Do wheels make or break a car?

I'm in yet another dilemma with my SEMA Project. First the hood, now the wheels...

My budget took a bit of a hit this weekend when I took my 71 Chevelle back to the paint shop for an overhaul and new paint job (it needed it, BAD.)

Unfortunately, the part of my budget that took the hit was my wheel budget.

I just wanted to get people's opinions on whether I should somehow find a way to still get the wheels that I truly want, despite the financial situation or if I should just settle for a cheaper (but still somewhat nice) set.

The car is going to SEMA, so in my opinion, I should probably try like hell to get the best wheels I can...

Also, the nicer set of wheels is roughly $1000 more expensive.

Also, I'm torn between 19's and 20's. I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on that too.

Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks!

Kris Horton

Well, I'd say get the wheels you Really want. Stick with 19" IMO, 20" are to Bling Bling for a Mustang. Show us the wheels you are looking at getting!

Dave...

19's are the way to go IMO....I had Foose 20's initially and sent them back for the 19's after driving the 20's for one day!
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/763164

hireman, nice ride. I like the flaming pony up front. Can you let me know where you got it? I'd like one on my ride!
Dave...

Cars are the artistic medium of our era.

If you compromise your artistic vision in a high profile venue like SEMA there will always be the lingering doubt about getting your message across. Nobody assembles a modified car unless they want to make a statement, and to compromise on a critical element like wheels will cloud your message.

Art is about eliciting an emotional response in the viewer; the depth of that response is the strength of the work itself. I would go for the gusto.

You're confusing art with bling.

20's

20's are a must. I think this car was made for 20's. The bling factor IMO is determined upon the style of wheel. A tough looking set will not carry a bling factor like a pimp set on a truck or ute. Get the set you wanted in 20's and the wells will fill perfect as well. The 20's on mine ride like a dream with the proxes 4's. Be a presence , not a statement.
Own the show
And please, send some da*n pics!!!!

Hireman, I agree with Satin, where did you get that flaming pony?

20's are the way to go. As far as looks, they just cant be beat. Keep in mind it strongly depends on the style of rim. If you go with a rim that has alot of chrome surface area, then it could get too blingy. I wasnt a big fan of 20's until I saw mine before I bought it. I've seen some fully chrome rims that were too blinged out and some that were perfect.

With the Eibach Pro kit, the ride quality hasnt suffered. I do have to watch out for the big potholes however.....saving '1 whole inch' in diameter wont save you from that.

Can you post some pics of the style your pondering? Or would you have to hunt us all down and kill each and everyone of us?

My problem with 20's is that I can't find the right size tires for them. Shouldn't I be trying to stay with the same overall height as the stock tires (27")?

I would like at LEAST 255's in front and 295's out back, which I haven't been able to line up for a set of 20's yet.

Kris

Okay, I've decided on 19's. They're fat lipped wheels, so will look bigger than one with a stepped rim.

Now...which finish? I'm leaning towards gunmetal or silver. I have a buddy putting the same wheels on his Camaro in a polished finish, so I won't be doing that and I don't want chrome wheels.

Here are the wheels:

http://www.forgeline.com/wheels/sp3p.html

Kris Horton

I would not worry too much about keeping the same overall height. Go with your vision or you will always be second guessing the finished product.

As for sizes.... You can fit 275 x 40 x 20's up front and up to 295 x 35 x 20's in the rear. You can always adjust the speedo with a handheld tuner.

As far as the size goes....I run 255/35/20 up front and 285/30/20 in the rear. I did some research back when I first bought the car and my overall diameter is pretty much the same in the rear. I didnt check the front. I think I'm off maybe 2 mph @ 75...

Thats a nice style rim your going with.

Try to get a wheel company to sponsor your car...
Free or discounted wheels=Free Advertising.
Did that with alot of things for SEMA vehicles.

My personal Pref would be the gunmetal.

Kris,

Yes, wheels make or break a car. I would go with 20's since that seems to be the standard for a SEMA show car. Below are a few of my favorites. Sponsorship is always the way to go.

A couple more.

I've built a SEMA car before, and yes, sponsors are the nectar of life.

I don't want 20's on my car anymore. After SEMA it will be driven quite a bit too, so I don't want to always worry about bending a wheel in the crappy roads here.

Kris

What brand are those? I want something that has a nice fat lip in the rear.

Are you guys with 20's running the eibach pro kit as well, if so any rubbing issues?

Yep, and no rubbing issues at all.

I like it when you guys get 20's, it makes the race even.