Wheel Specs

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Non "Special Edition" 15x7 inch Snowflake 1977-1981 "Special Edition" 15x7 inch Snowflake 1977-1981

Here you can see the difference between the 15x7 inch Snowflakes for 1979-81 (left) and 1977-81 (right)

You can tell from far away by the inner most circle has edges on the right and not the left.

Non "Special Edition" WS6 15x8 inch Snowflake 1978-1981 "Special Edition" WS6 15x8 inch Snowflake 1978-1981

Now, there are also differences in the 15x8 inch rims as well. As you can see in the photos below, the edges are

different on different rims. The 15x8 rims from early 1978 had sharp corners around the edges and the ones from late 1978 and later had more of a rounded edge. The spokes in the middle are also different. The early style had 1/4 inch thick spokes in the center, the later style had 3/8 inch spokes in the center. It isn't by much, but you can definitely see a difference.

Also, there is more even in the later style rims. You can't really notice because they look almost exactly alike but some I have seen are 5/16 inch thick spokes, and the others are 3/8 inch spokes. So, there are actually THREE (3), styles of 15x8 inch rims out there. So, if you are looking to buy or replace just one or two wheels, make sure you get the right ones.

These wheels came on Gold Special Edition WS6 Equipped cars in 1978 as seen below

There are slight differences between the 15x7 Turbo Rims and the WS6 15x8 Turbo Rims. It is hardly noticeable but when you line the two up together, you can definitely see the difference. From the top looking down at the Turbo rims, it is hard to tell. In the photo below you can't even really see a difference can you? Ok, besides one is real shinny and the other one is real dull.

The difference between the rims really comes in the depth of the front dish. The rims are real close in height. They are both 16 inches across, but the 15x7 Turbo rim is only 8 1/2 inches tall whereas the 15x8 Turbo rim is 9 inches tall.

Like I said above, the difference come in the front dish depth of the rim. They both have a 4 1/2 inch back spacing to them, but the front spacing is different. The 15x7 Turbo only has about a 3 1/4 inch depth and the 15x8 Turbo has about a 3 3/4 inch depth. It is really noticeable when you look closely at them.

So, if some one is selling you a set of Turbo rims and you need the 15x8 inch ones for 10th Anniversary cars, then ask them the EXACT measurements on the height of the rim. Some people measure them and see that they are 8 1/2 inches tall, so they figure they have 15x8 inch Turbo Rims... Well, they aren't. Don't take round numbers like "Well, its about 9 inches...", ask them the EXACT height.


	Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Page \| 1978 Pontiac Trans Am __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Wheel Specs You have found the Old www.78ta.com, Please veiw the new site by clicking the logo below: Honeycomb Rims 1970-1976 Rally Wheels 1971-1979 Non "Special Edition" 15x7 inch Snowflake 1977-1981 "Special Edition" 15x7 inch Snowflake 1977-1981 "Special Edition" 15x7 inch Snowflake 1979-1981 Here you can see the difference between the 15x7 inch Snowflakes for 1979-81 (left) and 1977-81 (right) You can tell from far away by the inner most circle has edges on the right and not the left. Also, the outer most circle has openings on the left, but not on the right. "Redbird Edition" Snowflake 1977-1978 "SkyBird Edition" Snowflake 1977-1978 Non "Special Edition" WS6 15x8 inch Snowflake 1978-1981 "Special Edition" WS6 15x8 inch Snowflake 1978-1981 Now, there are also differences in the 15x8 inch rims as well. As you can see in the photos below, the edges are different on different rims. The 15x8 rims from early 1978 had sharp corners around the edges and the ones from late 1978 and later had more of a rounded edge. The spokes in the middle are also different. The early style had 1/4 inch thick spokes in the center, the later style had 3/8 inch spokes in the center. It isn't by much, but you can definitely see a difference. Also, there is more even in the later style rims. You can't really notice because they look almost exactly alike but some I have seen are 5/16 inch thick spokes, and the others are 3/8 inch spokes. So, there are actually THREE (3), styles of 15x8 inch rims out there. So, if you are looking to buy or replace just one or two wheels, make sure you get the right ones. Sharp corner edge (Gold SE see below) Rounded corner edge 5/16 inch spokes 3/8 inch spokes Gold "Special Edition" WS6 15x8 inch Snowflake early 1978 These wheels came on Gold Special Edition WS6 Equipped cars in 1978 as seen below Or even some Black Non-Special Edition cars early in 1978 Here is the dealer Bulletin to show what I mean. 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am Rims 1981 Turbo Trans Am Rims 1979 - 1981 "Special Edition" Turbo Rims There are slight differences between the 15x7 Turbo Rims and the WS6 15x8 Turbo Rims. It is hardly noticeable but when you line the two up together, you can definitely see the difference. From the top looking down at the Turbo rims, it is hard to tell. In the photo below you can't even really see a difference can you? Ok, besides one is real shinny and the other one is real dull. 15x7 Turbo 15x8 Turbo The difference between the rims really comes in the depth of the front dish. The rims are real close in height. They are both 16 inches across, but the 15x7 Turbo rim is only 8 1/2 inches tall whereas the 15x8 Turbo rim is 9 inches tall. Like I said above, the difference come in the front dish depth of the rim. They both have a 4 1/2 inch back spacing to them, but the front spacing is different. The 15x7 Turbo only has about a 3 1/4 inch depth and the 15x8 Turbo has about a 3 3/4 inch depth. It is really noticeable when you look closely at them. 15x7 Turbo 15x8 Turbo So, if some one is selling you a set of Turbo rims and you need the 15x8 inch ones for 10th Anniversary cars, then ask them the EXACT measurements on the height of the rim. Some people measure them and see that they are 8 1/2 inches tall, so they figure they have 15x8 inch Turbo Rims... Well, they aren't. Don't take round numbers like "Well, its about 9 inches...", ask them the EXACT height. Back © 2001-2008 Hitman's Trans Am Page. All rights reserved.