Oppo I've Made a (somewhat) Huge Mistake

"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
05/01/2018 at 15:30 • Filed to: trans amess, gta wheels, gta rims, firebird, trans am, trans am gta, gnx, buick gnx

See the lip on this wheel?

Its not as deep as THIS wheel:

See?

Versus:

Now, if you were me, and did ZERO Googling whatsoever and just went by common sense knowing these wheels came off the same car, and had different lip depths, you would think the REAR wheel would have the FATTER DEEPER lip, right?

Apparently, the FRONT wheels of a Trans Am GTA have a shallower offset, and therefor a fatter deeper lip, and therefore stick out a bit farther than the rear wheels.

I did not know this. In fact, in forums going back to the mid 2000's its been popular to put FRONT wheels on the backs of Firebirds to not only have a better look, but to also enable proper tire/wheel rotations.... though having a rear on the front more inset with a smaller lip may look ok, but I’m not sure it would clear the brake caliper... anyways, that’s probably WHY the offsets and whatnot are different, but I did not know any of this.

The offset/backspacing of the REAR wheel

Offset/backspacing of the FRONT wheel - less distance = sticks out farther on the car

When I first started searching for the black lace GTA/GNX wheels that I wanted, I saw that there were two different sized lips, and figured the rear would have the deeper of the two, naturally. So I started searching for rears only, and put all four rears on my car.

I mean it doesn’t look BAD, but it could look BETTER now that I know the FRONTS have a deeper lip and stick out farther.

And now that I have a full set of matching GTA wheels, and not just a wheel here, a wheel there like I have been buying off eBay (one doesn’t have dimples on the spokes, shhh don’t tell anyone) I can mix and match them as I see fit... but I really want another pair of fronts now so I have the most deepest of dishes, and the most pokiest of offsets on all four corners.

Back to eBay I guess...

DISCUSSION (20)

random001 > Takuro Spirit
05/01/2018 at 15:37

Your post, it has melted my brain...

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Takuro Spirit
05/01/2018 at 15:38

I like how narrow track widths look on a “fuselage” styled car because it accentuates the tumblehome. *shrug*

Also, it may be that they wanted to improve cornering from the Nova and putting on a wider front track was an easy way to do it. Didn’t used to be that odd to be narrower in back - my Galaxie has like 1 1/2" or 2" narrower track in back than in front.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Takuro Spirit
05/01/2018 at 15:42

Well...damn. Never in a million years would’ve guessed that.

vondon302 > Takuro Spirit
05/01/2018 at 15:47

Wait what?

I’d of never thought that

The Swedish Bandit > Takuro Spirit
05/01/2018 at 15:49

Kinja'd!!!

Just get a pair of these and be done with it already!

Nibbles > The Swedish Bandit
05/01/2018 at 15:56

Fuckin’ snowflakes

Future next gen S2000 owner > Takuro Spirit
05/01/2018 at 15:59

Saw the first question along with the curb rash, I immediately went to a different place.

Takuro Spirit > The Swedish Bandit
05/01/2018 at 16:04

$$$$$$$$ though having 17's would greatly increase my tire choices.

wafflesnfalafel > random001
05/01/2018 at 16:05

science!

Takuro Spirit > Future next gen S2000 owner
05/01/2018 at 16:06

Its wheel weight corrosion. There is ZERO curb rash or bends in these wheels, which is why I jumped on them. All the wheels I have on the car have defects of some sort that can’t be buffed out as easy.

The Swedish Bandit > Takuro Spirit
05/01/2018 at 16:11

How much time haven’t you already spent on finding these GTA wheels? 30 minutes?, One hour?, Twoooo hours?!

How much money isn’t that time worth?

And at the end of the day, when you finally have your full matching set you will still need to clean them up, paint them, get new tires mounted and balanced and so fourth and so on!

Takuro Spirit > The Swedish Bandit
05/01/2018 at 16:14

3 years. If I go full resto the plan is to get the refurbished to like-new.

If I go rat-rod I’ll run them as is, and have plenty of time to find two more fronts as I am still a long ways away from having the funds to purchase the drivetrain I want.

The Swedish Bandit > Takuro Spirit
05/01/2018 at 16:22

Well if you spent those 3 years working on the car instead of looking for wheels maybe you’d be done by now!

Joke aside, how far are you realistically from going full rat rod and just running it like it is now that it’s put together? I mean just find a cheapo 350 and trans, put it in and let ‘er rip as is!

Takuro Spirit > The Swedish Bandit
05/01/2018 at 16:25

Nah, I’m gonna do it right and how I envisioned it. Unless those dreams change in the however many years it’ll take.....

The Swedish Bandit > Takuro Spirit
05/01/2018 at 16:35

Always stay true to your dreams! Unless as you say, plans change...

Kinja'd!!!