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Are the "replica" c6 z06/z51 wheels safe??

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Old 08-13-2013, 06:21 AM
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Japstar
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Default Are the "replica" c6 z06/z51 wheels safe??

I have the stock chrome 18/19's, but I also like the look of black wheels so I thought about picking up a set and maybe use one for fall/winter and the other for spring/summer..

On the auction site, the zr1 black multispoke replicas are $645 shipped.. to me that's a pretty good deal, but does anyone have any experience with these? I noticed that there are a lot of various types of replicas being mentioned here..

Are they going to crack the first time I go over a pothole on I-80? I make that drive once a month. Also I'm usually in the backroads on the weekends, all around the mountains we have here.

Last edited by Japstar; 08-13-2013 at 06:25 AM.
Old 08-13-2013, 06:37 AM
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MikeyTX
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My suggestion would be to use one of the forum vendors such as House of wheels. Bob has been on the forum for ages and has an excellent reputation. He always has some kind of special running in the for sale/wanted section of the C6 forum. Stay away from eBay.
Old 08-13-2013, 07:40 AM
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PUREVOL
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I got a set from http://www.floridaspeedshop.com nice selection & good prices. Haven't had any problems w em & I drive in NY.
Old 08-13-2013, 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by PUREVOL
I got a set from http://www.floridaspeedshop.com nice selection & good prices. Haven't had any problems w em & I drive in NY.
They have roads in NY ?........................... ...
Old 08-13-2013, 09:36 AM
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Top_Fuel
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Do a search on "replica wheels" in this forum. Most people have had good luck with them. HERE is a recent thread on the topic.

Please be sure to read the warnings about having the wheels checked on a balancer BEFORE you mount tires on them. Most of these wheels are fine, but bad ones do make it out of the factory and resellers don't do any quality control checking on them before they ship them to you.
Old 08-13-2013, 09:37 AM
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wayback
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Originally Posted by MikeyTX
My suggestion would be to use one of the forum vendors such as House of wheels. Bob has been on the forum for ages and has an excellent reputation. He always has some kind of special running in the for sale/wanted section of the C6 forum. Stay away from eBay.
I am on my second set from Bob, first were black split spoke in 07 then black spyders in 09. Both were fine but I scraped the split spokes and blamed my wife so I could get the spyders.
Old 08-13-2013, 09:42 AM
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Buy straight from oe wheels llc. Cheaper then buying the same wheels through a 3rd party
Old 08-13-2013, 09:46 AM
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Hahabye
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Originally Posted by MikeyTX
My suggestion would be to use one of the forum vendors such as House of wheels. Bob has been on the forum for ages and has an excellent reputation. He always has some kind of special running in the for sale/wanted section of the C6 forum. Stay away from eBay.
Old 08-13-2013, 09:49 AM
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boraxman
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I dont think I would be driving top speed on them/
Old 08-13-2013, 10:18 AM
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peter pan
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I had a set on my deceased C5 and they were certified at 190mph
Old 08-13-2013, 10:23 AM
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bahamabum
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I bought my Zr1 replicas from Bob at house of wheels, great deal, zero problems 2 years now
Old 08-13-2013, 10:26 AM
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We have seen replica wheels to be safe (i.e. not cracking and failing), but they are not light. If you had a replica and aftermarket wheel lined up together. You would notice that the replicas are twice the weight of the aftermarket wheels.

Remember that rotational mass is 4x as important as sprung mass and 2x as important as un-sprung mass.

I just ran in back and measured a "Made in china" replica c6 18x8 wheel. It came out to 31lbs
I also measured a formula 43 /fikse wheel that was 18x12 and that was 15lbs.

So the split between the two wheels 4 (four wheels on a car) equals out to an extra 64 lbs. So let’s go back to the importance of rotational mass. That 64lbs will act like you added 250lbs in your cockpit.

That rotational mass will make your brakes work much harder every time you press the brake pedal. Stopping distances will be increased.

Also if you like the loud pedal it will slow you down substantially. With a 3500 lbs car and 400hp you can expect an 11.915 1/4mile time. Up the rotational mass and you can expect a 12.1. Acceleration will be reduced

Added rotational mass also kills Mpg and cornering. So keep that in mind when selecting wheels.

Last edited by Johnny@MTI; 08-13-2013 at 10:28 AM.
Old 08-13-2013, 11:41 AM
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I fully agree about OE Wheels, but I also very much like the suggestion to stay w. a forum vendor. They have good reputations and take care of the customer, even AFTER the sale. As to the safety of replacement/aftermarket wheels, almost all the time you will be fine.

Whatever you do, know at least a few things in advance of buying: a) what is the stated policy on how to mount or not mount the wheels if there is a problem? (some require no tire mounted, just spin on balancer to see if there's a problem)? b) what is return policy? c) who pays for return, and re-sending? d) what is policy for total refund after X number of problems? etc. You get the drift..
Old 08-13-2013, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Johnny@MTI
We have seen replica wheels to be safe (i.e. not cracking and failing), but they are not light. If you had a replica and aftermarket wheel lined up together. You would notice that the replicas are twice the weight of the aftermarket wheels.

Remember that rotational mass is 4x as important as sprung mass and 2x as important as un-sprung mass.

I just ran in back and measured a "Made in china" replica c6 18x8 wheel. It came out to 31lbs
I also measured a formula 43 /fikse wheel that was 18x12 and that was 15lbs.

So the split between the two wheels 4 (four wheels on a car) equals out to an extra 64 lbs. So let’s go back to the importance of rotational mass. That 64lbs will act like you added 250lbs in your cockpit.

That rotational mass will make your brakes work much harder every time you press the brake pedal. Stopping distances will be increased.

Also if you like the loud pedal it will slow you down substantially. With a 3500 lbs car and 400hp you can expect an 11.915 1/4mile time. Up the rotational mass and you can expect a 12.1. Acceleration will be reduced

Added rotational mass also kills Mpg and cornering. So keep that in mind when selecting wheels.
Everyone throws out how replicas are so much heavier...

17x9.5 from OE Wheels




Right in line with OEM wheels. Sure might not be as light as expensive aftermarkets but if one wants the OEM look anyway whats the difference?
Old 08-13-2013, 12:33 PM
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JSB LS3
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My Z06Ms came from House of Wheels and i've been driving on them for years now with no problems.
Old 08-13-2013, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by wayback
I am on my second set from Bob, first were black split spoke in 07 then black spyders in 09. Both were fine but I scraped the split spokes and blamed my wife so I could get the spyders.
Mickey Can you provide some pics of the Black Spyders on your vette. I have the Dark Gray and am wondering how the Black Spyders or the ZR1 styles would look on the 10 Z06.

Ken
Old 08-13-2013, 02:33 PM
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msgg100
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Originally Posted by JSB LS3
My Z06Ms came from House of Wheels and i've been driving on them for years now with no problems.
Can you provide a pic? I'm wondering how it will look on the Gray Z. Thinking about either the Spyder or the ZR1 black wheels.

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Old 08-13-2013, 02:53 PM
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Gering
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Johnny@MTI: Thanks for the info!
Old 08-13-2013, 05:10 PM
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brooklync5
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I ran replica wheels on my c5 for years without issue just buy from a reputable vendor
Old 08-13-2013, 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by msgg100
Mickey Can you provide some pics of the Black Spyders on your vette. I have the Dark Gray and am wondering how the Black Spyders or the ZR1 styles would look on the 10 Z06.

Ken
I think you have me confused with wayback. He had the black wheels on his car.



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