Replacement Wheels - Need Some Help, I'm All Jammed Up!


ViperJoe

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Aug 17, 2006
1,305
Washington Crossing, PA
I intend to replace my 18"/19" OEM forged BBS wheels with 19"/20" HRE, IForged, Fikse or a similar quality wheel that strikes my fancy. I've looked on numerous websites but the photos are simply inadequate in allowing me to decide what I like. So I'm asking those of you that have replaced your wheels to post some close-up photos of your wheels (front and rear) and if possible note the front and rear wheel and tire sizes and weight.

Thanks ..... joe
 
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soon

2-3 weeks from now I'll show you my CCW C14s. http://www.ccwheel.com
Mine are for the road race track but he has cool wheel set ups for drags for the GT. Also street apps.

Ed
 
Ed, do they make the c14 in sizes for the GT? I thought you were happy with Hoosier on street and track, why the extra wheels? What sizes are you getting for the wheels and tires?
 
I intend to replace my 18"/19" OEM forged BBS wheels with 19"/20" HRE, IForged, Fikse or a similar quality wheel that strikes my fancy. I've looked on numerous websites but the photos are simply inadequate in allowing me to decide what I like. So I'm asking those of you that have replaced your wheels to post some close-up photos of your wheels (front and rear) and if possible note the front and rear wheel and tire sizes and weight.

Thanks ..... joe



:willy:willy:willy I'm at the same point and have the same dilema :willy:willy:willy

Let's keep in touch as we navigate through the options available. My goal is to find a Blk/ Chrome set, easy to clean and looking at the 19/20 combo.... Tires - 255 front/ 355 rear Michelins is the way I'm leaning Joe...
 
:willy:willy:willy I'm at the same point and have the same dilema :willy:willy:willy

Let's keep in touch as we navigate through the options available.
Absolutely!
 
2-3 weeks from now I'll show you my CCW C14s. http://www.ccwheel.com
Mine are for the road race track but he has cool wheel set ups for drags for the GT. Also street apps.

Ed

What size wheels are you using? They don't list a 19" wheel. Are these lighter than the BBS Light weight wheels?
 
I purchased a set of True Forged Wheels from Steve @ 818-357 2531. He was very easy to deal with and very fair prices. DBK did a chop of what they will look like when done. I'll get him to post them. They are still a few weeks out and I will post pics when installed.
As for the tires sizes, I believe the Michelins are 335 20 30's for the rear not 355. if I'm wrong please post it because I would rather have the 355's. The 335's are about 3/4's of an inch shorter overall than the stock Goodyears and 355 would be right on:thumbsup. The fronts, 275 35 19's are just a hair larger overall than stock.
 
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I intend to replace my 18"/19" OEM forged BBS wheels with 19"/20" HRE, IForged, Fikse or a similar quality wheel that strikes my fancy. I've looked on numerous websites but the photos are simply inadequate in allowing me to decide what I like. So I'm asking those of you that have replaced your wheels to post some close-up photos of your wheels (front and rear) and if possible note the front and rear wheel and tire sizes and weight.

Thanks ..... joe

Follow this link for pictures:

http://www.humagen.com/2964/2985.html

For contact:

[email protected] or [email protected]

I understand these wheels are available in the sizes you specify, and whatever width you desire up to 13 inches. This company has spec'd the wheel package in conjunction with HRE's folks and HRE's basic design and has been testing the wheels, proper alignment specifications for tire contact and wear, and also handling characteristics. For performance use they strongly recommend the 19 inch rear and 18 or 19 inch fronts. For appearance, you can get any size you want. You can also forego the titanium retaining bolts (about $500 retail per wheel, but I believe they are talking about a discount offer to Forum/Club members) and save money, but the wheels will weigh about 1.5-2 pounds more. I believe they are ready to release for sale and are in the process of a photo shoot with the car, according to Rueben.
 
I purchased a set of True Forged Wheels from Steve @ 818-357 2531. He was very easy to deal with and very fair prices. DBK did a chop of what they will look like when done. I'll get him to post them. They are still a few weeks out and I will post pics when installed.
As for the tires sizes, I believe the Michelins are 335 20 30's for the rear not 355. if I'm wrong please post it because I would rather have the 355's. The 335's are about 3/4's of an inch shorter overall than the stock Goodyears and 355 would be right on:thumbsup. The fronts, 275 35 19's are just a hair larger overall than stock.

Hello Steve,
I have 335-30-20's on the back and 275-35-19's on the front. The fit is perfect. Me happy:lol
Cheers,
daniel
 
335's are the max. 355's will not fit properly.
 
In theory the cars handling depends on the width of the front and rear tires. Increasing the width of the front tire and or reducing its aspect ration will reduce understeer. The GT is intentionally setup to understeer and a wider front than the 235 will reduce or eliminate it, not a bad thing to do. However, go to far and you will have oversteer which can be a frightening thing for most drivers in a high speed corner. Anyone know how the 335 rear wtih a 275 front handles in regards to understeer or oversteer?

I was told the 235 was choosen to balance the handling toward understeer, even though it looks to small for the car.
 
BlackIce,

On the GT I cannot, but on a C5 ZO6 it made quit a difference. I have seen the same results on a few other cars as well, but this is the closest reference I have to our weight distribution/tire aspects front to rear:

Solves understeer

Creates more oversteer, but is managable and feels real neutral in a drift, But has better weight distribution that the GT.

Wider up front also was noticable in braking. The tire stops the car not the brakes, so the ABS kicks in much later. This was very noticable, even more so with slicks as they are much lighter.

The wider tire also creates more drag, so your theoretical top speed would be a bit lower.

Toe and alignment also has an effect on understeer.

Alex from T/A shocks did a lot of the tire testing for the cars. You may want to give him a shout for more hardcore GT data, if have not already.

I am with you that the tires do appear undersized for the car, but what I was told is that I need to go back and calc the weight distribution to tire ratio. I was told it was not as bad as it looks. Meaning there is not as much weight up there. My response was the Porsche guys do it wider. To which he replied, do you really want it to mis-handle like a porsche. I am stil with you and will likely try it some day.

But finally, the cheapest way I know to cure the understeer on our cars it to add some throttle and she rotates just fine. One good set of tires and a clear lot is a big confidence improver :biggrin

I loved watching the Stig in those recently posted Top Gear vids or even the GT ad with Rod Millen driving. But it's hard to muster up the courage to do that in the GT just yet. But I do have it almost perfected in the Z06, with only one off-road experience to my credit so far.
 
well I've been dealing with this same tire issue. I ordered a set of Iforged yesterday...19/20 combo..what tire combo we came up with was:

Pirelli P zero

245/40/19
315/35/20

seemed to be the closest to OEM size. Front is only 0.39" wider and 0.39" higher
back is the same width as OEM and only 0.24 higher

to me this seems like the best fit for the 19/20 combo.......I hope cuz I already ordered them!

The Michelins are over 1" (1.01) shorter in the back..........and 1 1/2" wider in the front....doesn't 1" shorter in the back really effect the speedo?
 
well I've been dealing with this same tire issue. I ordered a set of Iforged yesterday...19/20 combo..what tire combo we came up with was:

Pirelli P zero

245/40/19
315/35/20

seemed to be the closest to OEM size. Front is only 0.39" wider and 0.39" higher
back is the same width as OEM and only 0.24 higher

to me this seems like the best fit for the 19/20 combo.......I hope cuz I already ordered them!

The Michelins are over 1" (1.01) shorter in the back..........and 1 1/2" wider in the front....doesn't 1" shorter in the back really effect the speedo?


See the other threads regarding PS2's Steve and I are running without any issues.:thumbsup You can adjust the speedo error with the computer according the info I have. My GPS indicates an error of 2-3mph+ at 80mph. I do like the look of the wider tires. I understand the P tires are great and very sticky as well. CONGRAT on your buy, please post pictures.
 
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See the other threads regarding PS2's Steve and I are running without any issues.:thumbsup You can adjust the speedo error with the computer according the info I have. My GPS indicates an error of 2-3mph+ at 80mph. I do like the look of the wider tires. I understand the P tires are great and very sticky as well. CONGRAT on your buy, please post pictures.

hey thanks....can't wait.....only thing is I hope the color I picked looks good....can't really tell from the iforged site........kinda scary buying custom wheels without really seeing what they're gonna look like........:eek

yeah everyone has been saying how sticky the p tires are......thats why I wanted them......gonna need it when the whipple goes on in a few weeks :biggrin
 
2-3 weeks from now I'll show you my CCW C14s. http://www.ccwheel.com
Mine are for the road race track but he has cool wheel set ups for drags for the GT. Also street apps.

Ed

Ed turned me on to the CCW wheels, and I plan to buy two different sets soon. After much research, these wheels offer the best bang for the buck and are of high quality. I was all set to pull the trigger on the HRE's, these are less than half the cost!
 
Somelee, I just spent 2 hours at the Mfg'er who makes Iforged as well at the wheels I purchased. I saw many finish combos, which one did you pick, which style?

After spending only three laps on the El Toro (low speed) course on rally weekend I was blown away with the understeer:frown. This is what got me off the fence to purchase 19 & 20's and go wider up front and wider for the rear to help out with the pulley upgrade:wink.
The reason I chose the Michelins is I understand they are both stickier and quiter than the Goodyears (hope this true). I enjoy the roar of the motor however the constant moan of the tires wears me out.
 
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Somelee, I just spent 2 hours at the Mfg'er who makes Iforged as well at the wheels I purchased. I saw many finish combos, which one did you pick, which style?

After spending only three laps on the El Toro (low speed) course on rally weekend I was blown away with the understeer:frown. This is what got me off the fence to purchase 19 & 20's and go wider up front and wider for the rear to help out with the pulley upgrade:wink.
The reason I chose the Michelins is I understand they are both stickier and quiter than the Goodyears (hope this true). I enjoy the roar of the motor however the constant moan of the tires wears me out.

Having run the Goodyears, Pirrelli P-Zero Rossos, and the Michelin Pilot Sports, I can confirm that you made the right choice with the Michelins. They grip consistently over time, versus others that can "fade" away.
 
I have a brand new set of standard OEM wheels that are still in the boxes for sale. $2200 plus shipping. PM me if interested.
 
What do you guys think? I have about 24hrs to change my mind.
 

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