Is there a 9" wheel that looks like PPV steel wheel?

Discussion on wheel & tire issues
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v8suprcapric
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Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:58 pm
Location: Seattle, WA

Is there a 9" wheel that looks like PPV steel wheel?

Post by v8suprcapric »

And fits the stock center cap? I'm wanting wider tires all around, and my head is swimming reading all these wheels and tires posts. I don't want the fancy wheels, just the stock PPV wheels but 1" wider. Must be something out there?
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1987 Landau (383 stroker, vortec heads, 700r4, posi rear, Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, Bassett 15x8, BFGoodrich 275/60, 9C1 speedo)
2011 9C3 (K&N CAI, Weldcraft widened 18x9 factory steelies, Bridgestone 285/35)
xcidmigs
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Re: Is there a 9" wheel that looks like PPV steel wheel?

Post by xcidmigs »

There isn't anything you can just buy no, why not just get them widened though? its not super expensive on steelies...
CrashTestDummy
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Re: Is there a 9" wheel that looks like PPV steel wheel?

Post by CrashTestDummy »

I think widening the factory steelies is the only option.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
Navy Lifer
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Re: Is there a 9" wheel that looks like PPV steel wheel?

Post by Navy Lifer »

Here's my take/suggestion: use the 2010+ Camaro 18" steel wheel as a starting point. They're more available, so they'll cost less. They should be plenty strong--the PPV wheels ARE heavy-duty and super heavy already (not that anyone may care). Looks aside, I don't know how the PPV wheels will look widened, but the Camaro wheels aren't bad (see 55 Chevy below).

The Camaro wheels are 7.5" wide, not sure of offset/backspace.

PPV wheels are 8" wide--the challenge becomes HOW they get widened--a new hoop? 18" isn't a common steel wheel, so I'm not sure how that happens. OE wheels in this size & width, except for the PPV, are alloy.

Remember this car? The wheels are widened Gen5 Camaro--can't find the info on widths, but clearly they're wider than the factory version.
http://www.superchevy.com/features/sucs ... 955-chevy/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There may be others, but here's the "go to" source for wheel widening (steel wheels, anyway)--they do not use new wheel parts, but move the center (offset changes) and split the rim to insert a ring for widening.
http://www.weldcraftwheels.com/what-we-do/widen/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have no idea of cost--"it's not super expensive" is a relative thing....but I'm sure it's not cheap.

lots of eBay listings for the Camaro wheel - many cheaper than this set of 4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-CAMARO-GM ... Ly&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-2011-2012- ... eV&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Spare wheel & tire:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-CHEVROLET-CA ... SwFnFWEpXV" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Compare used wheel price with new wheel cost:
Camaro: http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/chevrolet/ ... heel-steel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
PPV: http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/chevrolet/ ... heel-steel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I may even know of a new take-off set that I could probably get for much less, if interested--and if they're still available.
xcidmigs
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Re: Is there a 9" wheel that looks like PPV steel wheel?

Post by xcidmigs »

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ccrp-111 ... -widening/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

$180 for a 17" wheel to get another inch. I say use the PPV wheels so it matches... someone will have them used if you don't want to use the originals.
Navy Lifer
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Re: Is there a 9" wheel that looks like PPV steel wheel?

Post by Navy Lifer »

xc, I remember that article and had forgotten about it. I actually met with John McGann some years back when he was doing a 9C1 story and needed some help with the rear disc setup in use then.

That said....location, location, location.....where are competent shops located in relation to the customer(s) wanting the service? An area like Los Angeles would support that as would Detroit, but what about the rest of the country?

The cost per wheel in the article is $90 - yes, very reasonable. When you calculate shipping to/from the shop, that changes, and becomes less attractive. Not down-playing the whole idea, just bringing in some factors to consider.

The construction of the OE PPV wheel may or may not allow easy widening or moving of the center to change offset--since the suspension/wheel package is already a relatively high-offset design, going to 9" IS possible, but I'd like to see how it's done before I'd be comfortable with the finished product. If there was a way, I'd be happiest with a new (steel) rim of the size I was after, and just use the center from the PPV wheel. The good thing about the PPV center is that we know it will clear a Brembo caliper and 355mm rotor, if that ever comes into the mix of mods. Not certain the same can be said for the Camaro 18" steelie.

If the objective is to have more "lip" on the outside, adding an inch (25.4mm) outboard of the center will create some potential issues--wheel/tire extending beyond fender opening/contact between tire & wheel opening(s), suspension geometry weirdness, etc--depending on ride height & tire size.

Weight aside, for such a heavy car, I think the PPV wheel, whether stock width or widened, would be the best option to play--auto-X & track days. There's a reason NASCAR (still) requires steel wheels, and it's not just the cost difference.

Still, I say go for it--it'll be interesting to see how it turns out!
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eagle-co94
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Re: Is there a 9" wheel that looks like PPV steel wheel?

Post by eagle-co94 »

I'll probably be selling the wheels & tires off of my '11 PPV that only have 700 miles on them if you need a set to widen.
-James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Life without knowledge is death in disguise."
v8suprcapric
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Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:58 pm
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Re: Is there a 9" wheel that looks like PPV steel wheel?

Post by v8suprcapric »

Thanks guys, I'm still looking around the internets trying to figure out what to do. I was dissapointed thinking these are such basic wheels they must make them aftermarket in lots of sizes. Also the 120mm vs. what I'm normally used to, the 5x5, makes it so test fitting isn't so easy. I'm going to get the Eibach lowering springs and then try to figure out this wheel/tire situation.
Image
1987 Landau (383 stroker, vortec heads, 700r4, posi rear, Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, Bassett 15x8, BFGoodrich 275/60, 9C1 speedo)
2011 9C3 (K&N CAI, Weldcraft widened 18x9 factory steelies, Bridgestone 285/35)
CrashTestDummy
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Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: Is there a 9" wheel that looks like PPV steel wheel?

Post by CrashTestDummy »

I went looking around after seeing that ICON video posted up in the General discussion area, and while not steel, I did find these that look pretty close, and pretty close to the Camaro steel wheel noted above:

NOT the ones noted in the vid above, but these are close:

http://www.azproperformance.com/US-Mag- ... -U442.html

NOT cheap, but it looks like you might be able to get different diameters/widths/offsets/bolt patterns/finishes. Not sure where the center caps would come from. They don't seem to be listed there.

I may email the ICON shop and see what's up with the wheels they used on that Caprice, and see if anything's available. I'm betting the US Mag wheel noted above will be cheaper.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
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