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Topic: Wheels and Tires

in Forum: C4 Car Care

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Wheels and Tires (1/10)
1/21/13 5:09am

CaledoniaBrian
Former Member
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1988 Convertable

Joined: 11/3/2011
Posts: 150

I knew before the spring I was going to have to replace the tires on my 88. In addition my wheels were looking rather poor and showing their 25 years of experience. So no better time to do them while I shopped for some tires.

So the car went on stands and the wheels were sent out to Wheel Wizards here in southern Ontario. I had heard quite a few good things about them in the past. Wheel Wizards took a very light cut across the wheels using their CNC machine. Then the wheels are sanded and polished to what you see in the photos. The tires I went with are the BFG KDW 275 40 17. I have read good reviews on these tires, but I guess it will be a few weeks yet before I can really try them out.

Before picture:

After picture:

And my new KDW's

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Re: Wheels and Tires (2/10)
1/21/13 8:05am

redvette89
Standard Member
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Huron, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1989 Red Convertible - 160,000 fun-filled miles -

Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 179

I'll bet you love the new feel too! Those rims (I have the same 88/89 style) really get bent out of shape over the years and the new rubber makes all the difference

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Re: Wheels and Tires (3/10)
1/21/13 10:19am

pski88
Former Member
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Buffalo, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1988 coupe all original 21,000 miles

Joined: 6/25/2010
Posts: 125

what was the cost for the wheels to get re-surfaced?

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....Jeff

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Re: Wheels and Tires (4/10)
1/21/13 2:10pm

jonneyone
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galion, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1984 base coupe 17,000 miles all original. very low production number.red on red 3853. pro num.

Joined: 5/31/2012
Posts: 413

nice, what kind of tires are those. did they clear coat the rims? look great

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Re: Wheels and Tires (5/10)
1/21/13 4:35pm

CaledoniaBrian
Former Member
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1988 Convertable

Joined: 11/3/2011
Posts: 150

In answer to questions:

The tires are BF Goodrich KDW 275 40 R17:

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.ca/tire-selector/vehicle/1988/Chevrolet/Corvette/(17+Inch+Option)/PS/BNW/g-force-t-a-kdw/tire-details

The cost of refinishing them was $150 a piece.

No they are not clear coated. Polished to a good shine. It will be up to me to keep them polished. The company that did them supplied me with some polish and wheel wax. I will use this but am always looking for a better product. Time will tell the story.

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Re: Wheels and Tires (6/10)
1/21/13 4:47pm

396c4
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Joined: 12/7/2011
Posts: 219

That looks better! I've spoken to http://www.wheelcollision.com/ who are always at Carlisle and they do the same thing, ie machine the face to clean them up as long as the lip doesn't get too thin, I think that's a good way to save the wheel.

It will be interesting to see how many rocks that tread picks up. I know my "Pilot Sports" love to pick up little rocks and throw them at the rockers. (had to have them refinished this fall). Of course "Sticky Mickey's", have no tread depth for rocks to jamb into, are half the price and bite twice as good. I've come to realize expensive tires can be a waste. Given the annual mileage, they are more likely to age harden before the mileage wears them out. I have a durometer which tells me new tires have a reading about 70 to 80 (Mickey's around 45). I bet your old tires were way up there. Michelin's get higher mileage because they are harder and I always found mine don't work until they have been beat on. Have yet to find a set of "Pilot Cups" to check although Ron Fellows says they are the closest to a track tire. I know guys who run Nittos and like them too. At least yours will have lots of room for the Q-tips!! Wink

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Re: Wheels and Tires (7/10)
1/21/13 9:00pm

Big Mike 49
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San Jose, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1988 Corvette / Blue Pearl

Joined: 5/10/2012
Posts: 81

Nice aggressive tread design.... & Those wheels look great Thumbs Up

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My Corvette Pic

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Re: Wheels and Tires (8/10)
1/22/13 3:50am

eddie20890
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lanoka harbor, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto 1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto

Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363

rims look great. mine have the clear coat wearing thin. up close you can see it. will be looking to do the same to mine.

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the dynamic duo

c3vr life member #97

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Re: Wheels and Tires (9/10)
1/22/13 10:51am

Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.

Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2245

Dang...how many trees did it take to make them thar tars? LOL

Neat tread pattern, fer sher. Do they make any noise? Looks like they would howl pretty good.
Rims look nice, too! Thumbs Up

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Joel Adams
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(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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Re: Wheels and Tires (10/10)
1/22/13 11:28am

jimmymack
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West Chester, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1995 Torch Red Coupe

Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 702

Wheels came out looking good, great investment.

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