PS Engineering's Replica Vintage American Racing Magnesium Torque Thrust Wheels

6t5, I love the look. What size tire are you running? Any lip rolling needed for the 15x8? What exactly is the back space?
Thanks.

 

Can I ask if you got the 2 piece wheels or the one piece castings? If you went with the one piece is Phil still charging about $400 per for them?

I'm not a huge fan of the 2 piece but you sure do see a lot of them at Willow Springs and also around town. I just don't like how polished the rim is on the 2 piece...its way to easy to tell its a 2 piece.

Just my 2 cents worth...

 

I've used the one piece on my Trans Am notchback but Phil recommended using the 2 piece for other applications because of the extra options associated with offset. He referred me to someone who had the 2 piece and individual said that the 2 piece wheels looked exactly like the one piece.
GT350DAVE

 

Re: Finally! My PS Engineering Wheel Trans Am 15x8 Wheels

They look fabulous!!!!

 

Hello 6t5,
I agree with you 100%. Phil is the only one who makes the correct looking Torque Thrust "D" (dog legged spoke) reminiscent of the 60's American Magnesium "trans am " wheel. Phil sent me a set of 5, 1 piece 15x8. interestingly though he sent mine with a 4 3/8" back spacing as he recommended. You mentioned your back spacing as 4.72 which is almost 4 3/4". My set was ordered with a polished lip and the air valve on the angle. (I'll edit this post/reply with a photo when I get home). On original magnesium wheels I've seen the valves in both positions, I opted for the angle due to being different than the current readily available re production wheels. I have a couple questions for you. #1 what did you paint you wheels with? I like the color, it's not black (semi or flat) oxidizing magnesium has a flat charcoalish-greenish tone to it. Your has a little gloss to it which is nice. I'm still looking for a finish I like well enough. By the way, Craig Connley at paradise has the American Magnesium foil decals to further period correct the wheels. I'll include it in my photos. #2 As for the 4.72 back spacing, obviously you have no issues with interference with suspension components correct? My only issues is the selection of 15" tires. I so happen to have a set of 4 225/60/15 Goodyear Eagle GT Gator backs and an unmounted 6.00/15 Goodyear Blue Streak for under the window. When those Eagle GT's eventually wear out, I'll search for a replacement. The 225's look a little skinny for the 8's, but the square shoulders clear the fenders (barely). I can't wait to finish my project. Let me know on the paint. Thanks, Earl

 

Hi

Just once again for my bad english:

You are running
235/60-15 Yokohama AVS (NLA). With Phil's wheels, which have a 4.72 backspacing on 8x15 on all four correct??
What is the address of this company? I need to talk to him.
I just looked at the pictures of your car and must say it is awesome!!!
What i like most is the look of the tyres ty look like blue strikes from
the shape. The difference is i can buy Yokohamas here in germany too
and would´nt have to order my tyres in the states just to get the look.
And the rims themselfes,....hey speechless!!!

Bye Jerry

 

Phil Schmidt of PS Engineering does fabulous work and he is a real genteman! I recently took delivery of a set of his 15 x 8 Trans Am Wheels
( just like those in the pics from 6t5 ) and they are awesome!

The sobering news: there is NO high performance tires ( read V or W rated )made in the vintage 15" size. Only the mentioned P225 x 60 -VR 15's that Goodyear and several other manufacturers make. This tire is too short in diameter and too narrowfor 15 x 8's.

You have basially two choices: You can use 600/650 -15 Goodyear Blue Streak race tires OR you can use Avon, 225 x 65 VR 15's that are steet legal.

Either way; it isn't cheap!!!
shlby66

 

Hi Jerry, PS Engineering Inc. has an ad posted in the Shelby American issue #74 on pg.72 I'll save you the hassel of finding that information:

Phil Schmidt
PS Engineering Inc.
3675 Skylark Dr, suite 102
Torrance CA 90505
310 534-4477

I ordered a set of 5, polished lip, with the valve on the angle instead of in between the spokes parallel. Another option Phil will do is powder coat them as he did on Roy's wheels. (see photos, that's what Roy told me). These wheels are not cheap! These are the 1 piece cast not the 2 piece. Lead time (read mfg time) can be lenghty 2 - 10 months. I was lucky I waited only 8 weeks for my set. Shlby66 is right, tire selection in 15" is extremely limited in high speed rated tires. My set of 225 Goodyear VR60 Eagles look a tad undersized, but will work for me. I have a 6.00-15 Goodyear Blue Streak with the G-7 tread in a R655 compound (harder compound) for under the rear window. When the VR's wear out I'll deal with finding a suitable replacement 15" tire. (pricing of rims I will not post, that's between you an Phil). good luck, Earl

 

Ok guys you brought me back on my feet.
I was just searching what a AVON tyre would cost and i found this one:

Avon ZZ3 225/60 R15 96 W ok it´s no 225/65 but i keep looking
maybe make a few phone calls but this one i found would cost:

Between 87$ and 130$ a pice. That would be great!!

I look for more.
Thanks for your help and the adress of this man. If i´m lucky
i allready have one who wants my TTDs. When they are gone
i´ll order the PS wheels.

Bye Jerry

 

ok me again,....

@shlby66
Are you sure the dimension 225/65-15 will look like the ons 6t5 has on his?
Does it have to be racing tyres because they are not easy to find your
right.
But i found out that Pirelle also has this in stock

225/65 R15 99W and it is safe till 170 mp/h price is 190$.

What do you think??

Bye Jerry

 

Jerry,

The Avon tire I am useing is the 225 x 65 R15 ( V rated ) CR6ZZ. It is 26.6"
in diameter; 9.13" in cross section and 7.91" in tread width.

Phil Schmidt of PS Engineering said that this is a "perfect fit" for the 15 x 8"
wheels. There are no clearance issues.

You will have to source them from a racing shop that sells Avon racing tires.
The CR6ZZ's are street legal. And they aren't cheap! You will have to decide for yourself as how you wish to address the tire issue if you should opt for 15 x 8" wheels.
shlby66

 

How much is one of those Avons i the states? And why aren´t you
driving with Hoosier or Good Year racing tyres? Are they not as good?
Why i ask is Good Year and Hoosier are typical american tyres what
they don´t sell here at the dealers. So if i order tyres in the states
you add 250$ for shipping and ontop of all 19% tax thats why i would
be happy to be able to take a tyre wich is sold here.
Even though i have to pay more for a perfect rim and be able to buy tyres
here it will become the cheaper deal for me.

The thing is that i want to have the car as perfect as possible.
An 225/60-15 on 7x15 TTD´s is not what i think is the best for me
tahts why i try to get those Avons and those PS rims.

But again,...whats the price for those Avons in the states?

Thanks Jerry

 

Jerry,

Are you sitting down? I hope so. The Avon CR6ZZ's retail here in the States
for $287 each. Plus shipping. They are not too far off the pricing of Goodyear
6.00/6.50 x 15 Blue Streaks and ARE street legal.

The reason I am not useing Hoosiers or Goodyears; is they do not make a size that is proper for the 15 x 8" wheel. ( read: not tall enough/ small diameter )

For your purposes; I would suspect that 225 x 60 VR 15's on a 15 x 7" wheel would work just fine. And be a lot less pricey.

It soon becomes a personal issue. I prefer to try to match the diameter or
heigth close to the size ( 27" ) of the original tires. And to find tread width that most nearly matches the rim width of the wheel I'm useing.

I like to run stock ride heigth and all four tires of the same size. I do not like to set ride heigth useing tires of different sizes, front to rear. With normal ride heigth and proper back spacing there should be no clearance issues.

You can check out the Avon tires in your part of the world; as they are made
in England. If you already have the 15 x 7" wheels; Avon probably has a proper size for them as well. Think things thru carefully to fit your needs.
shlby66