What wheels to go with

[SilverMk2]

Well its time for me to start thinking about new wheels on the car to go with the new shine job. I thought I'd see if anybody has any great opinions or better choices. I'm trying to do something different from what other folks are doing (in a good way). Size wise I'm looking at 17x8 0 offsets in the front. The backs will probably be in the 17x9.5 or 10 in +10 mm offset. Bolt pattern is still up in the air. Right now I'm thinking about 5 bolt in the back and 4 in the front. I'm not even sure if its worth the cost to do the back 5 bolt conversion and especially the fronts. I guess I should make my mind up here since I've been thinking about it for 2 years now lol. I want to go to a silver or polished center wheel for the next set as well.

Fikse FM5s probably my favorite choice for awhile now.
http://www.fikse.com/images/fm5.jpg
http://www.fikse.com/fm5.html

CCW Classics probably the value choice
http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/Images/Products/Complete_Custom_Wheel/Wheels_Sets.jpg

http://store1.yimg.com/I/wotmstore_1865_10275762.jpg
http://www.ccwheel.com/files/wheelprofiles-model.php?id=classic

Kinesis K57
http://www.kinesismotorsport.com/images/K57_r5_c3.jpg
http://www.kinesismotorsport.com/K57.htm

Work VS-XX probably too long of a lead time though
http://www.work-wheels.co.jp/wheels/index/vs-xx/wheel2.jpg

[Dangerous Ken]

If you are looking at custom made wheels, why the 5 bolt in the back?
Are manufacturers (like centerline) waffling over 4 bolt in 9-10" widths?

Looks like you're torn between a 5 star and a type of meshie.
Do they all fit (caliper to back of spoke) over big brakes? (damn big epsilon bolts...)

Ken

[SilverMk2]

5 bolt mostly for strength (I've got more go juice coming in the future) and also for possible future sales to the blue oval/Z folks. I'm just not sure its worth the cost. I looking mid $500 to do the backs by the time they are installed. I've got Starion front hubs, but by the time I have custom part made for the brackets they are going to be $$$. I wish I grabbed the MS65 hubs when they were available. I really want 5 spokes this time for something different, but I'm not set in stone on it yet. Brake clearance shouldn't be an issue on any of these wheels.

[Malloy]

What do you think of the SSR SP1 5spokes? You can get an aggressive fitment for pretty good $ I think just 1 mk2 owner has fit them so far.

I will prob run these on my next mk2, if I get one. ;) http://www.wheelspecs.com/specs/images/WheelModels/ssr_professorsp1.png

The Fiskes will have wimpy lip and a premium price tag, the CCWs are just uuugly, Kinesis will also have a wimpy lip but cost a fortune, and the VSXX would be ok. That car in Vegas looked great with them.

[Malibyte]

The Fikses are really nice but probably cost a fortune. I'd probably go with the CCWs with the black centers (though I'm not too wild about the gold jewelry around the perimeter). The ones Malloy suggests are pretty nice, too; simple sometimes is a good choice. Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with the wheels you have on the car now? :D

[Malloy]

Thats a good Q. 16" Epsilons look so at home on a mk2.

[zank]

if I had a choice Id go with the Simmons like the ones Malloy use to have :sheep2:

I really dont like any of those wheels besides the Work Wheels. just my .02 cents but I was looking really close at the Work VSXX that John had and they looked really close to the Braid Futura GT's (Christian had a set there at SILV). The only difference was that the Braids bludged out a tad bit, but you cant really notice it till you really look up close.

IMO Id just stick with some Braids, kind of like the ones Khizzil has.....if you plan on going with the VSXX, that way you can save that money and ship me your old wheels :)

[CJSREDPRA]

Thats a good Q. 16" Epsilons look so at home on a mk2.

Aaron has mentioned in the past that the Epsilon's are having fitment issues w/ the JK BBK. There is some rubbing somewhere in the back of the wheels, can't remember if it's the caliper or not. For sure it's not rubber against struts/shocks, I seem to remember it's a brake issue.

[williamb82]

im surprised you didnt mention the braids. i like them more the nthe ccw's, they have a flatter lip. and are about the same pricewise. raptorracing can get them. im going to go with 17x7.5 0 offset front and 17x10 +15mm offset rear myself.

[turbogoo1]

does any one need a right and left testicle? im thinking of selling them to get a set of braids...if you decide to sell them...

[SilverMk2]

I don't know the Fikse have a heck of a lip in low offset.

http://www.fototime.com/3D2396574A8A737/standard.jpg

This think those are Profil 5, but they look so similar. Then again I love 69 Camaros so maybe I'm a little swayed here.

This is a better pic of deep offset polished street CCWs.
http://www.ccwheel.com/files/gallery/chevrolet/c3corvette/classic/4l.jpg

The problem with SSRs is the company is bankrupt. The other problem I have with non-American wheels is I'll get hosed with the bad exchange rate. I really want something "unique" thats why I'm staying away from Simmons and Braids. I do like the 5 spoke Simmons though, but a couple of folks here have them.

[FWDsux]

I'm all about the 5 spokes. The MKII is such a bold car it, IMO, needs bold rims.

If I had had the cash I would have gotten 18" K58R's from Kinesis. Extremely light, reverse drop center, 5 spoke...$1200/each.

http://www.pbase.com/fwdsux/image/51014349/original.jpg

Looking at your choices, the Fiskes look great on that Camaro...but you're not gonna get that kinda lip on the MKII no way.

The CCW's seem to be more like a pure race wheel than other wheels. I don't know if that's just the way it is, but on the Vette there, the wheel bearing grease cap shows.. That's ugly. I'm all about purpose, but there's no need for that to be showing. And the centers are tiny. Tiny centers make wheels look small.

If you're ordering custom wheels then keep the 4 lug. I somehow think that you'll not see enough traction to shear lugs.... :p

K57s are nice and half the price of K58Rs but they have smaller centers which make them look kinda weird. Check it out: http://www.kinesismotorsport.com/toyota.htm

Scroll down and you'll see a black MKIII (Ron Ramirez) with K58R's and right next to it a black MKIV with probably K58s. Which looks better?

[85supra_ftw]

If you're ordering custom wheels then keep the 4 lug. I somehow think that you'll not see enough traction to shear lugs.... :p


The fox body mustang ran 4 lug axles for decades with no real problems shearing lugs off. and a 302 has pleanty of torque to do that if it was gonna try to orjust do it.

[Dangerous Ken]

Thats a good Q. 16" Epsilons look so at home on a mk2.

Aaron, I have a set of 16" Epsilons and looking at big brake options as well.
I'm going to go look for a lower profile Nut and shorter bolt first.
If that yields fruitless, there is the option of welding the hoops and sticking cosmetic bolt heads on the centers. Yes, no longer three piece, but see what you run into when looking to replace the Epsilons... :)

So I voted 'none of the above', hoping you can make the Epsilons work.
If not, you've known for a while that I'd pick up your wheels and make them work :D .

Ken

[SilverMk2]

Ken, I think the easiest option with the BBK is to make a custom one on that sits back further. I've actually thought about doing that in the front. The other option is to use a spacer like I have now and have the hoops changed to go to a +10 offset to reset it back to 0 offset when mounted. With the spacers I have now the wheel occasionally clips the flare (which has now cracked the flare). I've also still got problems in the rear to contend with on that BBK.

For the 5 bolt in the front I was think about going with the Starion hubs with MkIV rotors made to fit (bore them out) and use the wilwood calipers I already have. I had a set of EVO brakes and rotors lined up, but got they sold them out from under me.

As far as the Epsilons go I'll probably try and use them on another car. I think I'll buy an AE86 and start my drifting career :D j/k

[Malloy]

I don't know the Fikse have a heck of a lip in low offset.

That is also a severly modified car with at least 13" wide rears. Look at the size of that tire! I bet he is running a heavy neg offset, modded wheel tubs and/or a shortened rear. Thats quite popular with the Rodders. Yep, he is:
http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/standard?pictid={CEC424EB-AA8B-457F-BB00-3B498353C2FE}
http://www.fototime.com/%7B4A5C297E-41D8-4B09-AF67-ACC20A3DC4DD%7D/picture.JPG
http://www.fototime.com/%7B0EFAFDB8-AA26-47A8-BD50-1D2B75269076%7D/picture.JPG

[MikeD]

malloy, that pic you showed has a rear drum brake? Hope he is not using that brake setup. Well, prolly not...

[Tire Shredder]

You have good taste. That's all I have to say...all look like good choices.


soooo....what's happening with the epsilons again? ;)

what does the "shine job" consist of?

[jdk_ii]

damn, wouldn't it be nice to have some company remake Epsilon/BBS mesh style wheels? ;)

[williamb82]

dont know, i like my enkie's just fine, too bad they dont make them in 17's up to 10in wide. id be all over them.

[85soops]

JDK,
Do you know something we don't know? Is there something you would like to tell all of us? Since you have so many vendors doing numerous projects for you, are you about to tell us of a vendor that will make this a possibility? Do tell, do tell!

Mike Rapp

[Dangerous Ken]

damn, wouldn't it be nice to have some company remake Epsilon/BBS mesh style wheels? ;)

Just the center casting would be nice in 4-114.3 of course.
17", with 'reverse' lips so like a 16" diameter mesh center.

Ken

[SilverMk2]

JDK,
Do you know something we don't know? Is there something you would like to tell all of us? Since you have so many vendors doing numerous projects for you, are you about to tell us of a vendor that will make this a possibility? Do tell, do tell!

Mike Rapp

Compomotive CXNs. Except I'm not going to spend 2k to get wheels that look almost exactly what I have now.

After looking at SW '69 Camaro above I think I just solved the problem. I think I'll sell the Mk2 and buy a beater '69 Camaro :badger: :crossjerk :D

[jdk_ii]

I don't know that many vendors. But sometimes it's just worth asking the question.

Case in point, the guy who could get aluminum casting done.

You should know what I was thinking. MK2 16" replica wheels. :D

But this would obviously be tricky, as it would be done outside of the US.

Then he filled me in on some of the core suppliers of raw wheel components in the US.

Hoops and blank center slugs for 2 piece wheels. And mfg'd in the US.

At ~$200 a wheel (buying only short qty of 4) plus machining/welding costs (medium wildcard),
this could yield something decent if done in quantity.

I'm probably going to investigate in early 2006, when it's friggin cold and
the MK2 withdrawl syndrome has set in...

Aaron - Yep, I've got my CXN's but I really dislike cleaning them.
Although they are nice, custom fit, etc, would I buy another set? Not likely.
Unless the car was a garage queen.

[SilverMk2]

Heck my Epsilons are a pain to clean and my car is a garage queen

[jdk_ii]

Heck my Epsilons are a pain to clean and my car is a garage queen

lol

Those damn mounting bolts that get in the way.

And I should have listened to myself and had the rings clear coated.

Cleaning the spokes is tolerable, as I modified a few wheel brushes
to make it faster.

[dogstar]

any of those wheels are great choices... i think id go for a spoked design, especially after seeing all those snypers.

fiske

[sarinas_dragons]

Ooooo. Of two that are my secret favorites only one manufacturer has even been mentioned before, Circle. But I'm gonna get Jongbloed McClarens baby. http://www.jongbloedracing.com/jong_vintage.html

The Circle four-spokes in silver are cool, too, and will probably be less hassle in the long run. I'd like to get a set of 15x10 steel wheels for the front and a set of 15x14 steel rears to run some historic Goodyear racing slicks. Good luck.

[KCheng]

http://www.kodiakracingwheels.com/images/17inchrt-gold.jpg

17" RT Gold Anodized 17 x 8.0 $482ea from http://www.kodiakracingwheels.com

[Eric]

Those Work 17s are sexy, I like the all silver like on Chad Z.'s Black 82 Spearco. You can't lose either way, that Silver '85 is SWEET!

Eric

[Bay_707]

boyd coddington tuned. Lol.

[Malloy]

Arent the Jongbloed wheels terack only? ie. not the best for the street?

[Greg G]

Arent the Jongbloed wheels terack only? ie. not the best for the street?

LOL I think he was being sarcastic... looks like theyre all centerlocks and the description says theyre replicas for vintage GT40 and McLaren.

My vote is for the Fikse FM5s... seems like thats all Street King rolls on his awesome collection of cars

[jdk_ii]

Arent the Jongbloed wheels terack only? ie. not the best for the street?
correct-a-mundo.

[Malloy]

They also have std lug wheels in the same design :)

[rsdeo]

I don't know that many vendors. But sometimes it's just worth asking the question.

Case in point, the guy who could get aluminum casting done.

You should know what I was thinking. MK2 16" replica wheels. :D

But this would obviously be tricky, as it would be done outside of the US.

Then he filled me in on some of the core suppliers of raw wheel components in the US.

Hoops and blank center slugs for 2 piece wheels. And mfg'd in the US.

At ~$200 a wheel (buying only short qty of 4) plus machining/welding costs (medium wildcard),
this could yield something decent if done in quantity.

I too have discovered a few manufacturers of 2 and 3 pce wheel parts overseas. One in particular stands out that may be promising, producing both centers and hoops. It's in a country both my parents grew up in till their mid teens before each individualy moved to the UK. They are going to visit in November to see my grandmother. I will see if my father can go and get some pricing.

My brother-in-law also imports products from there for his business. We could share a container for shipping possibly to cut costs.

[RaptorRacing]

I like the all silver like on Chad Z.'s Black 82 Spearco.
Eric

Chads were Braids from Spain...

[sarinas_dragons]

No disagreement here either. And a garage is not a racetrack. He said garage-queen so I thought that opened the door to a range of off-street choices. Circle and Keizer both advertise the will make you hoops, custom. I never asked but maybe they'd make 'em DOT thick. With all the money spent on mediocre, crappy-looking wheels out there I just want the stock-look in size choices. I've lived with tire-fender/suspension interference problems and life's better without them.

[sarinas_dragons]

That's good news. What would be the most wanted sizes?

[SilverMk2]

Well right now I'm still leaning on the Fikses. I talked to them and the price isn't as bad as I originally thought. About 2700 for the wheels and another 1000 for the tires. So its a little cheaper than the 4000 that I was figuring, still freaking expensive though. I've been trying to get them to send me a pic of a similar size FM5. It seems like the Works are slightly more expensive and you have to order them from one of those ricer shops is more than a little scary. Sigh all this for a $3000 car lol

[redma61]

i personaly like the work vsxx,cool looking wheels.i actually run the work equip 01 and am going thrue offsets.i got 15x8 0 offset and probably going to sell them.i have 15x9 -13 and 15x10 -13 now whaiting to get put on just need money for tires.so yeah i would go with the vsxx they will have a real aggresive lip.

[KCheng]

wasnt there a guy called btune on the forums that is a retailer for the works? PM him and see if you can get a good price

[Racefiend]

if I had a choice Id go with the Simmons like the ones Malloy use to have :sheep2:

I really dont like any of those wheels besides the Work Wheels. just my .02 cents but I was looking really close at the Work VSXX that John had and they looked really close to the Braid Futura GT's (Christian had a set there at SILV). The only difference was that the Braids bludged out a tad bit, but you cant really notice it till you really look up close.

IMO Id just stick with some Braids, kind of like the ones Khizzil has.....if you plan on going with the VSXX, that way you can save that money and ship me your old wheels :)

Yeah they look almost identical. When I first saw them I was like "hey, a set of Braids!" Then I got closer and noticed they were Work wheels. The one big difference, besides the braid centers stick out a bit, is that the Work wheels use a 17" center (or so it seems), where the Braid uses a 16", so the Works have a straight lip where the Braids have a stepped lip, which make them look smaller. Oh, and the Braids have the celica supra center cap :D

Christian

[badboysupra]

hey Christian! its me Karlo man, well hows the SILV??? did you get yer car dynoed? and also I just wanna ask if where I can get RCA's for our cars. peace! -KBR

[Racefiend]

Whats up Karlo, long time no see! SILV was cool. Had a total blast as usual, though this time I didn't do a whole lot of Vegas specific activities :(. I didn't hit the dyno there, as nothing changed since I last dynoed here. not to mention I was only boosting a little over 6psi while in Vegas and I kept hitting boost cut.

Are you down for another drag night? I'm going to be putting an emanage in pretty soon and I know Gerald and Gemil are down to go again, so we may hit it up before the end of the season.

As far as RCA's, Jim King and Whiteline are the only ones I know of. And I think there's some issue with the Whitelines. You'll have to search though, cause I don't remmeber.

Christian