When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Wheels and TiresNeed help with wheels or tires? Got fitment issues? Have questions about tire performance and handling? Ask all of those questions here!
...I've got the first set of gold/machined that comes off the truck. Been buggin' the crap outta Ryan. ....anyday now. ...as for polished, meh.....without the painted accents,I think the wheels lose their detail. My stock 16"s are painted, but with polished faces, which looks awesome. Talked to Hawk's about doing that for me....painting the accents and leaving the faces polished. They said they'd do it and gave me a rough quote, but since the size isn't stock, I want the finish to be.
Personally, I prefer the OEM machined finish...so I'd be a "no".
...but I do plan on eventually buying the machined "two stripe" 17's for my '88 IROC.
Hey weren’t you on Buick forum? I had a regal gs for a short period. Pretty sure I recognize the username
Originally Posted by Abubaca
...I've got the first set of gold/machined that comes off the truck. Been buggin' the crap outta Ryan. ....anyday now. ...as for polished, meh.....without the painted accents,I think the wheels lose their detail. My stock 16"s are painted, but with polished faces, which looks awesome. Talked to Hawk's about doing that for me....painting the accents and leaving the faces polished. They said they'd do it and gave me a rough quote, but since the size isn't stock, I want the finish to be.
I think they’ll look better once you see them on a vehicle. Either way I hope everyone posts up pics as soon as they’re installed, whichever finish you get.
I think they’ll look better once you see them on a vehicle. Either way I hope everyone posts up pics as soon as they’re installed, whichever finish you get.
Oh, I don't think they look bad at all. ...I just think that chromed or polished, they don't look stock anymore. They certainly look good either way. Regardless, yes....pics pics pics!!!! -once they're here!!!!!
Hey weren’t you on Buick forum? I had a regal gs for a short period. Pretty sure I recognize the username
A while back, most likely. We had a ‘93 Century wagon for 13 years, and made the mistake of selling it to our son, and I was looking for a taillight to fix some of the damage he did.
The username comes from the ‘64 Galaxie500XL I drove for 18 years. I still miss that car.
It's kinda like when your computer tell you how many seconds to finish downloading something. ....it'll say 30 second, then 29, 28, 27 as it counts down the seconds, BUT....it'll stay on a number for 30 seconds sometimes before it counts down to the next number. Just because it says 15 seconds remaining....it's really not.
I guess I'm just bitter about wheels and have no patience for the continued delays. Waiting on 6LE for month...after month...after month, then Hawks shows up to not simply help us out, but ups the ante with an exact replica!!!! YES!!!! ....now waiting month...after month...after month. At least I still have my money this time. I'm an Ops Manager by day, and if anybody understands production delays it's me, but as a customer I'm just out of patience.
...BUT...Hawk's has served me well over the years and I will wait. ...and when those gold wheels are ready, I will buy them.
It's kinda like when your computer tell you how many seconds to finish downloading something. ....it'll say 30 second, then 29, 28, 27 as it counts down the seconds, BUT....it'll stay on a number for 30 seconds sometimes before it counts down to the next number. Just because it says 15 seconds remaining....it's really not.
Ha! That's true.....Hawks has been changing the ETA a couple times....
Has there been any detail as to the offset or backspacing on the 17x9 "double stripe" wheels? Also curios if the center cap opening is the same size as the stock 16" so I can just swap those over. I see they come with blanks but id like to get the IROC logo back in there
Kinda been watching this to see what comes of it. It will be nice to have a 17" option.
That said, centre caps were mentioned and that raises a question I have. Where do you find new or used caps for the single stripe wheel? Besides E-Bay. And if E-Bay is the only source, does anyone have a reliable vendor?
Has there been any detail as to the offset or backspacing on the 17x9 "double stripe" wheels? Also curios if the center cap opening is the same size as the stock 16" so I can just swap those over. I see they come with blanks but id like to get the IROC logo back in there
Offset is listed a 5.5".
I'm sure the stock centre caps will fit right in. I doubt Hawks would go through all the trouble to not have them fit.
I did save a pic they had on their website at one time:
Offset is listed a 5.5".
I'm sure the stock centre caps will fit right in. I doubt Hawks would go through all the trouble to not have them fit.
I did save a pic they had on their website at one time:
I just pre-ordered a set of these.....a way cool wheel !!
Too bad they aren't doing a 17X9 in the 85-87 IROC style. I would definitely be up for a set. Especially at this great price from Hawks. I've seen the 18x8, not my thing.
Must say though, seeing the black spoke 17" GTAs on KMK454's IROC makes me think these might not be a bad way to go. I suppose for my red 87, gold might be the best choice colorwise. Hmm, definitely got me thinking.
Too bad they aren't doing a 17X9 in the 85-87 IROC style. I would definitely be up for a set. Especially at this great price from Hawks. I've seen the 18x8, not my thing.
Must say though, seeing the black spoke 17" GTAs on KMK454's IROC makes me think these might not be a bad way to go. I suppose for my red 87, gold might be the best choice colorwise. Hmm, definitely got me thinking.
A while back, most likely. We had a ‘93 Century wagon for 13 years, and made the mistake of selling it to our son, and I was looking for a taillight to fix some of the damage he did.
The username comes from the ‘64 Galaxie500XL I drove for 18 years. I still miss that car.
So funny. I'm just finishing a 64 Galaxy 500XL at the shop. Gorgeous car.
Same here. My IROC had Weld wheels on it when I bought the car...I couldn’t get them off the car fast enough once I found a set of OEM wheels..sold the Weld wheels to my son for his ‘87 El Camino..they looked better on his car anyway.
It's good to have choices... I saw this posted on Facebook today. More choices http://us-mags.com/iroc-deep-concave-u550-w-12365.htm
I sent a request to US Mags for more information on specs of 18x9 and 18x10 wheels. I'll start a new thread on these, HERE because I don't want to sideline this thread since it's about a slightly different version.
Last edited by Lurbie; 12-31-2018 at 06:05 AM.
Reason: Edit to add new thread link.
Hawks Motorsports / Hawks Third Generation, LLC 's 88-90 chrome and silver machine finish 17x9 Iroc-Z reproduction wheels have arrived and are ready to ship! These wheels are quite impressive in person!
We are still working on the Firehawks , my hang up is the perfect size , people are all over the place on size preference , I was wanting to do a 18X10 cast wheel but the fitment is TIGHT!!!! and requires some slight mods for clearance but very runable , I really like the way this size fits the car but Tire size is limited as well , so I could do a 18X9 I guess. I would like opinions . The other choice I have is on the center cap , what is general opinions there as the original cap was a cast cap and the new ones will have to be a billet which adds cost or we could do a open lug stlye wheel too which I think would look cool but not be period correct. Give me some good honest opinions guys !. Thanks Bruce
We are still working on the Firehawks , my hang up is the perfect size , people are all over the place on size preference , I was wanting to do a 18X10 cast wheel but the fitment is TIGHT!!!! and requires some slight mods for clearance but very runable , I really like the way this size fits the car but Tire size is limited as well , so I could do a 18X9 I guess. I would like opinions . The other choice I have is on the center cap , what is general opinions there as the original cap was a cast cap and the new ones will have to be a billet which adds cost or we could do a open lug stlye wheel too which I think would look cool but not be period correct. Give me some good honest opinions guys !. Thanks Bruce
Bruce, IMO, your 17 inch Firehawk wheels are perfect. I'm not a fan of 18 inch wheels on 3rd gen's but I do think your new 17 inch IROC wheels look great !!
I would stay with the center cap on the Firehawk wheels, open lugs would destroy the "look" of that wheel, that's just my opinion. Thanks for all that you do for our third gens !!
We are still working on the Firehawks , my hang up is the perfect size , people are all over the place on size preference , I was wanting to do a 18X10 cast wheel but the fitment is TIGHT!!!! and requires some slight mods for clearance but very runable , I really like the way this size fits the car but Tire size is limited as well , so I could do a 18X9 I guess. I would like opinions . The other choice I have is on the center cap , what is general opinions there as the original cap was a cast cap and the new ones will have to be a billet which adds cost or we could do a open lug stlye wheel too which I think would look cool but not be period correct. Give me some good honest opinions guys !. Thanks Bruce
What are the tire sizes that we are limited to? What are the modifications that would have to be made? I would want a center cap vs an open lug. I'm interested in an 18" wheel for strut and tie rod end clearance--i think that's the major selling point for most people of 17" vs 18". Future tire availability may be another point. I also like the look of the 17" version. I'm not beholden to the firehawk look, I'd also buy an IROC in an 18" though.
Just heard from Hawk's. No gold Irocs for a few more months. DOH!!!!!!!!! Not directing this frustration towards Hawks at all, but going all the way back to my talks with 6LE well over a year ago, it just seems like I'm destined to NOT get new wheels!!!!! Don't they know I NEED to spend money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
If you can come up with a 17" that will clear larger brakes then I'd be fine with that. The 18" x 9 sounds good as well depending on fitment for lowered cars. As for center caps, keep them on!
18" x 9.5" or 18" x 10" - don't even bother with 9" wide unless you are going to make the 10" also. 275-35-18 is perfect on a 10" wheel, 285-35-18 works just as well. I personally wouldn't go wider than a 265 on a 9" wheel.
Originally Posted by hawksthirdgen
We are still working on the Firehawks , my hang up is the perfect size , people are all over the place on size preference , I was wanting to do a 18X10 cast wheel but the fitment is TIGHT!!!! and requires some slight mods for clearance but very runable , I really like the way this size fits the car but Tire size is limited as well , so I could do a 18X9 I guess. I would like opinions . The other choice I have is on the center cap , what is general opinions there as the original cap was a cast cap and the new ones will have to be a billet which adds cost or we could do a open lug stlye wheel too which I think would look cool but not be period correct. Give me some good honest opinions guys !. Thanks Bruce
The other choice I have is on the center cap , what is general opinions there as the original cap was a cast cap and the new ones will have to be a billet which adds cost or we could do a open lug stlye wheel too which I think would look cool but not be period correct. Give me some good honest opinions guys !. Thanks Bruce
If you don't put the center cap on I don't think they will sell, whats the point of a replica wheel if the fundamentals of the look are different? I personally wouldn't buy it without the center caps. In fact, I need another set of caps for my 17" wheels, but I can't find them for sale separately.
We are still working on the Firehawks , my hang up is the perfect size , people are all over the place on size preference , I was wanting to do a 18X10 cast wheel but the fitment is TIGHT!!!! and requires some slight mods for clearance but very runable , I really like the way this size fits the car but Tire size is limited as well , so I could do a 18X9 I guess. I would like opinions . The other choice I have is on the center cap , what is general opinions there as the original cap was a cast cap and the new ones will have to be a billet which adds cost or we could do a open lug stlye wheel too which I think would look cool but not be period correct. Give me some good honest opinions guys !. Thanks Bruce
18x9.5 is a solid choice. Still offers 18" and easily fits a 275 tire which is easy to fit under the car on all corners, lots of tire options, can be used by everyone from street to autoX, and even track days (with the right tires) for the casual enthusiast. I'm planning on a set of the current 17x9.5 Firehawks after I get my new 9" and go back to thirdgen width axle.
But, we both know that all the autoX/road race enthusiasts are chomping at the bit for some bolt on 18x10.5 or 18x11 wheels to wrap with 315's. If you can't make them light enough, then you'll just have to make the price low enough for that market.
As for the center cap, all 3 are great options. The original style was always good enough and would keep the cost down. Open lugs would look ok if the wheel is machined to make it look right.
18" x 9.5" or 18" x 10" - don't even bother with 9" wide unless you are going to make the 10" also. 275-35-18 is perfect on a 10" wheel, 285-35-18 works just as well. I personally wouldn't go wider than a 265 on a 9" wheel.
* The problem with wide wheels is it often needs custom fitment to the car, especially with all the aftermarket axles and brakes in use. Perhaps one way to overcome that problem is to make the backspace a little deep and let the customer fine-tune fitment with small spacers. I know my Strange 12 bolt is wider than stock so if you don't make the backspace extra deep then I'll never be able to use the wheels.
* Maybe choose a width that pairs up well with tires offered on a high volume car like the Corvette or BMW. That way you have better luck of tires being in supply for a long while, both in cornering and drag radial variants. Just think of all the weird 18 inch tire sizes out there... They're going to disappear. My friend can't even buy good street/track tires for his Porsche Cayman any more and the car isn't even that old!
* Staggered front and rear sizes might be the least risky. The "performance handling" guys are going to have a conniption fit but let's be honest... they're not the type of people that will buy because a Firehawk wheel weighs a ton. It might be better to cater to the cruisers that want the fat tire look in the rear but don't care if the front is super wide.
Just heard from Hawk's. No gold Irocs for a few more months. DOH!!!!!!!!! Not directing this frustration towards Hawks at all, but going all the way back to my talks with 6LE well over a year ago, it just seems like I'm destined to NOT get new wheels!!!!! Don't they know I NEED to spend money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
I almost said the same thing on your Facebook page, give up on the wheels, get new seats. I did, settled for those XXR wheels and ordered a Strange S60 over Thanksgiving. Maybe I can have nice wheels in the future after someone else goes through all of the growing pains of releasing the perfect wheel.
I almost said the same thing on your Facebook page, give up on the wheels, get new seats. I did, settled for those XXR wheels and ordered a Strange S60 over Thanksgiving. Maybe I can have nice wheels in the future after someone else goes through all of the growing pains of releasing the perfect wheel.
I remember when the 91-92 Firehawk's came out, and how that stance was with that 275/40/17 tire. ALWAYS felt that for appearance, that was perfect. Then the SLP 4th gen cars..... ....always wanted that size in an 88-90 wheel. Thought about the 85-87 and having it widened, then considered repop firehawks, then almost got it done with the 6LE deal. ...but always wanted that 88-90. Then it finally happened. -but not quite. Even thought for a minute about buying it in grey and having 'em painted gold myself. .....but I think i'm gonna let it go for now and focus on seats.
11-14-2018, 05:48 PM
Well, at least it's a nice problem to have.
Not directing this frustration towards Hawks at all, but going all the way back to my talks with 6LE well over a year ago, it just seems like I'm destined to NOT get new wheels!!!!! Don't they know I NEED to spend money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol 
