New wheels are on
 

Some members have asked me to keep them updated on my car's "enhancements". I figured why not just make it a post. Gives people something to look at, and generally starts some enjoyable banter. :)

Just got my new 18x9.5" ZO6 wheels mounted this weekend. They are wearing 275/35ZR18 Goodyear F1 GS-D3 tires. This was quite a process because even though the Corvette uses the same hubs as the TA, the wheels use shank style lug nuts, instead of the conical ones the TA's wheels use. So I had to buy all new lug nuts, but only after spending a couple hours trying to figure out why the nuts would not seat correctly. I think (hope) everything is all ironed out now.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...w248/25893.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...w248/25892.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...w248/25900.jpg

The problem is now these wheels really accentuate the wheel gap. Didn't bother me before, but it does now. So now I really want the Hotchkis handling package. Springs would of course do the trick, but why not actually make the car handle better instead of just making it ride harder? Right? The list of "to do's" just never ends.

IMHO, the stock WS6 wheels are nicer looking, but i guess you want wider.

one question - what is the deal with the humongous gap where the top of the pop-up headlights meet the body on TA's? reminds me of a Tupperware lid that isn't closed all the way.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...hark/25896.jpg

Yes. I really like the stock wheels style also. In fact I actually liked them better than the ZO6 wheels when I bought them. I got the new wheels because of the width and offset, and the fact that i'm not a huge fan of chrome. But now that the wheels are on the car, I do like them better than the stockers.

The gap is there from the factory because the part of the light assembly that WOULD touch the bumper cover when closed actually overlaps the cover by about four inches. The lights themselves are set back into the whole assembly, if you can picture what i'm talking about. So then if they did close all the way, they would scratch the crap out of the bumper cover. Some WS6 owners have simply adjusted the drop cam to make them fall ALMOST onto the bumper cover, at least enough so that they look like they are completely closed. I like it better the stock way though.

i had chrome wheels before, and they are a pain with the constant upkeep (to prevent flaking and piiting). never again.



The gap is there from the factory because the part of the light assembly that WOULD touch the bumper cover when closed actually overlaps the cover by about four inches. The lights themselves are set back into the whole assembly, if you can picture what i'm talking about. So then if they did close all the way, they would scratch the crap out of the bumper cover. Some WS6 owners have simply adjusted the drop cam to make them fall ALMOST onto the bumper cover, at least enough so that they look like they are completely closed. I like it better the stock way though.[/QUOTE]

why wasn't it designed to sit flush in the first place? :confused: that's one of the things i never liked about them.

have you considered painting the silver nostril grille black - i think it would look meaner that way.

HAHA...it WAS black, I painted it silver because I thought it looked meaner. :D

"paint it black"
- Rolling Stones

That car just looks so........Plastic

The only Tran-Am worth owning was the "Bandit" ;)

GREAT looking Firebird, Shadow! The wheels are super. Did you need centric rings to center the new wheels on the hub?

Causes me to want my old 1969 Bird back - again. I never should have sold it!! :(

Harry

Great looking 'bird Shadow! HOT!!! :cool:

-Chike

Interestingly enough it is........Plastic ;)

These are Corvette ZO6 wheels...the hubs are the same, so the wheels' centerbore was the same as the regular WS6 wheels. The only problems were the offset...the Corvette is designed to fit 65mm offset wheels "flush", so the 58mm ZO6 wheels were designed to give a wider stance, however 58mm is still kinda high on the WS6. 50-53mm would look even better, and therefore I may pick up a small spacer for the rears. Haven't decided yet.

No kidding? sheesh :rolleyes:

However there are other plasitc cars out there that don't look well.....Plastic ;)

I don't know...just about everything looks plastic to me these days. Even the new trucks have a very plastic look. That's not really a bad thing in my mind. Makes me think "new".

Nice ride, Shadow :cool: We'll have to get together sometime so you can give me a ride in it. :D

Johnny

Anytime. Actually I haven't driven a 5-speed SVX yet, so we could just trade cars for a drive. :D

Plastic? Yeah, maybe. But it looks about a billion times better than the Camaro.

And it's scary fast. That always helps.

Cool car, man.