tomclf

I am looking at the ROH Drift R rims but they only come in 9" width for our cars in the 18" rims. (I called group A and this what they told me at least) If I went with a 245/40/18 up front would there be enough clearance for this to work? I have read that 8" is the widest up front with an 18" rim but if the overal total measurements are similar to what I am running now with stock rims with 245/60/16 tires would there really be a problem? On the tire size calculator - the measurements are virtually the same except for sidewall height.

Any info would be great. Also a 3" lip would be cool.

Here is the link:
http://www.groupawheels.com/driftr.html

Hopefully the wheel will show as well.

By the way - Group A told me that the backspacing on both the drift r 9" width and the snyper 9" width is 5". I thought a 9" rim needed to be 5.5" for backspacing? Is this true for all of the snyper owners? A 5" backspacing?

tomclf

Any help?

18inchboyds

ill try and help , a lot of people get 9.5 inch rims and they have 5.5 bs . I ve seen a few here with snypers, the best bet is to search but i think you will be fine. If your worried about rubbing just get a 245 or 255 for the front and get a 275 for the rear .

f50nut

i'm running 9.5 up front with slight rubbing when the wheel is at full lock. they're 17's, but should make little difference b/t 18's because i am running 275/40R17's and a 5.5 bs. 9" front width should be fine, just make sure you have enough backspace.

dtcustoms

I have 18x9.5s and they do not rub, we even stuck some 275s up front during the mock up and they barly rubbed

Black89

Try a search on Karl Hunter's posts - he used to run 18x10.5's all around with no mods or rubbing (very custom offsets), although I believe he's running 11's today with some fender tweaking. I know his source for 10.5's had done it for others, too.

I suspect that you would not opt for more than 10 if you're not competing on a course. If you think the IROC swiggles in the ruts with stock 8's & 50 series, 10s or better will REALLY announce themselves . . . . .

f50nut

yeah that's my only complaint with the wide wheels

tomclf

Thanks for all of the comments, this really helps. I am leaning towards the drift rims because of the 18" size and the three inch lip. Deep lip looks great on these cars.

The drift wheel looks more euro which I am hoping will go with the the euro design of the GTA.

I am thinking of using drag radials as there is a eigth mile track about an hour away from me. I am thinking of the nittos or the BF goodrich. THe car gets hardly any street driving - maybe a few thousand miles per year so the short road life is not that big of a deal.

An suggestions?

f50nut

well if it's definitely 18" you want then you gotta go with the drift...not sure how they'd look on a gta but definitely not bad. see if someone can photoshop it for you.

CrazyHawaiian

Yeah its possible but any rubbing or whatnot will depend on how low the car is. I know guys have run 275/40/17 fronts with drop springs, so get a 18" tire with the same overall dimensions and you can use them as a referance (do a search). Those rims look great, show us some pics soon as you get em. I wish they came in 17x9, I would have been interested.

TexasLT1

Yup, I am. I've got 17x9.5 Anteras with 275/40/17's on all 4 corners. I'm running a 1" spacer up front because the wheels don't have the correct offset. Right now I get a little bit of rubbing at full lock, but I think if I went another inch out I would be fine.


*Oh yeah, and I've got a Hotchkis sportline spring kit

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

Well if the slow boat from Australia ever gets here you will be able to see first hand how the Comp Black Drift Rs look on a Maroon 91 GTA. I ordered them back in February. I would check stock before you order. They gave me an estimate of May 15th. I grilled Group A for weeks before I bought my wheels. I too was worried about the size. When I finally agreed to give the wheels a try he found out that there were none in the warehouse and had already charged my card. I have 2000 dollars wrapped up in thin air right now. It is a little frustrating. I also cannot put my C5 retrofit brakes on until I receive the wheels because they will not fit under the stock GTA rims.

tomclf

Thanks for the help. Regarding the group A situation, when I got the quote - they told me that the wheels were in stock and I could get them in 5-7 days. If they will refund your money, JD wheels said they had them too and could ship them out. I hope this works out for you.I am glad to hear about this as I am making my decision.

By the way, what are the chances of going with the 18x10" for the rears with a bigger tire - like 295 or 315? I will do a search but if anyone knows - a quick comment would be great. I just saw another make of car that had 10.5 width on the rears with 335 tires - it looked very sick!

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

i have 17x9.5's on all corners.. with 275x40's on all 4 as well.. i am also on sportlines

the only time i rub is if i go full full turn.. but its not bad..

camaro05

iTrader: (1)

I had someone do a chop of the Drift Rs on my Z once. I will try and find it for ya.

camaro05

iTrader: (1)

deleet

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

I think you will find when you start looking for tires that there are a limited selection of performance 18 inch tires. I am going with the sumitomo's in a 295. I have done some fit ups with other rims and various 18 inch tires. My car rides on the hypercoils from Vette Brake Products. I would say 2 inches or so in the back and 1 in in the front. I think 295 and a 265 will allow full movement of the wheels without having to roll the fenders.

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

As for being in stock, I guess we will have to wait and see. I ordered the black Drift R's and was told they were in stock, Group A was extremely helpful and patient, but after my credit card was charged there was the mysterious mix up at the warehouse and my rims were no longer in stock. I think I will get them eventually, I will just have to practice the zen art of extreme car guy patience. I keep telling myself it would take just as long to have some cut.

tomclf

Thanks for the info - this makes me wonder about group A - two stories that are the same about rims not being available and yet getting charged for them.

JD wheels also has these for about the same amout of money and they claim to have these wheels as well.

If is going to take months it might be worth it to get custom Boyds made.

I am still trying to figure out what to go with.

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

Well here are the wheels. I finally received them and I must say I am highly pleased. I think I will need to lower my car even more. As of right now they fit great and my car handles excellent! Talk to Jeff at Group A. He is a stand up guy. Tell em Dave with 91 GTA sent you.

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

more pics

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

Last pic, They only allow three around here