Help me decide
 

So I need to swap out the wheels on my El Camino in order to drive it (the fronts rub on the fender wells) . I have roughly 1400 bucks in my Hot Rod savings fund . I want some Billet specialties which will pretty much eat my whole budget for the year . I can live with some Torq Thrust II's for roughly a grand which were my first choice until I realized everyone on earth was running them or I could just get some Vette wheels with spacers for around 500 bucks to roll on until I can afford something better .

Here's my ride and the wheel choices . Would you blow your whole budget for the year on wheels or get something to roll on while doing other projects ? I already have the tires sitting in my garage .

run the vette... that way you can drive it and do other things.

I agree if you just want to.get it on the road for the summer do the Vette wheels. You can always sell them later to go toward the ones you want. I had TT when I bought my car as you see in pic, but noticed 75% of cars I saw at shows also had them as you said. I had some rallies for awhile but that didnt do it either. Ended up with Billet Specialties Stilletos after a year of looking and going back to them every time. When you get to that point, by all means get what you want the first time or pay for them twice.

Never waste money just doing a "place holder". That isn't moving the project forward. If you're going to do that -- just continue to drive what's on it.



The reason you see TT II's on everyone's car is because everyone LIKES THEM. What's wrong with that theory? It's like around here with '69 Camaro's... We all like them. So what. Why buy a Nash if you like a Camaro just because everyone else has a Camaro.


There's nothing wrong with CLASSIC good looks....

No problem agreeing with you that many people like TT2s, and they are easily one of the best looking wheels in that price range. Everyone has their own taste, I am just striving to make mine a little different down the road, hopefully in a good way. The trick is to make changes that you are happy with long term or have some deep pockets. Lol

Don't buy anything twice! However, when it comes time to paint then order your new rims and tires. Always go with quality products. You will be happy in the long run.

This is always the balancing act.... Not everyone can run Forgelines... so sometimes you have to get something you can afford that is "similar" in looks etc.


All too often on here I see people spending oodles of money on stuff most of us know dang well will never get used as it's intended. Buying lightweight race wheels for a street car that will never be on a track --- kinda never made much sense to me.... Kinda reminds me of where I live in Bellevue --- watching these giant jacked up 4 wheel drive trucks with every off road attachment they can buy -- to park at the mall.... I understand the "look" --- just don't understand not actually using what it is you wasted the money on. But that's just me I guess.


Love your El Camino.... always have liked those (had a '69 396 SS back about 1972).... it was useless and I loved it. HAHAHAHAHA

That is why I like the Billet Specialties , they are a good balance between the Forgelines I like and how the car will actually be used . My plan if I purchase the Billet Specialties is to have the centers powdercoated a gunmetal gray . I also plan to upgrade the suspension and brakes over time . My biggest struggle right now is the budget as I have 1 Daughter in college and another who will be starting just about the time she finishes . I am able to squirrel away a couple hundred bucks a month so it will probably take me a year and a half to save up for my suspension and almost another year for the brakes let alone the LS swap , body work , paint , etc.

My second biggest struggle is my patience .... LOL

You nailed it right there buddy........"patience". If you only have a couple of hundred a month to spend hold off and stick with what you have. Brakes and suspension should be your number one priority. If your budget is that small stick with 15" wheels. you can pull 15" wheels off on that car easily. Also keep in mind tires are going to get more expensive the larger the diameter.

I have the tires sitting in the garage . The problem is that both the fronts that are currently on it are hitting on the outer lip of the wheel well which is cutting the heck out of them . I tried finding a set of narrower 15's , or something with more backspace , of the same design but American racing is really proud of them at around 250 bucks apiece .

Trust me , if I could just run what I already have without constantly tearing crap up we wouldn't be having this conversation :)