Log in

View Full Version : gm rims question

madness410
10-02-2010, 04:08 PM
im saving my money and looking to buy a nice set of chrome z06 rims and tires for my camaro in the spring. i see people always asking if they are gm or replicas.

my question is are there any major difference between gm rims and replica rims or is it just because people want to have official gm products on their car? also if i bought replicas would people notice?
redsoxsstink
10-02-2010, 04:28 PM
structurally i dont think there is a difference. its comes down to weight and finish. gm products are generally lighter and the finishes last longer
91chevywt
10-02-2010, 05:37 PM
It's for the same reason aftermarket stock replacement parts from autozone or pep boys are cheaper than GM parts from the dealership.
sweetbmxrider
10-02-2010, 05:54 PM
replicas are heavier and tend to take more weight to balance. not a huge deal if you are just going for looks. i believe oem wheels have a raised JW cast into them.
madness410
10-02-2010, 06:08 PM
yeah its for my daily driver but i want some nice rims for the warmer parts of the year. what are jw?
Tru2Chevy
10-02-2010, 06:21 PM
i believe oem wheels have a raised JW cast into them.

what are jw?

It's just to mark that the wheel has passed safety standards for Japan.

http://www.cartype.com/pages/2101/jwl_stamp_on_alloy_wheels

- Justin
sweetbmxrider
10-02-2010, 06:28 PM
there you go! always wondered what it meant
MyFirstZ
10-02-2010, 11:44 PM
yeah i would go with replica's, a hell of alot cheaper, and as for weight added to make it balance it wont matter as long as it balances.
BigAls87Z28
10-02-2010, 11:55 PM
OE wheels are built to a higher standard then aftermarket.
MyFirstZ
10-03-2010, 12:44 AM
out of the hundreds of thousands of replicas out there i dont think you have anything to worry about, your not going to be pushing this car to the limits.

what do you mean they are built to a higher standard though ? material ?
sweetbmxrider
10-03-2010, 09:32 AM
how i mentioned the JWL logo. replicas aren't built to those standards so they don't have that logo. i'm not saying don't run replicas, just clarifying the difference between them and oem wheels.
madness410
10-03-2010, 10:11 AM
oh ok i see.

well i havent been to enough car shows to actually know this but do people frown upon people who get replicas as opposed to oem rims
JL8Jeff
10-03-2010, 10:24 AM
oh ok i see.

well i havent been to enough car shows to actually know this but do people frown upon people who get replicas as opposed to oem rims

Who cares about people frowning on replicas. If you're going for a specific wheel for it's size or look, you shop around for what meets your needs. People overreact to everything so take all the arguments for and against the wheels and balance them out. If you are planning to really push the car hard and autocross or drag race it on a regular basis, then you probably want to look at the weight difference and quality/safety issues. But for a daily driver, most brands of wheels out there will work fine.
sweetbmxrider
10-03-2010, 12:37 PM
yeah and honestly, i doubt most anyone can look at a wheel on a car and tell the difference. if it looks good then all is good 8-)
WildBillyT
10-03-2010, 12:43 PM
out of the hundreds of thousands of replicas out there i dont think you have anything to worry about, your not going to be pushing this car to the limits.

what do you mean they are built to a higher standard though ? material ?

OE wheels are built to a higher standard then aftermarket.

Yes. Closer tolerance, better material control, etc etc.

If you think about it from the weight aspect- if the wheels are the same size/dimensions, same finish, and same materials, then they should probably weigh the same. I would guess that they are made of a different aluminum alloy.