Wheels on my malibu (Poll)

[patmckinneyracing]

I'm looking into the possibility of getting some new wheels on my car. So far I have seen two styles that I like but am not sure. Here is a pic of my malibu and the wheels it has now:

Here are two other possibilites I have been looking at. I am really liking the look of the wheels on the gran torino but am also kinda partial to the simply look of the grand nationals wheels. So what do you guys think, new wheels or keep the ones I got and invest elsewhere on the car?

Yes I know there fast and furious cars :lol: Also can you guys help me ID the wheels on the Buick and Ford. Thanks.

 

[crash]

The wheels on the Buick look like Crager Soft 8s, not sure about on the Torino though. I think the Soft 8s would look badass on that car!

 

[DrRansom442]

soft 8s perhaps .... they are in-expensive .... but lose the chrome center-caps .... maybe a beat into the ground look but Malibus and torque-thrusts is classic

 

[83cutlassowner]

in my opinion the soft 8's would look best but i think they need to be a little bigger then the ones you have now. i think 17's or 18's would look great. weather or not they can be found that big is the next question

 

[patmckinneyracing]

I built the car to not only go in a straight line, but to handle better than a corvette (which it does). I had my old man drive it a couple times and he is amazed how tight I got the steering and the suspension. So if I go with a set of 17 or 18 rims, I can imagine the car would definately hug the road even better. Why are they called "soft 8's"?

So no one is liking the gran torino wheels? I think they are made by stinger but I cannot be for sure.

 

[jae]

The Buford definitely looks like Soft 8s, but Torino, I want to say are kind of a take on the split-fork 5-spoke (10 spoke). For some reason I want to say Budnik but I think I'm wrong. They look similar to wheels on the new 'Bu or Fusion - sorry.

I like the Soft 8s between the two.

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Here is a set of 17x8 on summitracing for a good price:

http://www.summitracing.com/search/Bran ... SKU&page=2

Will this type of wheel fit on my car? What would be the correct backspacing to use?

 

[pontiacgp]

I'd check to see how much those wheels weight since your interested in handling. A rim and tire is sprung weight and the less weight the better

 

[khan0165]

I'd check to see how much those wheels weight since your interested in handling. A rim and tire is sprung weight and the less weight the better

that's a good point you bring up... I have a set of Soft 8s, and they are bloody heavy!

If it's handling you're going for, it's best off to spend a bit more and get mag or alloy wheels. Steelies are just too heavy to maintain good handling.

But if it's looks you're going for, the Soft 8s are cheap, and they give the Malibu a nice mean look. Specially in 17"s.
Just do me a favour, and don't get tires with raised white lettering... it's just too redneck!

 

[patmckinneyracing]

I can't stand white letter tires. The only car getting white raised lettering is my 71' Roadrunner on it's BFG tires.

Now the pontiacgp brings that up, that might be why the camaro wheels have been giving me such good handling is because they are aluminum, not steel. Maybe it would be a good idea to stick with the camaro wheels. Once I get the car up and running again this summer, I am going to take it to some autocross and drag events during the next school year.