ranger9812

I know the '01 Alcoa forged Z06 wheels are a bit stronger than the '02-04 Speedline cast wheels, but I'm looking for anyone opinions/experience on whether it's enough of a difference to really worry about. Anyone here have first-hand knowledge on how much more abuse the Alcoa wheels can take and how much more they are actually worth, both in $'s and in time & trouble to find them?

Thanks.

CHJ In Virginia

IMHO there is not a whole lot of difference between the two. I have tracked my car with two sets of 03 Speedlines for over 7 years. I usually run between 10-12 events a year and thoroughly inspect the wheels after each event. No problems what so ever with the Speedlines. I don't have actual experience with Alcoas but know that the Speedlines will serve you well.

Stevo92z28

Really it's only looks and a very small weight difference. I feel 01 alcoas hold more value and aesthetically look nicer. I have had both kinds on the track you'd never know the difference. Also had heavy china knocks off on the road course as well which you'd never know.

ranger9812

Good turn-out from the Virginia crew, today. That's good feedback; much appreciated.

VNAMVET

My 2001 Z06 (purchased second hand w/ 600 miles on her) had both right hand wheels with flat spots on them. The first owner lived near Sebring, FL also.

The dash was autographed with a "JJ Lehto" signature, whoever that is.

I'm guessing a "track day" .............

Both wheels replaced under warranty.

JETninja

Seriously? You don't know who "JJ" is? Check out ALMS and 24Hr Lemans winners....drove for Audi, BMW and others and some F1 time as well.

Suggest you pick up some tickets for the 12 hours of Sebring (March 14-17) you see incredible racing among 4 classes at the same time, thousands of Sports Cars, and the Corvette Corral is the biggest of any brand at every track. Learn something about why Corvette is so different from any other GM brand...they listen to the factory race team and we get the results.

VNAMVET

I just pulled up some facts.

I am thinking that one of the "others" was mine.....

I only kept the car until GM came out (4 months later) with the 405HP variant and traded immediately.

BTW, JJ, at 44 years old, was, on December 14, 2011, "found guilty of drunk sailing and negligent homicide, and sentenced to prison for two years and four months".............what an end to a great career.

Won Sebring AND Le Mans in 2005.

JETninja

Wow...didn't keep it long at all! Pretty unique prior owner for sure, wonder where it is these days. Still recommend checking out Sebring..it will be televised as well. Sebring has huge history behind it, and its the start of the season. Huge field expected this year..

kerryt1

GM changed because the '02-'04 wheels were lighter, but still strong enough.

I do think the '01 wheels look a little better though.

Breze84

Alcoas are better imo, The weight difference between the 2 sets is like 1lb and personally I much rather have the stronger rim... Not to menchin the 01's look better for some odd reason idk

skeet

3 people said the 01 wheels look better. What is it about them that looks betters? I thought they were the exact same design?

Solofast

The spun cast wheels were cheaper. That's why GM changed...

Breze84

The color on the 01 Alcoas are a lighter gray

acrace

If you put the Alcoas and the Speedlines next to each other, the "sharper" radii of the spokes on the Alcoas become visible. If memory serves me correctly, although not a cosmetic item, on the backside near the hub/wheel center, one of them has some reinforcing ribs and the other doesn't.

I've got multiple sets of both, and I use them interchangeably for autocross use.

Breze84

You are correct, I forgot about that. The 01's do have sharper spokes.

skyavonee

Obviously forged is stronger than cast... but I'm having a hard time imagining situations that would cause the Speedlines to bend or crack, but not the Alcoas. If you're breaking wheels then you're doing something incredibly wrong. Any thoughts to the contrary??

skeet

It was my understanding that Chevy's supplier was not able to meet the demands that Chevy needed so they went to another supplier who used a different manufacturing process.
I could be wrong here but I thought the 2001 were made in Italy?

Stevo92z28

01s were darker then speedlines. Thinner/sharper looking spokes. A much better looking wheel all around but like said most people can't tell the difference.

skeet

It would be interesting if someone could post a photo of the difference in the two wheels.

Solofast

Yes, forged is stronger than cast, but the Speedline wheels are "spun cast". This process provides much better material properties than typical castings, since the mold is spun and the air and impurites float to the inside of the wheel and are machined away. Most of the strength comes from the heat treatment anyway, so the differences aren't as great as if the wheels were not heat treated (as cast properties)..