[72blackbird]

Yeah the 1-piece cast bandits are made in China, but so are the Year One 17" wheels, and plenty of T/A, Firebird, and GTO buyers have bought them. If you want US-made forged Bandits be prepared to pay and wait for them, around $2400/set.

[77 TRASHCAN]

I like the US mag's, not so much the year one's.

I like the 15X9 width option. I think that might be a great wheel for a 2nd gen firebird, with the proper offset. 15X10 is too wide, and 15X8 is a hair too narrow, for getting the most tire under one of those cars...

[72blackbird]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

I like the US mag's, not so much the year one's.

I like the 15X9 width option. I think that might be a great wheel for a 2nd gen firebird, with the proper offset. 15X10 is too wide, and 15X8 is a hair too narrow, for getting the most tire under one of those cars...

I only see a 15 x 9 offered in the Standard and Indy 1-piece cast wheel.

Geno

[Young Pontiac Guy]

67 GTO 4 speed: How did you fit the center caps on the bandit wheels? What all was required?

[63gpman]

Not sure who is selling these, but they come with caps.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310728468446...ht_3040wt_1238

http://stores.ebay.com/Restore-a-Mus...p2047675.l2563

[HJones1313]

Originally Posted by 63gpman

Not sure who is selling these, but they come with caps.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310728468446...ht_3040wt_1238

http://stores.ebay.com/Restore-a-Mus...p2047675.l2563

My cars a Cardinal red '70 with a black top...couldn't get a much better idea of what it would look like with those rims on it.

[Captainofiron]

Originally Posted by HJones1313

My cars a Cardinal red '70 with a black top...couldn't get a much better idea of what it would look like with those rims on it.

seeing them on another make/model of Pontiac is enough of a motivation for me to want to buy them, cant imagine if the car they were on were exactly like mine would do, haha

[70455HOVert]

Looks like these will be my new wheels.

I was going to go with the 17" YO, but these are less expensive, lighter, and more importantly available in 18" sizes.

Can anyone help with checking my fitment idea? 18x8 all the way around with a 255/45/17 mounted up for a 27" stock size tire. I'm sure the 18s would clear 13" brakes, but would the 17s? Have we confirmed the 18s will clear 14" brakes?

[Captainofiron]

Originally Posted by 70455HOVert

Looks like these will be my new wheels.

I was going to go with the 17" YO, but these are less expensive, lighter, and more importantly available in 18" sizes.

Can anyone help with checking my fitment idea? 18x8 all the way around with a 255/45/17 mounted up for a 27" stock size tire. I'm sure the 18s would clear 13" brakes, but would the 17s? Have we confirmed the 18s will clear 14" brakes?

depends on the car and which brakes you are using

[HWYSTR455]

Need a brake template for the brakes you are going to use. Then you need someone who has a set that you can have them hold the template to. Or a distributor who is willing to do the template. Or buy one wheel and try to send it back if it doesn't fit.

I contacted YO, and they did say they would do the template for me. As soon as they got some wheels in stock...I found out though that they will not work with the hybrid setup I have.

.

[70455HOVert]

Yeah, I figured as much, though I'm guessing the 18" wheel should have zero issues with 13" brakes, which upon further reflection, is the largest I would go. I was looking at a C5 13" setup as sold by CPP.

[Captainofiron]

Originally Posted by 70455HOVert

Yeah, I figured as much, though I'm guessing the 18" wheel should have zero issues with 13" brakes, which upon further reflection, is the largest I would go. I was looking at a C5 13" setup as sold by CPP.

Kore3 has templates for the C5 13" setup if I remember correctly

YEP, here you go
325mm C5 Front setup
http://www.kore3.com/downloads/fitme...es/DOC0004.pdf

[70455HOVert]

Thanks,

CPP Just told me that a 17" wheel was required and that the caliper has 1/2" of overhang. By the looks of the template, it's .78".

Is the overhang the reason why the Year One Rally IIs won't clear 13" brakes?

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by 70455HOVert

Thanks,

CPP Just told me that a 17" wheel was required and that the caliper has 1/2" of overhang. By the looks of the template, it's .78".

Is the overhang the reason why the Year One Rally IIs won't clear 13" brakes?

That would be why, yes, the overhang of the caliper.

Have to be sure which kit you are talking about, there are differences, kind of depends on the spindle. And it looks like those are the hybrid type, with the C5 spindle.

I've seen a couple different templates, but .78 is the largest overhang I've seen, so would be safe. All the templates state to use 'actual parts' for exact fitment, fyi. So there's still a chance there will be issues even if the template clears.

.

[72blackbird]

I've had the 18 x 9 Bandits on my 72 Bird for about a month now- finally got a replacement TH-350 in the car a few weeks ago so I could actually start driving it too. After putting a few hundred miles on the new combo I noticed right away how much difference the new rubber makes- the 275/40R18 NT 555's are so much stickier than any 15" rubber I had on the car. Even with the 20+ year-old suspension (600 lb. H-O Racing front springs and 1 3/8" front sway bar, WS6 rear leafs, 3/4" rear bar, horrible Monroe Formula GP shocks) the car sticks where the back end would have come out or the front end would have been plowing. Even the braking is better than it was before- the car stops much better with no skidding or loss of control.

The cornering and grip are definitely at the next level- what needs to be addressed now is the ride quality. Brian Romero's 77 Esprit has the same 18 x 9 Bandits and BFG 275/40R18 Sport C2's, but has the full Hotchkis TVS suspension package and rides as smooth and soft as the stock suspension. It's a bit too soft for the track, or a city filled with harsh dips and potholes, but if your roads are good that package works well. I'm thinking I'm going to try Global west's 800 lb. springs with their tubular a-arms, and see if I can keep the same ride height I have now.



Geno

[HWYSTR455]

I don't understand why folks stay with 14s and 15s, just blows me away. I understand originality and all, but some things need upgrading if you plan to drive it. At least 17s, especially with the selection and cost factor.

Someone needs to contact the vendor and see if they can provide dimensions....

.

[HWYSTR455]

Size/offset by wheel listed on the MHT Wheel site:

Part Number Size P.C.D. Back Space ET Bore Load / lbs
U10817806145 17x8.0 5x4.75 4.50" 1 72.6 1600

U10817906152 17x9.0 5x4.75 5.25 8 72.6 1600

U10818806145 18x8.0 5x4.75 4.50" 1 72.6 1600

U10818906152 18x9.0 5x4.75 5.25 8 72.6 1600


I will shoot them an email and see if I get a reply....


.

[1966Lemans]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I don't understand why folks stay with 14s and 15s, just blows me away. I understand originality and all, but some things need upgrading if you plan to drive it. At least 17s, especially with the selection and cost factor.
.

No 17" or 18" tires available with white letters.

[Captainofiron]

Originally Posted by 1966Lemans

No 17" or 18" tires available with white letters.

my dad got a tire crayon and made white letters on the 16s he put on his truck... HAHAHA

[70455HOVert]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I don't understand why folks stay with 14s and 15s, just blows me away. I understand originality and all, but some things need upgrading if you plan to drive it. At least 17s, especially with the selection and cost factor.

Someone needs to contact the vendor and see if they can provide dimensions....

.

I called these guys yesterday. Very nice guy and he asked that I email him the KORE3 template so he could size a wheel. I told him that the forum was waiting on the results...lol

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CPP-US-Mags-...040547&vxp=mtr

This is also the cheapest I've found for a set of 17x8s...$654 with lugs and caps and free shipping.