O.E.Wheels vs AFS?

Both of these companies market 17 x 11 rims on Ebay. Are there any differences between them? I know the AFS rims seem to be strong enough for road track use. How about the O.E. distributor's rims? O.E. Wheels is out of Florida and AFS is from California. On their web site AFS says the rims are made "for " them so they are not the manufacturer. Have finally decided to bite the bullet and get them but from which one?

Beware, AFS's ebay wheels are different than their "by order" wheels. I bought a set of wheels from them two years ago. They are perfect GS replicas (except for the offset that I wanted). The wheels are awesome.

I won a set from them on ebay this summer. They are Korean made, and stamped max load 1400lbs. The stars are a bit thicker and more square than the ZR1/SS/GS wheels, also the rim lip is a lot different (not just painted different). Just FYI, I also won a set of 17x9.5 silver wheels from AAA wheels. The rims are manufactured by the same company that made the AFS ebay wheels that I won.

I don't mind them for track use, as they will make good race wheels. Just, if you are looking for a certain wheel, or trying to match another set, call them up and buy the good ones.

I use a pair of AFS 17x11's and love them, I won them off eBay too.

I am happy with my AFS 17x11 GS wheels.

Me 3 ... 1400lbs loading should be more than adequate

I have a set of both. The AFS wheels are of much better quality than the O. E. Wheel Distributor's. I also like the styling better on the AFS's do to the more rounded spokes as mentioned by EastLa above. Make sure you watch the off-sets.

There would be a 32lb unsprung weight difference from running OE 17x11's to the AFS's however.

In favor of....????

Originally posted by Larnach
There would be a 32lb unsprung weight difference from running OE 17x11's to the AFS's however.

Yes Larnach but which is the lighter?

Originally posted by mitchntx
Me 3 ... 1400lbs loading should be more than adequate

Mitch , I would be VERY concerned if my tire only had a 1400 lb load capacity so I am a bit suprised you have no concerns about this low load capacity of the wheel. After all if you hit a bump mid corner the wgt load on the outside front tire must be a lot higher than than.

I appreciate the concern.

OE 16" wheels are rated at 1600 lbs and FS guys are using them, running Hoosiers. I'm sure broken wheels have occured.

But just like them, I'll cross that bridge whn I come to it.

it sounds like larnarch is saying that even though the afs are better quality, but higher unsprung weight?

The GM wheels are 20lbs a piece, the AFS I beleive are arond 28lbs a piece. Big difference.

My AFS wheels are 24lbs each. I know the '01 SS 17x9 wheel and the '90 17x9.5 Corvette wheel weigh 22lbs. The OE 17x9.5 ZR1 is 20.5lbs.

Originally posted by bruecksteve
My AFS wheels are 24lbs each.

That sounds about right, AFS has given other weights as well, and other write ups on 17x11's have given other weights... SHEET! :D

AFS wheels do not weight 28#, and I doubt that GM 17x11's weigh 20#. CCW 17x11's weigh 20-21#, and AFW wheels are 23-24#. My 17x9 OEM '99 Firehawk wheels weigh 23# each.

Well then GM has their specs messed up because this is what was relayed to me.

I said the 17x9.5 ZR1 wheels weigh 20.5lbs, not the 17x11's...

Yes, and I was told my Lakeport that the 17x11 GS wheels are 20lbs.

Oh well, if its that minimal of a difference, the next question is the durability of the wheels.

Would you guys feel comfortable running down Sebring or Road Atlanta at 180mph with the AFS wheels?

Wellllll, if I could do 180 I wouldn't have a problem with them.

I do not believe that all AFS wheels are rated at 1400 lbs, just the ones won off of ebay (at least the sets with the squared stars). I've heard of someone buying some in the last few months from them, and they had a rating of 2400lbs. (but that was on a post somewhere). My older AFS wheels do not show a load limit unless it written small somewhere.

I'm running my 1400lbs rated rims with Kumhos with no problems.

Originally posted by Larnach

Would you guys feel comfortable running down Sebring or Road Atlanta at 180mph with the AFS wheels?

I do 140 down the front straight at Texas World Speedway. And the transition from teh NASCAR banking to the flat is a helluva ride!

I like my AFS wheels, but indeed they are no lightweights :eek:

If the older 2200 load limit rims are much heavier and the newer 1400 lb rims are lighter and actually adequately strong then they would seem like a real improvement. That angular momentum issue with big heavy wheels is a real problem.

Well at with all four supporting 5600lbs, that leavs 2000lbs of downforce for me to come up with:)

Originally posted by Larnach
Well at with all four supporting 5600lbs, that leavs 2000lbs of downforce for me to come up with:)
What do you think the wgt is on the outside front wheel mid corner, especially if you hit a bump? I would wager far more than 1400 lb. OTOH I have not heard of wheel failure during this type of situation.

True, put the car up on two wheels and you may be in trouble, however the envelope weight vs. failure weight, which one are they giving?