Need wheel suggestions... 71 Firebird

[OLDFLM]

Want to update my 71 Firebird... open to wheel suggestions... what do you think would work best? Just want a straight forward driver that looks mean. Will probably go with KORE3 or Touring Classics for brakes... C5/C6 or Z51 stuff depending on the final rim size.
Thinking 17"/18"/19" with 255s up front and 285/295s out back. Split between a 17"/18" vintage/timeless look (ie 17" V45s/18" CL205s) or something more modern with a brushed or grey center with polished lips. (ie 18"/19" Bonspeed/Budnik Cannons/Rushforths). Please let me know your thoughts...
V/R,
Ty

[slyck68]

What plans did you have for the rest of the car? If you were doing more of a restoration look, then the "modern" wheels may not fit your theme as well as the "vintage" look. However, if you are going the pro-touring route, I'm emphatically rooting for the larger, sportier wheels. I suggest finding a theme and sticking with it throughout the car.

[DriverzInc]

We've been talking with Ty regarding one of the new Rushforth Wheels set to debut in the coming week, called "Fuel". It is similiar to our Concept 1, but thinner spokes, and minus the rails along the sides of the spoke. A very classy modern interpretation of a classic five spoke design. I think it would set off his car perfectly... Flat charcoal gray center, and polished outer.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e99/Hensons/Fuel_Art.jpg

[DDY RCKT]

I was going to suggest some Concept I's. They'd work so well on that car!

[DriverzInc]

Concept 1's, are sweet too...

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e99/Hensons/69Camaro_ConceptOne.jpg

[The WidowMaker]

id call jon at driverzinc and get some rushforths. id also look into getting some c6 z06 stuff that i was telling you about. the big rotors and HUGE calipers would look awesome behind some rushforth wheels. jon already knows about the 1.69" that are required to run these calipers.

18/19s with a grey center, but brushed is awesome too. for some reason i was against the brushed when i had only seen them online, but seeing jons car in person changed that opinion really quick.

my plan right now is to get some of their 7 spokes that are still in the works.

tim

[buickfunnycar.com]

We've been talking with Ty regarding one of the new Rushforth Wheels set to debut in the coming week, called "Fuel". It is similiar to our Concept 1, but thinner spokes, and minus the rails along the sides of the spoke. A very classy modern interpretation of a classic five spoke design. I think it would set off his car perfectly... Flat charcoal gray center, and polished outer.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e99/Hensons/Fuel_Art.jpg

That's my thinking exactly Jon...and what I've been telling Ty.:yes:
His shade of color lends itself perfectly to a flat grey-spoked wheel w/polished lips.
Can't wait to see "Fuel" fresh from the CNC machine...be sure to post up a picture...as I know you will:rolleyes: ...and I'll try to sneak yet another set past the wifey when she has her back turned.:rofl:

[andrewmp6]

Everyone likes different rims look at all the big companies and buy the ones you like.

[LCAC_Man]

Coy's C-55 or C-57 in "gun metal" would look great and not break the bank.
http://stores.ebay.com/Coys-Wheel

[OLDFLM]

I've actually been considering the Coys C67s if I go the budget route with a C5 13"/12" disc brake setup. (see atch). Waiting to see the "Fuel" wheel and still debating on what wheel/tire combo will look best as I'll only be doing this once. Still leaning toward a brushed or grey centered wheel with a polished lip. But which one? What sizes? Fuel, Superspoke, Amp, Huntington, GT8, Hammer, Atom, Speedsters, VWW V45s etc.? LOL

To quote musclecarjohn on another thread: "the more you look at different styles,the more confused you'll get!" (c:]

[ALLKAR]

Forgeline
http://cfupload.stevesdomain.net/images/4a510dc3a2.jpg

[OLDFLM]

Now those are sweet... but a little out of my bugdet...
Figure $3500 for the wheels and another $1000 for tires.
I'm trying to do wheels/tires and brakes for around that +/-...
V/R,
Ty

[68protouring454]

look at ccw wheels, you can get 18's for around 2600 and they are very nice and jon is great to deal with

[OLDFLM]

Thanks to ALLKAR for the awesome photochop...

What do you think? lmk

V/R,
Ty

[redfire69]

Wow X2 for the forgelines! You could go with YO billet honeycombs for a vintage look, they are available in 17s and 18s:

http://www.yearone.com/images/parts/n/NTR3417.JPG

btw, nice ride. I see you have few more in the background...

[OLDFLM]

Wow X2 for the forgelines! You could go with YO billet honeycombs for a vintage look, they are available in 17s and 18s:

http://www.yearone.com/images/parts/n/NTR3417.JPG

btw, nice ride. I see you have few more in the background...


Thanks for the complements on the car! It's a work in progress...
I dig the Forgelines too but they're just not in the budget. Wanting
to do wheels/tires and brakes at the same time. Probably KORE3 stuff.
Here's a couple of other pics... might help nail down a wheel that complements the whole car... adding Autometer gauges to the TA bezel too btw... lmk your thoughts...
V/R,
Ty

[DriverzInc]

Here's a couple of other pics... might help nail down a wheel that complements the whole car... adding Autometer gauges to the TA bezel too btw... lmk your thoughts...
V/R,
Ty

Lookin Clean in there Ty!
I went into the production area today and checked on those Fuel's. The Seven spokes, and the new split five spoke were cut first, so looking like another week before I have a Fuel to show you. Patience man, it will be worth the wait.

[72blackbird]

OLDFLM,
Nice 'Bird! Very clean- what are your drivetrain/ suspension specs? I think any spoked 17"/18" rim is going to compliment the lines of a '70-73 Firebird, especially ones w/ classic styling. I personally like the look of the Forgelines or CCWs- also looks very tough and ready for business.

I started with just a few 2 5/8" Utlra-Lites in my dash, but to fit more gauges now I'm planning to replace the stock dash with a NASCAR-style dash aluminum panel. I have Kirkey aluminum racing seats in the car now- very light and great for aggressive driving.

Geno

[OLDFLM]

OLDFLM,
"what are your drivetrain/ suspension specs?"


Pontiac 406, custom Bullet cam, ported #13s... 311rwhp/340rwlbft. TransGo TH350/2500stall, Auburn Posi/3.42s.
PST bushings everywhere/front end rebuilt/HO Racing front springs/stock rears/KYBs. 1 1/4" front & 7/8" rear swaybars.
Basically WS6+ on a 71.

[72blackbird]

Sounds similar to mine (406, M20 4-spd, 3.08 posi db rear, H-O sway bars and springs, e-suspension poly bushings, etc.). I had a TH-350, but blew up two and decided to go stick instead of rebuilding the auto. Have you considered mini-tubbing?

Geno

[OLDFLM]

Our 'birds can fit a 295/35/18 on a 18x10 out back with 5.5" backspacing without any mods. Given that, I'm not sure there's a "need" to minitub our cars. But I sure like the steamroller look of a 335/345 out back!!

Falken just came out with a 295/40/18 in their 615 series that I may run... we'll see. Still trying to pick a wheel for the car and toying with the idea of changing the color to give the entire car a makeover/facelift.

[JohnC]

Hands down I would go with these in 18's if I had your car!

http://www.newstalgiawheel.com/wheel_detail.asp?subcat3=1031102

John

[OLDFLM]

Those are nice and one of my first thoughts but for the cost of those rims I can have something MUCH nicer... there are some SWEET wheels in the works...

[72blackbird]

OLDFLM,
You make a good point- 295/35R18 on a 18 x10 is alot of rubber. I just wish someone made a more affordable rim to go on these gen-2 Firebirds- $600-700/wheel is alot of money, and you stilll need to put rubber on it.

Brett Evans put a 275/35R18/ 18 x 9.5 CCW (5.25" bksp.) on the front of his Splitter project, but that car has GW control arms and a 13" Baer brake kit on it- plenty of rubber for the front IMO. What are you planning to run up front?

Geno

[OLDFLM]

I'll probably run the Falken 615 series as they are the only ones with a 295/40/18 for the rear. For my driver I'll run a 255/45/18 up front with the 40-series rubber out back just b/c I want a little more sidewall on the street.

You could run a 275 up front and a 295 out back...

[72blackbird]

I was thinking just that -275/295s on 18 x 9/ 18 x 10 would look sweet. I was looking at the Coddington Osiris:

https://www.newstalgiawheel.com/images/inventory/new/FW_1244_500.gif

I like the idea of more sidewall, especially on these utlra-low profile tires, but I drive aggressively and think the 27" tires might rub the fender lips- with 26" tires I get no rubbing. The 27" tires would definitely fill the wheelwell better- any thoughts on this?

Geno

[OLDFLM]

I tend to prefer taller sidewalls for looks and the 45/40's seem to recover faster if you lose tracton in a corner. This may not happen with every brand of tire however or maybe I'm a much worse driver than I remember...

SWs red 73 TA had 255/40/18s (4.5bs) and 295/35/18s (5.5bs) on 18x8f & 18x10r without any mods to the car and they didn’t rub. But again I like to run a taller tire with more sidewall to visually fill up our huge 2nd Gen wheel wells…

You could run a 295/35/19 out back and have the same sidewall as the 255/40/18 up front… that would net 26”front & 27” rear diameters. The 45-series on the 18s all around would net 27” front and 28.5” rear. But that's a really tall tire out back and a lot of rotating mass.

I looked for a happy medium and found the 295/40/18 that Falken is now making in their 615 series. Sticky street tire that'll work better at the track and will probably work better when street driven too. JMHO

[OLDFLM]

OLDFLM,
You make a good point- 295/35R18 on a 18 x10 is alot of rubber. I just wish someone made a more affordable rim to go on these gen-2 Firebirds- $600-700/wheel is alot of money, and you stilll need to put rubber on it.

Brett Evans put a 275/35R18/ 18 x 9.5 CCW (5.25" bksp.) on the front of his Splitter project, but that car has GW control arms and a 13" Baer brake kit on it- plenty of rubber for the front IMO. What are you planning to run up front?

Geno

When it comes to wheels you definately get what you pay for but if you're looking for budget minded 18s the CL205s or the Coys wheels fit the bill nicely and offer some choices... CL205s, Coys C5, C67s etc. And I've heard they clean up nicely/easily with soy sauce!:patriot:

[72blackbird]

What about running a 18 x 9.5 (5 x 120mm bolt pattern) with a 285/40R18 F/R? I was looking at these TSW Snettertons:

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findWheelDetail.do?wd=18&c=6&pc=49446&rw=9.5&bp=5-120

Nice design and price. I know the concept of running this bolt pattern on a GM car isn't new, but will the lug nut seats have to be cut to run conical lug nuts?

Geno

[OLDFLM]

You can run those wheels but would have to run spacers/adapters... your call there... I don't personally care for spacers/adapters.

[72blackbird]

OLDFLM,
So these rims have a different seat for the lug nut? I'm wondering if someone hasn't already had the mounting holes reamed out and the seats recut on a CNC to increase the bolt circle diam. .025". The total cost at that point probably makes a custom rim a better choice.

As far as the spacers go, I think any aftermarket brake kit will push the mounting surface out at least .25", eliminating my need for a spacer (I'm not a big fan of them either). In any case, I'll get my front suspension completed before I order wheels.

Have you decided what kind of wheels you're going to run on your 'Bird?

Geno