magnesium wheels
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 63
From: new ulm mn
magnesium wheels
Does anybody know of any problems with the optional magnesium wheels? I've heard they are soft and easily marked. Also heard the wheels do not have any longevity, in other words they look like hell after alot of miles and warp. Any truth? Thinking of buying a set. Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
Re: magnesium wheels (loflite)
On certain colors, they look great. I have them on a DMGM and love them. However, they are a PITA. If you have a good painter available, this is no problem, since it is very easy to repair the paint. But if you don't want to put up with a painted wheel, forget it, since they will show abuse.
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 713
Likes: 4
From: Salt Lake City UT
Re: magnesium wheels (George Cooper)
No problems with mine so far. Bought a used set here on the forum about 6 months ago. Touched them up myself with a can color-matched paint before installing. Still look beautiful
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 927
Likes: 62
From: Lake Elmo, MN, USA MN
Re: magnesium wheels (UtahVince)
I have a set on a DBGM coupe. They look great but It was difficult to find someone to mount the tires. They did mark up the inside of the rim but I put the weights on the inside so they look great.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 1
From: kansas city MO
Re: magnesium wheels (cares)
Use masking tape around the rims when mounting the tire.
I have a set for sale complete w/ sensors & EMT which still have 6-7/32 left on them. Will not break it up for now.
You can also have them polished. Look awsome & easy to maintain. Just need to wipe them w/ metal polish every now & then when they start to look dull.
I have a set for sale complete w/ sensors & EMT which still have 6-7/32 left on them. Will not break it up for now.
You can also have them polished. Look awsome & easy to maintain. Just need to wipe them w/ metal polish every now & then when they start to look dull.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 3
From: Chandler AZ
Re: magnesium wheels (loflite)
Mag wheels are very strong... and light. Wouldn't worry about durability or longevity. As far as polishing goes... I have seen some look better than aluminum with the luster being much brighter. However, polishing of Mag wheels and leaving them unprotected (No clear - paint or powdercoat) will require constant attention to them. Unprotected magnesium and the oxygen in the air create Magnesium Oxide at an accelerated rate. If you are a detail nut and stay on top of them its no big deal... but drive in the elements for a month without touching them and all the sudden they look grey and dull. Mag is chore to keep up compared to aluminum or chrome, IMO :)
:cheers:
:cheers:
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 1
From: Defending the US Constitution in Northern CA
Re: magnesium wheels (billreid1@***.net)
Hey does anyone know what size they are?
Are they 17x8.5 & 18x9.5 or are they 17x9.5 & 18x10.5?
I'm interested in figuring out the best tire size for the lightest tire wheel package for road racing. :auto:
[Modified by C5stein, 9:11 PM 1/13/2003]
Are they 17x8.5 & 18x9.5 or are they 17x9.5 & 18x10.5?
I'm interested in figuring out the best tire size for the lightest tire wheel package for road racing. :auto:
[Modified by C5stein, 9:11 PM 1/13/2003]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,935
Likes: 26
From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
Virginia Events Coordinator
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
NCM Ambassador
Re: magnesium wheels (loflite)
:bs :bs :bs
Will of had mine 3 years in March, no issues. X-crossing, dragracing , High speed etc....wore the tread off the rears w/o rim problems.
They will chip because they are painted, so watch those tools around them.
I also have a spare set w/o issues :yesnod:
Keep them waxed like the body and all is good!
They sure look :cool: polished
[Modified by ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE, 6:57 AM 1/14/2003]
Will of had mine 3 years in March, no issues. X-crossing, dragracing , High speed etc....wore the tread off the rears w/o rim problems.
They will chip because they are painted, so watch those tools around them.
I also have a spare set w/o issues :yesnod:
Keep them waxed like the body and all is good!
They sure look :cool: polished
[Modified by ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE, 6:57 AM 1/14/2003]
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Re: magnesium wheels (C5stein)
Quote: "I'm interested in figuring out the best tire size for the lightest tire wheel package for road racing."
I share your thoughts and that is why I have removed about 250 pounds from my C4, although I just use my car on public roads. I can only comment on size and weight not on traction for road racing. To help get the weight loss I selected 17 X8.5 C5 magnesiums for all 4 corners. Weight 17 pounds each. Also allows rotation front to rear. I also selected Goodyear 275-40 GS-C's for 2 reasons: they are one of only 3 tires in the 275 width that are recommended for use on a 8.5 inch rim, and they only weigh 26.4 pounds each.
Many people on this forum like Kumo's and other tires for better traction and/or price. But these other tires do not fit 8.5 inch rims and most of them weigh around 30 pounds each. I have not found any other street tire that weighs 26.4 pounds, or one that is even close. (Loosing weight that rotates at axle speed is about 3 times as effective as loosing general sprung weight in terms of acceleration.)
I think my combination is the lightest for street driving with a 275 wide tire. There are racing tires that weigh around 23 to 24 pounds each in the 17 inch x 275 size, but they will not fit a 8.5 inch rim. You will probably have to use the 18 x 9.5 magnesium wheels (19 pounds each) and go up in weight and diameter if you want a 275 or wider 18" racing tire.
FrankLT4CE
:chevy
I share your thoughts and that is why I have removed about 250 pounds from my C4, although I just use my car on public roads. I can only comment on size and weight not on traction for road racing. To help get the weight loss I selected 17 X8.5 C5 magnesiums for all 4 corners. Weight 17 pounds each. Also allows rotation front to rear. I also selected Goodyear 275-40 GS-C's for 2 reasons: they are one of only 3 tires in the 275 width that are recommended for use on a 8.5 inch rim, and they only weigh 26.4 pounds each.
Many people on this forum like Kumo's and other tires for better traction and/or price. But these other tires do not fit 8.5 inch rims and most of them weigh around 30 pounds each. I have not found any other street tire that weighs 26.4 pounds, or one that is even close. (Loosing weight that rotates at axle speed is about 3 times as effective as loosing general sprung weight in terms of acceleration.)
I think my combination is the lightest for street driving with a 275 wide tire. There are racing tires that weigh around 23 to 24 pounds each in the 17 inch x 275 size, but they will not fit a 8.5 inch rim. You will probably have to use the 18 x 9.5 magnesium wheels (19 pounds each) and go up in weight and diameter if you want a 275 or wider 18" racing tire.
FrankLT4CE
:chevy
