Winter Upgrades: (56K Warning: Multiple Pics)

Today, I got my winter wheels and tires installed. I also got my hood cover bra installed at the same time. As for splash guards, that's another story....

In the photos, the ride height may look different, but that's only because in one shot, the car has nothing in the trunk, in the other shot, it has 4 wheels AND tires in the trunk, thus bringing it lower. The actual outer diameter of the before and after tires are identical.



Here you can see the nice tread that the Dunlop Graspic DS-1s have. I like the lateral ice wedges. These were $500 and change at Walmart - a real steal. Next, you can see how the Malibu Maxx rims (CDN PN: 9594785, $120CDN ea.) fit perfectly on the hub and bolt pattern, using the stock lugs. Lastly, you can see the tire size used (215/55/R16), which makes the diameter same as stock, keeping your ODO, and Speedo accurate.



I thought you'd all want to know about the caliper clearance. 16" steel rims are as small as we can go. You can see the first two pictures here show the front calipers. The rears have a bit more room. I'll have to keep an eye on the front ones to make sure they don't freeze up - it's pretty tight.



New Tires and wheels, before and after, Front Passenger, viewed from the front.



New Tires and wheels, before and after, Front Passenger, viewed from the rear.



New Tires and wheels, before and after, Rear Passenger, viewed from the front.



New Tires and wheels, before and after, Rear Passenger, viewed from the rear.



I'm happy with how the GM bra turned out. (CDN PN: 12499903 $136.87CDN) Before and after, viewed head-on.



Bra before and after, viewed from a 3/4 angle.



When I was humming and hawing about getting a hood deflector or a hood bra to protect me from the gravel roads, I thought I couldn't get the best of both worlds. Turns out that the GM bra has a built in deflector - sweet.




Here are a few shots of the whole package installed.

 

looks like um... its got winter wheels and tires on it, lol. But seriously, I m not sure on your reasoning behind the bra, but I do warn you that my old talon had one on it, and when I took it off when I bought the car, the corners of the hood were rusted, because the bra will hold moisture against the metal, just something to think about.

 

^ouch

 

i had a bra on my '02 cavalier. i gave it away when i bought my cobalt. the lady i gave the bra to had it on for about a year when she took it off the wash her car it feel apart from dryrotting, so beware.

 

i like my cars like i like my ladies bra-less.

 

^^^agreed

 

What does the bra actually do? What's its purpose?

 

Word.

 

Bondage!

 

what he said b4 me

 

QUOTE: "What does the bra actually do? What's its purpose?"

Well, it protects those of us who have to drive on gravel roads from the inevitable stone chips. The deflector on the bra helps erduce the chances of a stone riding up and hitting your windshield too.

The GM bra has a special "no rub" backing...........time will tell........

 

You can see how the Malibu Maxx rims...

Wait...why and where did you buy the Maxx rims?

 

beastly tire treads. i cant wait to park my car in the garage for the winter. poor thing its already got road salt on it ill have my girls cavy to beat around this winter at college

 

Loose the bra man. It'll just collect road salt, ice, and other ****. Then it rubs around scratching the hell out of your hood man. Trust me on this one as I learned the hard way with my first car.

 

you need to get the 2.4 lower grille to fill that hole in the lower fascia... that'll keep the AC condenser and radiator nicely protected.

 

i bet you can roast the **** out of those winter tires lol...

 

might be worth having a bra for the worst 2-3 months of the winter, then take it off.

but i wouldnt leave it on for long.


Btw Kaltire quoted me steelies for $85 canadian....

 

Nice tires I am putting my stock tires and hubs back on my LS and as far as the bra goes im not really digging the look of it. Also i had one on a thunderbird and it actually rusted the hood like fastfreddy said happened to him as well as eventually rubbed alot of the paint off on the front bumper

 

QUOTE: Btw Kaltire quoted me steelies for $85 canadian....

Yeah, either Kal Tire doesn't know about the special bolt pattern (for the SC), or your hub/bolt pattern is different from mine. The only available (edit: steel) rims are from GM directly - had this confirmed many times. Better get Kal Tire to test fit them first. You will probably end up buying from a dealership in the end like I did.

QUOTE: Loose the bra man. It'll just collect road salt, ice, and other ****. Then it rubs around scratching the hell out of your hood man. Trust me on this one as I learned the hard way with my first car.

Yeah, been thinking about this one alot too. But, I don't like the look of my dad's car (drives the same gravel roads I'll be driving); the hood is FULL of stone chips, and it's a fairly new car too. When he used only the deflector, he saved the hood but the front fascia was still screwed up..... Hmmmmmm........ Well, I'll see how hard it is to take off myself. I'll be checking it alot....

QUOTE: i bet you can roast the **** out of those winter tires lol...

Lol - yup! Trying to keep off the gas pedal for another 6 months will be tough.

 

I specifically asked him what bolt pattern he was looking up.
5X110 16" 6.5

Check it out.
Canadian tire quoted me $94. also confirmed dimensions

 

3M makes a clear vinyl bra...maybe you should look into that...

 

Wow, that is strange. Well, I'd love to see pics when it's installed. Fountain Tire and Winnipeg Wheel (and GM or course) didn't find anything else.

EDIT: Hey, do you know the part number for those wheels? I'd love to call back to a few of the places that quoted me $150 and ask what's up.

 

Yeah, I heard about that. Any links or part number info? I wonder if there are any installers / dealers of those here in Winnipeg.

 

im with everyone else bring the bra back.. bras are nothing but trouble in the long run!

 

I got the same wheels and tires from Tirerack for $615.00us