Here's the story; Last week my exhaust pipe broke off my ansa exhaust (79 308). I've been thinking about a Larini system. Does anyone have any experience with this manufacturer? Or how the systems sound? Now this week I discovered my slow leak that had developed in my right rear tire is from a hairline crack in the rim. So, now I need rims. I was going to get new rims anyway because I didn't like the cheesey gold BBS wheels that were on it, I just needed a real reason. I was thinking of the recreational GTO 17" speedline rims. Does anyone else think I should go different? Maybe compomotive's version? Thanks for your help in advance, Jim
Jim, BigAl posted his impressions of the Larini system here: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87209 Nice system! Barry
The Speedline GTO rims are no longer available. Here are the choices for that style. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106030&highlight=gto+f40+compomotive
Thanks for the responses, that's exactly what I was looking for. Speedline said that they would custom make me the 288gto wheels when I inquired about 6 months ago. How long have they been unavailable for? Jim
Jim, Wheels are entirely subjective, but since you asked for opinions.....I personally think that the GTO reproductions are a little tacky, only because I think fake knock-off single lugs are cheesy. Seen them up close? They have a cover over the lug bolts that is so obviously fake, it's not fooling anyone. It's like fake intakes on a Mustang. Ack. Just my $.02. Lots of people like them. Birdman
You know what i'm going to do JB, when i get mine, i'm going to come over your house, when you're gone for work, and swap tires on the 308. (Ad evil laugh here)
I just looked at the compomotive wheels at their website. I think they look pretty good. I just think they look sharp, and I think they just go with the car, I really hadn't thought of the fake single lug look. The 288GTO doesn't have single lug does it? John, where did you purchase your 16" wheels for your GTB? What tires are you running?
Chris, I know you like them! Hey man, to each his own! They look OK from a distance if ya squint! Jim, yes the 288GTO has a single lug ("knock off") wheel like an F40. That's why the clones are knock-offs of knock-offs! I like the fact that the GTO clone wheels are 17". They are the right diameter, there is just the matter of that goofy cover over the lug bolts! I bought a set of Superformance 16" QV replicas a while back, and I liked them just fine. Then I found a set of real OEM QV wheels on eBay and bought them. So I sold the repros. So my car has QV wheels now. They are nice. They look just right on a 308. Birdman
In the Fall of 2002, they told me they were unavailable. If they are making them again, there may be some interest. Most importantly, there are some folks who have lost a "knock off, knock off" and have been looking for replacements for years. I bought two extra "knock off knock offs" with my Compomotives. Look back at the thread I posted, and you will see that the Speedlines are a little different (the spokes are more rounded). I would have bought the HREs if they were still available, but same answer from them - no longer availble new. The HRE "knock off knock offs" are chrome and more similar to the real GTO single hub. Below are pictures of the Speedline (17 inch) and Compomotive (16 inch). My profile pic is Compomotive in 17 in. Speedline knock off screws on, Compomotive uses an allen bolt. Birdman, I like the "knock off knock off" phrase! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Mule, I have to admit, the top one looks pretty good! The set of these I saw up close once must have been Compomotive, because the allen bolt thing completely gave away the fact that the center section was a fake cover over the wheel bolts. (knock off knock off!) The Speedline one pulls it off much more convincingly! Then again, the Compomotives look more like the 288 GTO wheel except for the cover. Oh well, someone needs to combine the two designs. Chris-I will not make fun of you too much if you get the Speedlines! Birdman
Great pictures Mule! That's going to be tough to choose. If Speelines aren't available then there's only one to pick. But still, i like the Compomotives ones better. That allen bolt, i'm not to crazy about either. Maybe a cap or something?
+1 for QV wheels. I have the Superformance wheels on my GTSi and love them. As for exhaust, I can't comment on the Larini system, I'm actually about to replace my stock setup with an Ansa Sport. Cheers, Aaron '82 GTSi '83 400iA
Yeah, I'd have to say a combination of the Speedline and Compomotives would be the best combo. I do like the HRE's though. I wouldn't mind the 16" QV wheels, I was thinking that the Compomotives would look best. Anything is better than the Gold BBS wheels that the car came with. My old exhaust is an ansa. I like the sound in the mid, and upper rev range, but down low it sounds pretty lame. Not bad, just not mean. At about 4 grand it sounds great.
The little allen bolt is not really that noticeable, unless you are looking for it. Remember that my 1989 328 came with convex wheels, so the replacements are almost convex. On a 308, they will have a deeper dish. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Those wheels really do look great on that car. I think I'm leaning towards the compomotives. That's a great pic! Thanks, Jim
