Magnesium Wheeld pros or cons
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,099
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From: PITTSBURGH PA
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Magnesium Wheeld pros or cons
We have a 99 convertible navy blue tan top with the stock wagon wheels and wanted to upgrade, was thinking about the Magnesium wheels, but wondering about pros or cons on these wheels, if anybody has any input i would appreciate it, I was also kicking around the Cray Manta wheels too!!!
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
I've got em and since their painted, chips are the primary concern, although I wreaked havoc on them when running very dusty hawk hp+ pads for an hpde....
Of course tire mounting and such needs extra care as well.....
Even though, I still love the look!!!
Of course tire mounting and such needs extra care as well.....
Even though, I still love the look!!!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,756
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From: Bedford Mass
I just put 4 on my '98 red coupe. They look amazing but my regular mechanic had all kinds of trouble getting them to balance. The front calipers are so close that the stick on weights wouldn't clear !!!
I'm going to a regular tire store next week to have them properly balanced without weights on the outside of the wheel...
Any other suggestions ?
I will post up pictures some time next week...
I'm going to a regular tire store next week to have them properly balanced without weights on the outside of the wheel...
Any other suggestions ?
I will post up pictures some time next week...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
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From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
I think the magnesiums are the best kept secret when it comes to C5s and wheels.
1. They're fairly inexpensive, used, $400-$800 for 4. Originally cost $3000.
2. They're as light a wheel as you'll find without spending thousands.
3. They're very easy to clean - no rivets and 5 spokes.
4. Go with 4 18s and you can get a bigger brake package.
5. You can powder coat them any color you want, which is much more durable than the original, chip-prone paint.
6. 18 inch wheels allow for a plethora of tire options, and still maintain a cushy sidewall for a comfortable ride.
7. They can be balanced with tape weights on the inside.
1. They're fairly inexpensive, used, $400-$800 for 4. Originally cost $3000.
2. They're as light a wheel as you'll find without spending thousands.
3. They're very easy to clean - no rivets and 5 spokes.
4. Go with 4 18s and you can get a bigger brake package.
5. You can powder coat them any color you want, which is much more durable than the original, chip-prone paint.
6. 18 inch wheels allow for a plethora of tire options, and still maintain a cushy sidewall for a comfortable ride.
7. They can be balanced with tape weights on the inside.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,915
Likes: 10
From: Jesuit Bend Louisiana
I have the Mags as well on my 2004 Arctic White Vette. I think it is C5 Vetteguy (last post) that has the green vette with the powder coated Mags - THAT LOOKS AWESOME!
There are some inner rim gaskets that must be replaced, they are not that expensive.
These rims are a nice change from the Bling Chrome that the majority is running now. I also like it that it is an OEM rim - keeping the car "Stock".
There are some inner rim gaskets that must be replaced, they are not that expensive.
These rims are a nice change from the Bling Chrome that the majority is running now. I also like it that it is an OEM rim - keeping the car "Stock".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 234
From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
I had my mags powder coated a lighter-than-stock color as I wanted more of a contrast between them and my paint. Although I had a color picked out to exactly match the Light Oak leather seats, I still went a shade lighter than that, again, for better contrast. You can see that the center caps are the original magnesium color, which also goes along with the two-tone Oak interior. I also painted (after powder coating) the inner rim and barrel satin black to make those parts "disappear". You'll notice that the thickness of the rims appear thinner than your typical magnesium, which also gives the illusion of a larger wheel.
As far as color selection goes when powder coating, you can pick from a book of chips and/or have the coater mix a custom color for you, just like paint. Mine are a champagne color with metallic and clear coated. As long as you stay away from curbs, these will not chip through normal usage. Personally, I'd like to see these wheels in white on a red, blue and even yellow C5. There's no reason to have to stick with usual silver, polished, chrome or black wheels. The possibilities are endless.
As far as color selection goes when powder coating, you can pick from a book of chips and/or have the coater mix a custom color for you, just like paint. Mine are a champagne color with metallic and clear coated. As long as you stay away from curbs, these will not chip through normal usage. Personally, I'd like to see these wheels in white on a red, blue and even yellow C5. There's no reason to have to stick with usual silver, polished, chrome or black wheels. The possibilities are endless.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
^^^^
Thanks guy, yeah, I tried that matching, I had my exhaust tips powdered to match the wheels, but it could be better...close, but can still tell its not the same from certain angles.
I just really like the oem color......even got a spray can from paint scratch and painted my screen set to match....
Thanks guy, yeah, I tried that matching, I had my exhaust tips powdered to match the wheels, but it could be better...close, but can still tell its not the same from certain angles.
I just really like the oem color......even got a spray can from paint scratch and painted my screen set to match....
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From: Fremont CA
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They chip if you sneeze on them. Definitely need to powder coat them unless your car is a garage queen and you have an incredibly careful and skilled tire guy.
Also, I have to agree with Mark - When I had them, they had to get creative with the balancing because the weights would strike the caliper if mounted inside the barrel.
Also, I have to agree with Mark - When I had them, they had to get creative with the balancing because the weights would strike the caliper if mounted inside the barrel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Columbia SC
Remember if these are true magnesium alloy rims, when you paint on the bare metal you have to use a zinc chromate primer. I have a Pantera which uses magnesium rims. I restored them some 20 years ago and have never had an issue, chip, or problems. It is amazing how much lighter these are than aluminum rims.
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From: Fremont CA
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If you are looking at them for weight savings, they are not any lighter than the polished thinspokes that came on the 01-04 Vettes.
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From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
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Because the OEM Mags are made by SPEEDLINE, I have been drag racing, road racing and just plain driven the hell out of them since 2000 w/o a worry 
Only con...........limited OEM size
Only con...........limited OEM size
