Are the AFS wheels GM rims, b/c I heard that only the GM rims had hollow spokes. I was told that the clone ZR-1 rims had solid spokes and were heavier, is this true?

 

AFS ZR-1 wheels are copies, not original GM wheels. Supposedly they are slightly heavier.

Tom Melton
82 CE
86 Z51 Coupe

 

I doubt very much the factory ZR-1 rims have hollow spokes. They were actually cast in a foundry in Japan and that would be extremely expensive to cast and probably not strong enough. The AFS wheels are recessed about 1/2 of an inch on the backside of each spoke. They are "nice" wheels and rate about a 7 as compared to an HRE or a Fikse as a 10. Corvette Mike has the A-mold wheels which come with an optional 5 year chrome package that I'd rate an 8. After seeing the A-molds at Performance Wheel Outlet, I wouldn't put them on my car. The AFS are a super good value when combined with the tire / wheel package. I would have preferred BFG KD's, but if you research the Dunlop 8000 on the Tire Racks comparison the Dunlop's rate only 1 point lower on the dry pavement and kill the G-force on wet traction. If you want to go light spend $3,000 and go for Fikse's. The only problem I have with the "high-end" wheels is that when you have a new set of tires installed. I don't care how many times you tell the yoyo donig the mountingto be careful, the rims will get scratched, gouged and marred up. That's why I decided to go for value and get the AFS brand. Another option is to go with Complete Custom Wheels mesh design. Probably the strongest wheel out there and the outer rim haves can be replaced anytime.

Best of luck, BlackRocket.

 

I didn't mean hollow, per say. I meant they have a recess in the rear of the spoke as you mentioned. The reason that I ask is, that I heard that the factory GM rims were the only ones that had this, and the clone rims were just solid(not having the recess).


[Modified by BAdAzZV8, 4:58 PM 2/9/2002]

 

Here is a pic, the quality of the pic isn't very good. this is pre digi cam time. I had to scan it.


Yes, they do have the recess in the back. No, they are not GM. The company actually makes them to fit your year corvette. That is how I got them to fit without spacers. I absolutly love them. They aren't very heavy though. They weight is about the same as my factory wheels.

 

I see that you did quite a bit of research on these wheels and tires. Can you give me an idea on a fair price for the wheels and tires separate or is it beter to buy the package.
I would also like to know the best place to buy them. Can you also recomend what width rim to use on a '96.

Thank you.

Mike


[Modified by MikeN, 7:40 AM 2/10/2002]

 

You will save money on a package deal, but you get what you pay for. The rims I got from AFS would have been $1100 by themselves, and teh Dunlops would have been around $800, plus mounting and balancing would be around $80, I paid $1648 for the package, but I don't like the tires. I'm doing some burnouts so I can speed up my tire wear and get some real tires on them :D

 

Sorry this is off the thread topic. But I just had to say, MikeN that sig ROCKS!

:cheers:

 

I got the rims off Ebay and paid 1200 for the rims and tires.

 

AFS rims are good :yesnod: :D I would love to have the money to buy Fikse wheels... some are VERY nice. ARE makes high end wheels that look very sharp too.

 

Where did you get them from?

Any response is appreciated.

MikeN

 

Where did you get your Fiske's and how much?

Thanks,

MikeN

 

Good wheel. I got mine for a little over a grand with free delivery :D

 

AFS sells their rims on eBay too! I had 4 A-molds (9.5) and decided I wanted some 11" rears. I found to rears, from AFS, on eBay and picked them up for $550 SHIPPED. I'm very happy with the wider rims and think they look great on my Vette. :D I would recommend AFS as a solid alternative to the GM A-molds.

 

I bought my black ZR-1 AFS wheelset directly from AFS. In fact, I live less than 10 miles from them and I just drove down there and had them mount the wheels right on the spot. I was given a choice between Dunlop and Kumho Z-rated tires for about the same price. I chose Kumhos. In fact, their manager told me he liked the Kumhos better. I am not disappointed at all with the handling of the Kumho tires.

 

I've got 9.5" wide wheels at all 4 corners. I've been told that if you buy custom made wheels with the correct offset you can use 10" wide wheels. 11" on the rear (Grand Sport offset) looks good on the rear. :D

 

www.afswheels.com

 

I like my AFS wheels. The customer service is first rate. But they are about 5 pounds heavier than the factory wheel.

 

AFS 17x11's fit all 4 corners of my '96. Slight rubbing on the rear inner fender fixed by spacing the bump stop 3/16".
The wheels are a good value. ~22lbs wheel, ~55 lbs with Kuhmho 315-35-17's. check out the tire forum

 

You may want to check VooDoo Performance. Rxpert2 and I got ours from there and the cost was better than AFS at the time and I got BFGoodrichs, not the Dunlaps