Wheels On a budget
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: DFW TX
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 189
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From: DFW TX
I picked up a set of stock C5 size C6 ZR-1 silver & black rims shipped for ~$700 from forum vendor Corvettes of Houston.
Edit: just a note, the Jake skull was my own doing, they have a blank center cap normally. Also worth spending the few extra bucks to get the black wheel nuts.
Edit: just a note, the Jake skull was my own doing, they have a blank center cap normally. Also worth spending the few extra bucks to get the black wheel nuts.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: DFW TX
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Seems to me that it comes down to how much you like the wheels. Tho' I prefer bling, after much reading I learned how good mystock wheels are. I've seen refinished wheels of all types and the good professionals do a great job, and you cOuld change the color.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: DFW TX
Christee:
I hope your AC unit is still working well for you after I repaired it !
Stock Thin Spoke wheel weights are around 18lbs front, and 20 lbs rear.
Stock Z06 wheel weights are around 19lbs front, and 21lbs rear.
Its best to try to stay as light as stock. Stock wheels are VERY light, and its hard to beat them to be honest. Be careful with aftermarket cheap wheels. They are often made in China and HEAVY. 7 or so years ago I tried a cheap set of aftermarket wheels and after driving my car for 10 or so miles I felt sick to my stomach that I spent a lot of money to make my car slower. They also made my car feel a LOT less nimble on the road. I'm no race car driver, but I felt a HUGE reduction in overall performance. I sold those cheap crappy wheels the next week.
I would get your stock wheels repaired. Its going to be a LOT less money, and if your budget does not allow for light wheels then don't change from what you have.
Now with that said.... I do agree with getting the stock Z06 wheels. They are also very light, and will give you more grip with the wider tires. You should be able to pick up a set for $600 ish on the For Sale section.
Toque
I hope your AC unit is still working well for you after I repaired it !
Stock Thin Spoke wheel weights are around 18lbs front, and 20 lbs rear.
Stock Z06 wheel weights are around 19lbs front, and 21lbs rear.
Its best to try to stay as light as stock. Stock wheels are VERY light, and its hard to beat them to be honest. Be careful with aftermarket cheap wheels. They are often made in China and HEAVY. 7 or so years ago I tried a cheap set of aftermarket wheels and after driving my car for 10 or so miles I felt sick to my stomach that I spent a lot of money to make my car slower. They also made my car feel a LOT less nimble on the road. I'm no race car driver, but I felt a HUGE reduction in overall performance. I sold those cheap crappy wheels the next week.
I would get your stock wheels repaired. Its going to be a LOT less money, and if your budget does not allow for light wheels then don't change from what you have.
Now with that said.... I do agree with getting the stock Z06 wheels. They are also very light, and will give you more grip with the wider tires. You should be able to pick up a set for $600 ish on the For Sale section.
Toque
Pro
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Fresno California
10 lbs per wheel is enough to notice. Tire weight varies quite a bit too. Going to a larger diameter wheel and tire can easily add as much as 25 lbs. per wheel when you consider the tire too. Don't mean to complicate things for you but it is well worth considering.
I can tell you about my personal experience. A few years ago we had a 2008 V6 manual Mustang that had the stock 16" tires and wheels. We traded for a set of the factory 17" GT 5 spoke wheels. The 17" wheels and tires together were 16 pounds each heavier than the 16" tire and wheel. The difference in acceleration was quite noticeable and it lost close to 3 mpg. in city driving. It was enough that it took some of the fun out of driving the car. After a few months we sold them and went back to the 16".
I can tell you about my personal experience. A few years ago we had a 2008 V6 manual Mustang that had the stock 16" tires and wheels. We traded for a set of the factory 17" GT 5 spoke wheels. The 17" wheels and tires together were 16 pounds each heavier than the 16" tire and wheel. The difference in acceleration was quite noticeable and it lost close to 3 mpg. in city driving. It was enough that it took some of the fun out of driving the car. After a few months we sold them and went back to the 16".
Tech Contributor
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From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
10 lbs per wheel is enough to notice. Tire weight varies quite a bit too. Going to a larger diameter wheel and tire can easily add as much as 25 lbs. per wheel when you consider the tire too. Don't mean to complicate things for you but it is well worth considering.
I can tell you about my personal experience. A few years ago we had a 2008 V6 manual Mustang that had the stock 16" tires and wheels. We traded for a set of the factory 17" GT 5 spoke wheels. The 17" wheels and tires together were 16 pounds each heavier than the 16" tire and wheel. The difference in acceleration was quite noticeable and it lost close to 3 mpg. in city driving. It was enough that it took some of the fun out of driving the car. After a few months we sold them and went back to the 16".
I can tell you about my personal experience. A few years ago we had a 2008 V6 manual Mustang that had the stock 16" tires and wheels. We traded for a set of the factory 17" GT 5 spoke wheels. The 17" wheels and tires together were 16 pounds each heavier than the 16" tire and wheel. The difference in acceleration was quite noticeable and it lost close to 3 mpg. in city driving. It was enough that it took some of the fun out of driving the car. After a few months we sold them and went back to the 16".
Those are very HEAVY. Its not my choice of course but if I were you I would not get something that heavy. Its not hurting you to drive around on the stockers until you find something you really like. You don't want to spend your hard earned cash to reduce the fun factor driving your car. It will drag your car down adding that much weight. Been there..... done that...
As onlyavette said above. Be aware of Tire Weight as well. Look on Tire Rack as they normally list the tire weights for the given sizes.
What I would do is.... Keep an eye on the For Sale section for a good clean set of stock C5 wheels, or a good clean set of C5 Z06 wheels. Your not going to find a lighter wheel out there for under $1000. The C5 Z06 wheel will also be a nice upgrade on looks and performance (because they are wider).
Some For Sale links;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...and-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...06-wheels.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...and-tires.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: DFW TX
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 189
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From: DFW TX
Very true what your saying !
Christee:
Those are very HEAVY. Its not my choice of course but if I were you I would not get something that heavy. Its not hurting you to drive around on the stockers until you find something you really like. You don't want to spend your hard earned cash to reduce the fun factor driving your car. It will drag your car down adding that much weight. Been there..... done that...
As onlyavette said above. Be aware of Tire Weight as well. Look on Tire Rack as they normally list the tire weights for the given sizes.
What I would do is.... Keep an eye on the For Sale section for a good clean set of stock C5 wheels, or a good clean set of C5 Z06 wheels. Your not going to find a lighter wheel out there for under $1000. The C5 Z06 wheel will also be a nice upgrade on looks and performance (because they are wider).
Some For Sale links;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...and-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...06-wheels.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...and-tires.html
Christee:
Those are very HEAVY. Its not my choice of course but if I were you I would not get something that heavy. Its not hurting you to drive around on the stockers until you find something you really like. You don't want to spend your hard earned cash to reduce the fun factor driving your car. It will drag your car down adding that much weight. Been there..... done that...
As onlyavette said above. Be aware of Tire Weight as well. Look on Tire Rack as they normally list the tire weights for the given sizes.
What I would do is.... Keep an eye on the For Sale section for a good clean set of stock C5 wheels, or a good clean set of C5 Z06 wheels. Your not going to find a lighter wheel out there for under $1000. The C5 Z06 wheel will also be a nice upgrade on looks and performance (because they are wider).
Some For Sale links;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...and-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...06-wheels.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...and-tires.html
I'm leaning very strongly towards repair and powder coating at Wheel Repair Solutions in Carrollton.
I have Michellin Pilot's on the car now but am going with Hankook Ventus V12's. According to tire rack the Hankooks are a pound lighter.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
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From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
I definitely want function over fashion. I'm a pretty aggressive driver so I don't want anything dragging it down.
I'm leaning very strongly towards repair and powder coating at Wheel Repair Solutions in Carrollton.
I have Michellin Pilot's on the car now but am going with Hankook Ventus V12's. According to tire rack the Hankooks are a pound lighter.
I'm leaning very strongly towards repair and powder coating at Wheel Repair Solutions in Carrollton.
I have Michellin Pilot's on the car now but am going with Hankook Ventus V12's. According to tire rack the Hankooks are a pound lighter.
You will not be disappointed.
I hear good reviews on the Hankooks, but a few of my friends said that the sidewall's feel soft. Maybe its just them.... who knows. Just something to do your homework on to make sure you get the performance from your setup that you want.
Toque
Tech Contributor
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From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: DFW TX
