip?

more copper i guess...

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Nah, must just be some weird reflection. It is just normal polished aluminum.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

I slapped the one wheel on. Obviously it looks kinda weird without a tire and at full suspension droop. Finally, the extra threads on the spindle will have to be trimmed off in order to fit the center caps. All part of the plan.

rlewi771

Wow. She's a beaut Clark. That's going to look and hopefully perform amazingly.

iansane

iTrader: (1)

Your attention to detail is now explained by the Pcar.

The wheels looks beautiful.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

The Porsche??? That is my roommates car. He was the smart one, he bought a car and drives it. I just work on mine.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

you need bigger brakes now for sure, lol

looking good, should be pretty sweet once its back together.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, I have already ordered up the calipers and rotors for a 2009+ CTS-V brake swap front and rear.

Money Pit

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

what are you using for tires? brand/style not size

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

I am using Bridgestone Potenza RE-11's. I just picked up two today. I will be mounting them on Friday.

406TPI

iTrader: (1)

Great looking wheel!

I had to grind down the wheel axle in the front too to fit my center caps. Still need to make a dust cap for it though.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

I got two tires mounted. Fits pretty well in the front. I will have to adjust the a-arms slightly so the wheel sits a little closer to the front of the wheel well.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

I wanted to take a few minutes to share my excellent experience with HRE Wheels.

Yes, HRE Wheels are expensive, but after how they treated me in a tough situation, the price is totally worth it. I know I will get taken care of for life.

To summarize, I have been in the market for wheels since last July. I originally placed an order with Boyd for a set of PT-01's. After working with them and my dealer for several months, Boyd went out of business. The Boyd's were already at the higher end of my budget. But the longer these things take, the higher the budget gets, I'm sure you are familiar with that sensation. My next try was with ISS Forged for a set of FM-8 wheels. I worked with ISS for many months trying to get the fitment nailed down. I am an engineer by trade and I know what I want. ISS seemed to lack technical skills and I could never get a straight answer on measurements. I finally had to let them go. At this point I started looking even higher budget, D2 Forged, etc.. They were not willing to do any fitment or engineering on the wheels until they had a 50% deposit. That was not going to fly with me. At this point I felt doomed to never order custom wheels.

Then I found the HRE 560R design at a somewhat more affordable cost than their other lines. These were still way over budget but I figured I would at least initiate contact and see where things went. So I called and talked to Tito. Wow, what a difference from all the other companies I have dealt with. Tito was knowledgeable, fast, and willing to work a fitment before an order was placed. Tito and I worked a great fitment for a few weeks, this was around the Christmas holiday. HRE's fitment paper work package is a huge advantage over the competition. They have you take a bunch of measurements of your wheel wells, brakes, etc.. The other companies I dealt with were not organized in any way. HRE always responds to my emails very quickly and always has the information I need. I finally got my order in for the 560R's. During the build process, HRE provided me with pictures of the wheels at various stages of production. I really appreciate the pictures, they tell a story.

Long story short my wheel dealer, PTS, became unresponsive after the order was placed. I had paid PTS the full amount for wheels and tires up front. PTS told me they had paid HRE 100% up front. I later found out they only gave you guys a deposit. When the wheels were ready to ship, Perry did not pay the remaining balance. I initiated disputes with PayPal and my credit card company. Initially PayPal was unable to recover the funds and it looked like I wasn't getting my money back. HRE made sure to keep me calm and told me we would work out something. As it turns out HRE was willing to ship the wheels even with just the initial deposit from PTS. I thought that was shocking. I have purchased tons of aftermarket parts from tons of companies and never received customer service like this. The day after the wheels shipped, I was able to recover much of the money paid to PTS. I contacted HRE to ask them how I could pay them the remainder of the money owed from PTS.

In short HRE told me we were good and no additional payment was necessary. And he apologized for how painful the process has been. For HRE to treat me this way is absolutely stunning. I am sure the experience was painful for them as well. HRE took responsibility for their dealer network. That is above and beyond any expectations I would ever have. And to think I am just a guy with an old Camaro buying one set of their cheapest wheels. I am sure Tito and HRE engineers had many hours working the fitment. This was not an off the shelf build.

It is challenging for me to describe how impressed I am with HRE's customer service. They have been without a doubt the best company I have ever worked with, regardless of industry. Many of my friends, family, and co-workers and lots of thirdgen members have been involved in my car progress and have shared in my 8 month quest for wheels. They have all seen the way the HRE team treated me. I am not sure how many of them will ever be in the market for forged wheels, but many have told me they will come to HRE first based solely on my experience. I will as well.

So in short I can highly recommend HRE if you guys are ever in the market for forged wheels. I know they will take care of you. I worked with Tito and can highly recommend him as well.
TitoR@hrewheels.com

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like HRE has my business, or atleast a first chance at it when I decide to get custom wheels. Good to know there are businesses out there that are still human.

P.S. Your wheels are frickin awesome

406TPI

iTrader: (1)

That's good to hear about HRE. I just went through a custom forged 3 piece wheel order and did not have nearly as good of purchasing experience. It's a shame when you plunk down $1K per wheel and you have to pull teeth to get info when you want it.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Yup. That was my experience with other companies as well. I think most of the 3pc wheel companies are just design houses and outsource construction to other companies. Therefore they are short on engineering. I know HRE builds a lot of private label wheels for other companies.

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

Was this Jon that was not as pleasant as the whole amazing HRE experience? I have planned on using him when I was ready to jump on wheels for mine. It would be good to know. You can PM if you want.


87350IROC - your car is gonna look amazing on the ground! Can't wait to see how this all unfolds

Grifter757

iTrader: (5)

I've heard nothing but good things about HRE and wow do they look good. I went the lower end of the 3 piece wheel and got CCWs which i had A+ service with. Good to hear there are companies out there that take care of the buyer.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

The CCW's are awesome. I would have gotten a set of classics or LM5's if they were available in 19's.