*Shown above: the GA3C Concave Series performance wheel from Forgeline.
Image courtesy of Forgeline
Our choice of Forgeline GA3C concave 3-piece wheels was not a simple one. We wrestled back and fourth about manufacturers, wheel types, styling, and also had many discussions with the A-body specialists at ABC Performance (who are currently working on the car) about various wheel specifications and how each would work in conjunction with our plans for the body and rear-end to ensure ideal fitment and spacing.
We first settled on Forgeline. While the cost of a performance aftermarket wheel set can be a tough pill to swallow, Forgeline’s reputation more than proceeds itself. Their combination of style, weight, customization options and quality make it a worthy investment. We can order them to exact specifications to accommodate our offset needs for the rear end and they will allow plenty of room for a larger brake setup.
Next was choosing the style and wheel construction. We opted for a 3 piece wheel, which helps us sleep a little more soundly knowing just in case of an accident or bent barrel, we can replace components at a reduced cost. Our original choice of style fell toward the traditional muscle-car-looking 5-spoke, such as the 3F3C Concave, but we eventually landed on something a little more modern in the GA3C. Forgeline will be coloring these wheels black with a blue pinstripe to match our logo and the car’s paint scheme.
Sizing
Our Chevelle will be running 18×11.0 inch wheels wrapped with 315s on the front and the rears will be running 18×12.0 inch wheels with 335s. The benefit of traction for acceleration, cornering and braking will be tangible at those sizes, but there is one major drawback, and that is tire options. As you start to surpass the 280 width mark, the choice of 200 treadwear tire options drops significantly, and there aren’t too many options to start with!
At the moment, our only road and autocross-legal tire option is the BF Goodrich G-Force Rival S 1.5’s. These have already gained a large following in autocross circles, and have a good reputation for performance. They are the only manufacturer offering a 200 treadwear tire in both 315/30R18 and a 335/30R18 sizes. While others like Falken and Toyo offer a 315 size, they either don’t have a complimentary 335 or their wider options are limited to sub-200 treadwear. We’re ultimately not disappointed with the restriction to the Rival S’s, but it would be nice to have 2-3 options to choose from in the future.
A Good Combination of Performance and Looks
Aluminum wheels offer a few advantages over their cheaper steel or generic counterparts. Weight savings reduce rotational mass and therefore save power through the drivetrain to the pavement. Shaving weight also offers some functional improvements to a quality suspension system, reducing the mass involved in shock compression and allowing the suspension to rebound faster. While these may be a relatively small differences, and not ones that you’ll likely be able to feel (although every little bit helps when competing for track times!), the last benefit is that Forgeline makes some darn good-looking products that will help finish out the Chevelle’s appearance as a serious street machine. After all, we want the car to look good, too!
Learn more about the build partners featured in this article below:
Forgeline Wheels
ABC Performance