I'm trying to decide here on getting some wheels. I know I won't have the money for real 3pc or racing quality wheels. That's fine as I don't really do much racing. I hit the drag track about a couple times a year and that's it. I'd like to try some road track stuff down the road but I think if I do any serious track stuff I'm going to look for OEM Z wheels to get a lighter rim at a good quality. So for the other 363 days a year that I won't be at the track with my DD vette which wheel do you like better?

Which would you choose?

1. Cray Manta:
17x9F and 18x10.5R $1100 shipped.
18x9F and 19x10.5R $1250 shipped.


or

2. Ruff Racing 281:
18x8.5F and 19x9.5R $800 shipped.



I like the Ruff look because it looks like there's more going on with the slight bow to the inside of the rim. The Cray's just look a bit more flat then that. But the Cray's are wider which I was originally thinking of getting the Ruff's widened which would cost me just as much or more then just buying the Crays already at a good width. They don't offer the Ruff's any wider then the size mentioned. Also the Ruff have the look of sticking out just a little bit. Barely noticeable. But I don't know what the Crays look like.

So if anyone has any suggestions or opinions let me here them. Anything to look out for with either brand wheel? Other then not being a real light weight racing rim neither seems to be terrible on quality or retail service.

Thanks,
Shawn

 

Just replying to my own thread here. I found this thread in which some useful info is mentioned.

These comments were made in-regards to the Scorpion model.

"Just bought a set for my C6, and they are absolutely beautiful. The chrome finish is flawless"

"Thanks...they're amazing wheels for the price. I did weigh them. The 18" was 24 lbs., and the 19" was 25.5 pounds.....barely heavier than my iForged wheels."

Looks like I'm leaning towards these wheels. I thought they were just some cheapo wheels but they look like they are actually decent.

 

You might want to check out my posts on the ruff wheels and the calculatons of how far they actually come off the hub in this thread:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ht=ruff+wheels

 

You do state though that you are getting them shaved down a bit. What does having them shaved down do for it? I'm just confused because some look like the stick out and some don't. I think it might be because many also look like they can be lowered a bit and the amount of space gives you a view of more of the tire, looking like the tire is sticking out. Hmmm still have to decide here on which rim. Both look good. I think the Ruff's rear lip is a bit bigger and I like that look. Maybe I'll continue to look into if I can get them widened locally and see what the cost will be.
Thanks.

 

Some look like they stick out more than others because of what you mentioned about the car being lowered. That makes the car look totally different. If you shave the wheels 3mm all around it just makes the wheel fit better in the fenders. I have the Cray Scorpions in hypersilver at a crazy blow out price..

Let me know if you are interested in either or.

Thanks again,
www.vqmotoring.com
(877)-877-9420

 

Thanks Rickie (VQMotoring.com),

It looks like I'll be calling you in a week or so to order some 18/19 281's in black, shaved 3mm from you. I just talked to my shop about getting them sent there and they are cool with it.
Talk to you soon,
Shawn

 

The cray are nice, I have the scorpian wheels, but those Ruff wheels just look better when being compaired. And they cost less to. I just wonder if they are good quality.

 

I just bought some Cray Manta Chromes from Todd at East Coast Corvettes. They fit fine, ride nice and look sharp, I think:





However... I also bought new tire pressure monitors from FredBeans ($89 each instead of $156 at the dealer) and when the new tires were being mounted it was discovered that the O-rings on the new TPMs (for 97-00) are too small and won't seal properly (air escapes) on the Mantas. Ryan at TSW (manufacturer of the wheels) said the Mantas were designed for the later-model C5's with the smaller TPMs.

Todd sent me a cross-country e-mail (Florida to California) suggesting I go to a parts store and buy chrome valve stems with the larger O-rings and use them on the new TPMs. But after visits to AutoZone, Kragen and two tire shops, nobody has ever seen these, nor do they know where I can get them. So, it's a problem. I'm trying to get Todd to just send me the proper O-rings. America's Tire (where I bought the tires) said they'll gladly install them. So we'll see...

If you're 2001 or later, you shouldn't have a problem with this. But just a heads-up if you're 97-00.

Good luck!

 

Thanks. They do look sharp on your car. Mine is a 99 so that's some interesting info on the sensors. I'm going to go with the Ruff's since they can do the work to make them look good (shaving 3mm) and should fit the sensors just fine. Thanks for the info on that. I also have to call up one of the vendors and get those sensors. One is currently bad and I just don't think swapping the 9 year old sensors is a good idea when they usually last 10 years max. That's a great price from Beans.



-Shawn

 

What size wheels are these? I just bought 17/18

 

These are 9.0x18 fronts/10.5x19 rear. I haven't lowered it. Kinda like the way it sits right now and it's nice to not scrape the driveway so much.

 

Yeah, that's a good call. I'm still working at getting the rear sensors mounted. America's Tire (here in Calif. — they're Discount Tire elsewhere, I guess) has been great. I called them and said I was trying to get the sensors and they said, "Yeah, just come on down and we'll put 'em in for you."

I also got an e-mail from Todd at East Coast Corvettes. I know he's trying, but his suggestion that I go down to West Coast Corvettes and pay them another $120.00 to install, mount and balance made me laugh. This should have been taken care of with the purchase of the wheels. Just my opinion. It's not a big deal — until it's your deal. That's why I'm sharing my experience. Love the wheels, love the tires, love the ride, hate the hassle of this little detail that could have been taken care of up front...

 

They look good..... But that means mine are going to look tiny

 

Someone had to go first. ;-) Thanks for all the info. I'm sure in the end you will still feel like it was worth it because it looks so good.



Just lower the car half way on stock bolts and see how that looks.

 

I like the Ruff's because it has a more "Depth" look to them. I have a few pics in my gallery if you want to see that exact rim on the vette.

 

thanks I'll try that... I'm sure 1" drop would do the trick.... How much do guys recommend?

 

Love your car. What size Ruff's did you get? I'm getting the 18/19.



I did the full drop on stock bolts on mine. That's about 1 inch. I love the look and I'm sure it will help with the Ruff's so I'm leaving it. I do scrape a bit here and there but that's what my front skid wheels are for. If you don't do much steep driveway or garage entrance driving or large speed-bumps then go for it all the way. Otherwise start with half way and go from there. I don't know how lowering on stock bolts works though, whether or not the immediate effect is the final effect. I don't think it needs time to settle like shocks do but someone else might be able to chime in on that.

 

19/20's on
BFGoodrich G-Force T/A KDW 245/35/19
BFGoodrich G-Force T/A KDW 285/30/2

Give a nice stance and don't stick out of the fenders that much in the back.

 

Well I finally got them on here they are these are 17/18

the car looks lower than it did with when I had my ruffs... these are 18/19

Im already scratching going up my steep driveway so I dont lowering will be happening any time soon

 

any one has any deals on the Ruff Wheels 281s