Help me decide

[Paraman1]

So I need to swap out the wheels on my El Camino in order to drive it (the fronts rub on the fender wells) . I have roughly 1400 bucks in my Hot Rod savings fund . I want some Billet specialties which will pretty much eat my whole budget for the year . I can live with some Torq Thrust II's for roughly a grand which were my first choice until I realized everyone on earth was running them or I could just get some Vette wheels with spacers for around 500 bucks to roll on until I can afford something better .

Here's my ride and the wheel choices . Would you blow your whole budget for the year on wheels or get something to roll on while doing other projects ? I already have the tires sitting in my garage .

[malibu795]

run the vette... that way you can drive it and do other things.

[fishface]

I agree if you just want to.get it on the road for the summer do the Vette wheels. You can always sell them later to go toward the ones you want. I had TT when I bought my car as you see in pic, but noticed 75% of cars I saw at shows also had them as you said. I had some rallies for awhile but that didnt do it either. Ended up with Billet Specialties Stilletos after a year of looking and going back to them every time. When you get to that point, by all means get what you want the first time or pay for them twice.

[GregWeld]

Never waste money just doing a "place holder". That isn't moving the project forward. If you're going to do that -- just continue to drive what's on it.



The reason you see TT II's on everyone's car is because everyone LIKES THEM. What's wrong with that theory? It's like around here with '69 Camaro's... We all like them. So what. Why buy a Nash if you like a Camaro just because everyone else has a Camaro.


There's nothing wrong with CLASSIC good looks....

[fishface]

No problem agreeing with you that many people like TT2s, and they are easily one of the best looking wheels in that price range. Everyone has their own taste, I am just striving to make mine a little different down the road, hopefully in a good way. The trick is to make changes that you are happy with long term or have some deep pockets. Lol

[Roger Poirier]

Don't buy anything twice! However, when it comes time to paint then order your new rims and tires. Always go with quality products. You will be happy in the long run.

[GregWeld]

No problem agreeing with you that many people like TT2s, and they are easily one of the best looking wheels in that price range. Everyone has their own taste, I am just striving to make mine a little different down the road, hopefully in a good way. The trick is to make changes that you are happy with long term or have some deep pockets. Lol



This is always the balancing act.... Not everyone can run Forgelines... so sometimes you have to get something you can afford that is "similar" in looks etc.


All too often on here I see people spending oodles of money on stuff most of us know dang well will never get used as it's intended. Buying lightweight race wheels for a street car that will never be on a track --- kinda never made much sense to me.... Kinda reminds me of where I live in Bellevue --- watching these giant jacked up 4 wheel drive trucks with every off road attachment they can buy -- to park at the mall.... I understand the "look" --- just don't understand not actually using what it is you wasted the money on. But that's just me I guess.


Love your El Camino.... always have liked those (had a '69 396 SS back about 1972).... it was useless and I loved it. HAHAHAHAHA

[Paraman1]

This is always the balancing act.... Not everyone can run Forgelines... so sometimes you have to get something you can afford that is "similar" in looks etc.


All too often on here I see people spending oodles of money on stuff most of us know dang well will never get used as it's intended. Buying lightweight race wheels for a street car that will never be on a track --- kinda never made much sense to me.... Kinda reminds me of where I live in Bellevue --- watching these giant jacked up 4 wheel drive trucks with every off road attachment they can buy -- to park at the mall.... I understand the "look" --- just don't understand not actually using what it is you wasted the money on. But that's just me I guess.


Love your El Camino.... always have liked those (had a '69 396 SS back about 1972).... it was useless and I loved it. HAHAHAHAHA

That is why I like the Billet Specialties , they are a good balance between the Forgelines I like and how the car will actually be used . My plan if I purchase the Billet Specialties is to have the centers powdercoated a gunmetal gray . I also plan to upgrade the suspension and brakes over time . My biggest struggle right now is the budget as I have 1 Daughter in college and another who will be starting just about the time she finishes . I am able to squirrel away a couple hundred bucks a month so it will probably take me a year and a half to save up for my suspension and almost another year for the brakes let alone the LS swap , body work , paint , etc.

My second biggest struggle is my patience .... LOL

[Track Junky]

I am able to squirrel away a couple hundred bucks a month so it will probably take me a year and a half to save up for my suspension and almost another year for the brakes let alone the LS swap , body work , paint , etc.

My second biggest struggle is my patience .... LOL

You nailed it right there buddy........"patience". If you only have a couple of hundred a month to spend hold off and stick with what you have. Brakes and suspension should be your number one priority. If your budget is that small stick with 15" wheels. you can pull 15" wheels off on that car easily. Also keep in mind tires are going to get more expensive the larger the diameter.

[Paraman1]

You nailed it right there buddy........"patience". If you only have a couple of hundred a month to spend hold off and stick with what you have. Brakes and suspension should be your number one priority. If your budget is that small stick with 15" wheels. you can pull 15" wheels off on that car easily. Also keep in mind tires are going to get more expensive the larger the diameter.

I have the tires sitting in the garage . The problem is that both the fronts that are currently on it are hitting on the outer lip of the wheel well which is cutting the heck out of them . I tried finding a set of narrower 15's , or something with more backspace , of the same design but American racing is really proud of them at around 250 bucks apiece .

Trust me , if I could just run what I already have without constantly tearing crap up we wouldn't be having this conversation :)

[214Chevy]

I say, point blank, buy what you really want. If you're like me, you'll never be happy until you get what you want. Especially, if you go with another wheel "just to have or put something on there for now." The more you look at the Billet Specialites, the more you'll dislike and start to hate the "other wheel." Although it'll take you a bit longer, save and be patient.....there's no rush. Like it was mentioned earlier...don't waste money on something you really don't want. Although, TT II's are an iconic wheel, if you really don't like them or just think they are so-so, then don't waste your time and definitly your money. Just my $.02.

[Paraman1]

For those of you wondering what direction I finally went , fate and finances converged on me yesterday . I found a set of Torq Thrust II's on Ebay with the correct width's and backspacing for 770 bucks shipped . It seemed like a better alternative than the Corvette wheels that would be a place holder . I thought about it all day and even went back through my notes on ideas for this build when I came across a picture of a 66 Chevelle I had seen and fallen in Love with wearing the TTII's . I just wish everyone didn't have as good of taste in wheels as I do ;)

Maybe when I get closer to the finish line on this build I will have some custom hoops built but for now these will keep me happy and with the sale of the wheels and tires currently on the car I will still have a nice cushion/jump on the next portion of the project .

[GregWeld]

Great!!


Think of it this way --- if a beautiful woman walks in, EVERYONE watches her and thinks the same thing (WOW!)...

If you're the only idiot in the bar that doesn't turn around and think the same thing -- then it's YOU that's weird - not everyone else. LOL

The TTII's have been one of the greatest wheels in the history of wheels - right up there with the "Halibrand" etc. Just go with it!

[CURVES]

^^^^^^yup!

[ADiCarlo]

in for the pictures of the new wheels mounted!! Let's see them!

[StilOwnMy1stCar]

I just ordered a set of 17" MB Old School Wheels through Discount Tire Direct for $520 delivered with lug nuts. They look like a more modern Torq Thrust.

[Paraman1]

I just ordered a set of 17" MB Old School Wheels through Discount Tire Direct for $520 delivered with lug nuts. They look like a more modern Torq Thrust.

I went and looked at the MB wheels in person and just didn't care for them which was unfortunate as they were one of the few wheels I could get off the shelf with the correct backspacing .

[Paraman1]

Got the tires and wheels mounted up today . Specs are 17x8 with 4.81 inches of backspacing on the front with a 245/45r17 BFG KDW-2 , 17x9.5 with 5.5 backspacing on the rear with a 275/40r17 BFG KDW-2 . The rear is fairly tight but I can get my fingers in between the tire and the fender well . If and when I have the money to order custom wheels I will run a 6 inch backspacing as that would have centered it perfectly . Still leaves me some money for a few other projects and gets rid of the rubbing issues .