This is the first rim besides the Factory GTA wheel that i just love on our cars. The problem with the GTA wheel is there is no larger option. What do you sapose is the largest diameter wheel we can fit under a factory wheel well? And what width? I was thinking of using either an 18 or a 19" rim, maybe be able to squeez a 10" width since my car now sits on coil overs and not factory suspension.


http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...?hid=P26EW7639

 

I am thinking about the same wheels in 17" for my 87'. If you go that route please post pictures.

 

Marty at year one emailed me back and told me they can not sugest wheel sizes. Said I would have to measure the wheel back space and size clearence. Anyone have a rim size gauge?

 

2nd gen wheels fit, no problem

 

Yeah, but my big problem is I love the GTA wheel on my car. What i dont like is the wheel well gap from a small wheel and a large wheel opening. Thats why I want a larger diamater rim.
The other issue I have is I can not seam to find an aftermarket rim that looks good on 3rd gen's. Most aftermarkets look better suited for imports, or vet's

 

The YO snowflakes are 17 so they're larger than the stockers. However, with 17"tires being lower profile, you'll need to drop the car

 

My car is now sitting on a full spohn front and modified rear coilover set up. Right now its lowered about 2"

 

if you lower it like this, it would be perfect

 

I hope your wallet is deep. Have you priced those big snowflakes? For the 18" wheel, Marty at Year One told me in an email:

"The 18 inch billet wheels are available (18 x 9) 18 x 10 and 18 x 12.

With gold painted inserts 18 x 10 is BPW18180 $699 each and 18 x 12 is BPW18182 $1,099 each. Center caps and lug nuts are not included. These wheels are also available with black painted or brushed inserts."


A 19" wheel would be even an higher cost, of course, an IMHO....18" is the biggest that looks good on a 3rd gen.


As for fitment? The wheel size won't physically matter in relation to stock or lowered height, except width. It is the tire height that determines fit. Bigger wheels equal smaller aspect ration of the tire. Unless you get too big then there is no tire short enough. After lowering, tire width will be more restricted, especially up front, due to the upper wheelwell shape & sheetmetal getting in the way, especially when turning.

 

I agree with the 18" diameter, I want to run a 10" rear and a 9" front. The other thing I asked Marty is how far of an offset I could get away with b/c I love a deep lip on the wheels. This is why I need a rim gauge, so i can see how far I could go with the offset. Ive got center caps, and lug nuts are the least of my concerns.
Ive been looking for a nice rim for a long time, and I'm prepared to spend a decent amount for a nice looking wheel, that is well built. IMO its a great price for a custom billet wheel.

 

4.5" bs is the max on a 17" wheel. The rim comes very close to the ball joint. The Firehawk wheels had 4.75 bs, but I don't see how the extra 1/4" cleared. Seriously....4.5" is that close. And after spending $$$ on wheels, you don't wanna be wrong & have to ship back/exchange/remount & balance tires, etc.

A 18" wheel will give you more room to clear the balljoint & go "over" it with the balljoint ending up inside the hoop of the wheel. I suggest contacting //86TA\\ to ask when it comes to wheel fit. He seems to have it all worked out, in the various sizes.

 

here's the year ones on mine

 

Looks awesome!

 

What is up with those fender lights? Not stock!

 

Those are off a C4 corvette

 

Yes they are off a vette

 

Did you have to modify anything to make them work? Im assuming so but it never hurts to ask.

I love the wheels as well. I wish the cast ones came in 18X9 cus i cant afford the billet ones. lol

 

some cutting of the fender and fiberglass did the job. if you put a pic of my car next to a stock bird you will see mine are twice the size if not larger.

 

Thanks. I can't wait for this season to begin

 

No need for a comparison pic, you can tell pretty easily that they are larger form that pic. Figured id ask in case my eyes were playing tricks on me though. lol Thanks

 

no your eyes aren't.. I love the vette side markers. it gives a subtle touch

 

It looks great. If i wasnt so hesitant to do things on my car that require body work id jump at something like that.

 

yeah its a fun project

 

Anyone else notice the snowflake design looks considerably different on the billet wheels than it does on the cast ones? I was seriously considering buying a cast set but now im slightly dissapointed after looking at the billet ones.

 

Love those rims!

 

^^^That looks sweet, although it does seem to be riding a bit high imo.

So the second gen style wheels fit third gens w/o a problem? I was told by someone that the backspacing wasnt enough. They have like 4.75 and it was suggested to me that 5.25 backspacing is what id need.

 

Pics? I'm guessing that what you are referring to are 2nd gen Snowflakes vs 3rd gen Crosslaces.

 

Im talking about the cast snoflake VS the billet snowflake yearone offers. The machining (based on the pics on the website) look considerably different. Then again, maybe its just me. Ill get the pics up in a sec. First is billet, second is cast.

 

2nd gens fit fine, my car was on stock springs in that pic.

 

but look at the price difference.. lol

 

The billet wheels are exactly what the name implies, billet machined centers welded to amspun aluminum hoop. Pricey. The 17s are cast wheels, much cheaper and they are indeed machined differently because the wheel face and rim is machined, not so on the billet wheels.

 

Anyone else have pictures with these wheels? My Formy is either getting these or Black ZR1 wheels... uh, decisions decisions...

Would 6.5 offset be better for me? I plan on doing a brake upgrade soon that would push the wheels out a bit further. If I get 6.5 BS, I will run a 4th gen rear so I wont need spacers.

I figure after the brake upgrade I would need 1.5" spacers on the front or so... Would this be beneficial for me, or would I be better off with the 4.5" backspace?

 

Id also like to see some more pics of these, specifically the cast ones. For the ones posted itd be nice if someone could say what kind they are as well. Thanks!

 

What size are the cast ones on the red trans am? I'd probably consider these if I had the snowflake part of the rim painted or powercoated black leaving the lip polished. That would probably be spendy though.

 

They are 17inch I have 275/40/17 with no rubbing

 

I have Boyd Coddington 17x8 w 4.5" bs in front......and 17x10 with 6" bs rear and Im running 315's...I could have gone with(or needed) a 5.75 bs in the rear...but they fit.....and I love the Billet snow flakes.....

 

any idea if the 17" snowflakes fit over the ls1 brake upgrade?

 

Bit of an old post, but the cast wheels here are identical (except size) to the 2nd gen styling. The billet wheels are a different design altogether.