I have a 94 Corvette with Sawbalde wheels. I want to upgrade to the 5 spoke A-molds. I also want to use 17x8.5 in the front and 17x9.5 in the rear. This is what came on the 1996 CE Vette. I have found 2 vendors that supply these wheels in silver finish (when I say 2 vendors I mean 2 that sell 9.5's and 8.5's). The vendors are Corvette Mike and CWS Corvette Wheel Specialist. Has anyone dealt with either of these vendors. Also these wheels are made in USA not from Taiwan etc. I have been told the foreign made wheels are of poorer quality and are heavier. Is this true? Does anyone know of another vendor that would sell this wheel?





[Modified by Dave-T, 3:16 PM 4/17/2003]

 

I know the five spoke wheels, but what is "A mold".
Thanks!

 

5 spokes and A-mold are the same thing.

 

A-Molds are GM 5 spoke ZR1 or the CE wheels...they are lighter than the aftermarket wheels. Of course the A-molds are more expensive than aftermarket :)

Lots of guys buy AFS wheels....I have read good and bad things on here about them....MOST of them good.

 

AFS does not sell 17x8.5. 17x8.5 is the OE size for the 96 CE.

 

The base suspension '96 CE's had 17 x 9.5 rears and 17 x 8.5 front....

Z51 suspension option '96 CE's had 17 x 9.5's all around.
http://w1.601.telia.com/~u60113743/corvette_wheels/

 

Someone had a set of (2) 8.5 and (2) 9.5" A-molds for sale in the C4 parts for sale forum recently. You might want to check there.

 

I can't speak to the quality of Mike's or CWS's wheels, but I can address the differences between the stock wheels and the AFS. I have a '96 CE with the Z51 option. I needed a spare set of legal wheels to go racing with, and decided on a set of AFS because of the size of the company, the fact that they were one of the first to sell the A-molds, and price compared to the stock wheels. I ordered a set, mounted up a set of V700s, and took it for a short spin. Came back, parked it. A few hours later, I had a flat tire. I thought (with disgust) that I had cut one of the new V700s. (They are soft) It turns out that the wheel had a pin-hole leak in the rim itself, a casting flaw. To the credit of AFS, they were VERY good about replacing the wheel, with the only cost to me the dismount/remount. The center caps that come with the AFS are no where near as nice as GM's, and the color of the wheels was ever so slightly off. (They are supposed to match the Sebring Silver body color on the CE) I have noticed that the color difference has increased in the last few years, but for what I have been using them for it really doesn't matter.
I have one question for you - I assume that your 255 front tires have quite a bit of tread on them, since it would be easy to upgrade to the 9.5"/275 fronts that are easier to procure. Is this correct? If not, switching to the 9.5" fronts may be of interest to you. The only two disadvantages of the wider fronts is increased pulling in road ruts, and a very slight difference in tire price.

Hope this helps. If I can answer anything else, just let me know.
Ted
96 CE LT4 Z51

 

I will also be buying 4 new tires. I wanted to stay with the 255's because I was told that the car handled better and tracked better with the smaller tires.

 

Although my car came with the 9.5"/275 fronts, I have driven cars with the 8.5"/255's. Tracking is slightly improved. Handling (in terms of traction at the front of the car for turning and braking) is not. Ride quality may be slightly better, although I couldn't tell. It is very telling that all of the mid-late C4 performance suspension options, such as the Z07, Z51, etc, have the 9.5" front wheels. If the added front traction at the slight expense of tracking is important to you, I would recommend the 9.5's. They also have one other important benefit - the wheels and tires can be rotated front to back. (Side to side, also, if the tires aren't directional)
Thanks,
Ted
96 CE LT4 Z51

 

Dave-T, I have a set of 96 Special Edition A-Molds with tires already mounted and balanced for sale!!! They are original GM, 8.5 Fronts and 9.5 Rears, just what your looking for. They are all in great shape. Here is the linc I posted... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=525352
E-mail me or IM with any questions. I can provide more pics if you want.
stevepen@cable.comcast.com
:cheers:

 

I bought my chrome wheels from Mike at CWS. Great guy to work with, knows his Corvettes and stands behind his product.

I have no hesitation in recommending him.

I know this doesn't matter to you but the Chrome on my wheels is guaranteed for 3 years, not the 1 you get with AFS.

 

Dave, Corvette Central has them for $295 each 8.5 & 9.5, but I don't know who makes them.

 

I changed my '94 to 9-1/2 wheels and 275/40 Bridgestone Potenzas on all four corners. Handling improved appreciably/noticeably. Couldn't tell any difference in tracking. A plus in having the wheels/tires the same size ... you can rotate.