Reviving Ray Gram lights 57 optimize 18x8.5

[DrunKenG]

Ray Gram lights 57 optimize 18x8.5 ~48 off set.

The guy is asking $600 with some tires which I'm going to replace.
Are these repairable? If they are repairable which tires should be used to avoid rubbing - H&R springs
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz274/DrunKenG/gramlights1.jpg
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz274/DrunKenG/gramlights4.jpg
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz274/DrunKenG/gramlights2.jpg
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz274/DrunKenG/gramlights3.jpg

[Blue8g]

Just need a refinishing.

I don't see any cracks/bends/etc.

I'd say offer 500, pay 300 for a refinish. That'll leave you with nice wheels for a decent price.

EDIT: Upon actually looking at the pics, they're pretty rough. Unless I got for 400 or less, I wouldn't touch.

[Reelax]

for that wheel size, 225/40r18, but depending on how low you are dropped and/or if you correct rear camber, you may need to roll rear fenders.

[DrunKenG]

Just need a refinishing.

I don't see any cracks/bends/etc.

I'd say offer 500, pay 300 for a refinish. That'll leave you with nice wheels for a decent price.

EDIT: Upon actually looking at the pics, they're pretty rough. Unless I got for 400 or less, I wouldn't touch.

So it's fixable... would they rub with 235/40/18 tires.. Would i have to roll fenders on H&R springs?

[Reelax]

So it's fixable... would they rub with 235/40/18 tires.. Would i have to roll fenders on H&R springs?

235 too big especially if you don't roll rear fenders. are you going to camber correct for the springs? if not camber corrected, 8.5 +48 might rub on the inside.

[showtime]

is that a crack in pic 2 or is that just some of the coating that looks cracked?

[greddy]

those are a powdercoat away from being quite nice, run a 10mm spacer all around and it'll look great

[dknight3]

looks like a crack.

[E_Emerson88]

show the pictures to a wheel repair shop to be sure

[showtime]

i want them.

[polishmafia]

Not for $600... I'd offer $300 and get them refinished.

[greddy]

New these were almost 2grand, if they aren't bent I'd snap them up man.

[DrunKenG]

I'm really worried about the offset cause the guy doesn't know what the real off set is.... It may not fit at all...

[DrunKenG]

Is there a way to tell what the offset is on rims?

[Blue8g]

I assume the barrel stickers are long gone?

[greddy]

what are they on now? unless they're below 30 offset you'll be fine. If it's a super high offset just run some spacers. this is a pretty decent deal man, the finish is shitty but powdercoat and you're set.

[DrunKenG]

Well judging by the car it was previously on (Honda Civic 08 SI) and the all the possible Ray Gram lights 57 sizes found here http://www.neweraparts.com/Default.aspx?tabid=68&List=0&ProductID=456 , and size confirmation of 18x8.5 , the off set should be +43

[DrunKenG]

what are they on now? unless they're below 30 offset you'll be fine. If it's a super high offset just run some spacers. this is a pretty decent deal man, the finish is shitty but powdercoat and you're set.

Where can i get spacers, right size and how much?... would i need to install 4 of them?

[Blue8g]

18x8.5 +43, that with 225, shouldn't even need spacers, correct?

[greddy]

nope he'll be fine as long as he camber corrects.

[DrunKenG]

Would 235 hug more of the rims? The outer rim sticking out look is not what I'm looking for... is there a tire size that would hug the outer rim?

[showtime]

if you don't pick them up I will.

[greddy]

yes it will cover more wheel, for reference, here is a set of 245/40s on an 18x8.5 wheel
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r513/nialgivens/DSC_0204-2.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r513/nialgivens/DSC_0205-5.jpg
Those are NittoNT-05s, which run wider than most all season tires that the majority of galant owners use but narrower than other performance tires like Dunlop * specs, I'd stick with 225s or 235s for your application, ideally 225s.

[johnygezony]

Those are nice and meaty :)

[greddy]

just remember that my wheels are a +30 offset, you wheels will be 13-15mm more sunk in

[DrunKenG]

just remember that my wheels are a +30 offset, you wheels will be 13-15mm more sunk in

Is this with a spacer? If so what size?

[DrunKenG]

nope he'll be fine as long as he camber corrects.

Would i have to adjust my camber?. I don't remember doing that running 225/40/18x7.5

[Reelax]

Would i have to adjust my camber?. I don't remember doing that running 225/40/18x7.5

18.5" is 1/2" wider on both sides than 7.5" so for a given offset, you would have 1/2" less clearance on the inside and outside. correcting camber (going less negative) pushes the top of the wheel away from the suspension and inner well.

[RedGalant2k1]

Your refinishing cost will be at least $400. I wouldn't pay over $400 for those wheels. Those wheels were barely overly $1000 new.

[Blue8g]

Huh? I rarely see people pay more than 300 for refinishes, and those wheels were likely at least 1500 new.

[qnz]

It looks like a crack in pic 2.

Its going to cost atleast another $600-800 to refinish them to look like new. (NY prices)

[greddy]

You guys are getting ripped off in NYC then. Its 50 bucks a wheel here

[RedGalant2k1]

Huh? I rarely see people pay more than 300 for refinishes, and those wheels were likely at least 1500 new.


You guys are getting ripped off in NYC then. Its 50 bucks a wheel here

Different areas bring different prices. Having seen the quality of cheap refinishing jobs, anytime I see less than $100 per wheel, I cringe. Even then, with the Gram Lights they have a special finish, and like qnz said to get like new, $600 is pretty likely.

[Blue8g]

Hmm. I've seen some amazing jobs done in Chicago, for 300.

My Enkeis were done for that, in Chicago.

[greddy]

I would say this, the wheels look structurally fine from the pics. They are beat to shit finish wise which is why I would strip them and have them powdercoated the color of your choice. Now if they are structurally damaged than I'd do some massive lowballing. Those would look good in bronze.... hmmmm

[02galant]

So with all that curbage on the lips it can be made good again? I have a set of wheels with some lip damage and I thought that was no good but you guys are making me think I can have them redone and be good as new.

[Reelax]

i would show the pics to wheel repair shop and find out how much it would cost.

[DrunKenG]

wow.. i got the deal for 500... But when i got there, i got a text saying "NVM i have another guy paying $600 plus replacement rims"... I drove 30 minutes to pick them up only to find out i got out bidded?!.... i faced the kid and he says he was sorry....I took a look at the rims and the car... The car did look like it was in a recent accident... The kid wanted to sell the car.. or what's left of the parts... One rim did have a crack/bent, the rest were road rashed liked the pictures show...He says he picked them up from a friend who bought them in Japan... They do look rare to find...

[Blue8g]

They're not all that rare.

[RedGalant2k1]

wow.. i got the deal for 500... But when i got there, i got a text saying "NVM i have another guy paying $600 plus replacement rims"... I drove 30 minutes to pick them up only to find out i got out bidded?!.... i faced the kid and he says he was sorry....I took a look at the rims and the car... The car did look like it was in a recent accident... The kid wanted to sell the car.. or what's left of the parts... One rim did have a crack/bent, the rest were road rashed liked the pictures show...He says he picked them up from a friend who bought them in Japan... They do look rare to find...

They were sold on TireRack.com for years, as blue said, not all that rare. I'd say they are rather common, TireRack is a big outfit.