HRE 543R: Testing clearances on 2007 XLR

[madcurl]

I got a call from HRE today. The remaining three HRE 543R wheels are completed and ready for shipping. I've driven around town and on the hwy putting in at least another 10-15 miles w/o any clearance issues.

 

[madcurl]

My other three "shoes" arrived.

Only one problem. I have to transport the wheels to the nearest tire/wheel technician which is out of town.

 

[madcurl]

While we're on the subject of "clarification" I just wanted to add that the specs given in this thread are from HRE (not me). These wheels were custom made according what the (previous Corvette) customer wanted.

Original car: Chevrolet 2004 Z06 Corvette

The front #s;
19x9.5, ET52, Rims 8.0/1.5

The rears #s;
20x11.0, ET61, Rims 9.0/2.0

The tires sizes I've decided to use are P-Zero run flats; 275/35/19 (f) and 275/35/20 (r). 19x10 (f) and 20x10 (r)
(you can check TireRack for the specs on the tires being used).

Okay, here are the (new) specs from HRE:

Custom Front & rear:

19x10, Rims 8.5" inner w/1.5" outer PH (*?) ET 57
20x10, Rims 8.0" inner w/2.0" outer PH 1.3" ET 48

* I didn't find the PH (pad height) specs for the fronts, but once I find the paper work I'll post it. Originally, the wheels cleared Ebaer brakes for the Z06 Corvette using 13" front rotors and 14" rear rotors. In any rate, I shouldn't have any issues with stock XLR or Corvette Z06 brakes.

 

[madcurl]

HRE threw in a T-shirt and center caps.

If you ever find a set of HRE 5x120 wheels on Ebay from a Corvette I would jump on them. I saw the same set I have sell for $1,200 and with minor tweaking you'll be far ahead of the wheel game. HRE will work with you and patiently get you what you really want. The good news is; if you desire to have the same off-set as I you're ahead of the game and if you happened to have an accident you can always send the wheel back to HRE. These guys are great!

 

[madcurl]

Here (was) an example of the same style of HRE that sold for $1,600 (with tires)!

A Corvette Z06 with 19/20 combo.

Here's what the seller stated regarding these wheels;

"HRE 3 Piece Forged Aluminum 543 Wheels. Polished finish. Includes HRE center caps.Fronts: 19x9.5"
Rear: 20x10"
Good used condition but do have some cosmetic blemishes. There are water spots, very light surface scratches and some very minor discoloration from sitting in the garage for a few years. No bends, cracks or curb rash. I would give them a 8/10 for condition. They could very easily be restored to perfect by polishing. I took a few hours and polished one of the wheels and it turned out great. These just need a few hours TLC and you'll have a very nice set up.
They do have tires on them but I would not recommend using. I am going to leave them on the tires though to protect during shipping. The tires are Falken and they are sizes 275/30/19 and 285/30/20. They are from 2002 and one of the fronts has bad cracks in the side wall. The tread is good but due to age and safety I definitely recommend they be replaced.
These fit really well on both base, convertible, and FRC or Z06 C5 Corvettes. Years are 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004. They could fit C6's as well but that fitment would be up to you to determine.
I have a ton more pictures and a few videos I can send prospective buyers. Just email me. mmenousek at gmail dot com
Buyer will pay shipping or pick up locally. Will also pay paypal fees. Wheels are used and there is no warranty or gaurantee. Sale is final. Shoot me an email if you want to see specifics on condition or fitment."

As you can see this set was far better than mine, but I fetched my wheels for $500 out the door. That said, all that would've been needed was to get the specs on the backside of wheel and then call HRE.

 

[madcurl]

Yesterday, girlfriend and I took a ride in the XLR and I'm happy to report that there were no rubbing or clearance issues plus I had the spare in the trunk too. The distant covered were about 7-miles or so in and around town and on the hwy. However, for the first time I've had the car the tire pressure sensor come on. Apparently, the tyre pressure was low (around 30 lbs) so I inflated to 42-psi which quickly resolved that issue.

 

[madcurl]

Run flats: SEMA show 2012

 

[madcurl]

After market wheels: back space. 6"

The HRE back spacings:

Fronts: 7.5"

Rears: 8"

Comparison



Front; 19x10

Rear;20x10

I drop my wheels off at the shop today for mounting. The tire technician should be in on Wednesday and that's when the fun begins.

 

[madcurl]

19x10 weight

The wheels will be mounted and balanced sometime on Wednesday.

 

[madcurl]

Well, on Friday the last of the three wheels were mounted on my XLR and I must say that the ride was smoother than the stock OEM tires. It's no wonder why many here complain about them here for they are crap! Must be the skinny width and hard side walls or something. Anyway, the 275/35 P-Zero run flats are alright by me even though there wider and are a low profile tire compared to the OEM tires.
I've only driven maybe 20 or so miles thus so far, but they sound quiet too.

At the shop it took at least 20-minutes for the rears to be mounted. My tire technician said that it was hard to mount due to the sensers and the run flats hard side walls. Currently I'm on a work computer so I can't post pictures, but I must say that my XLR looks awesome! Next on the list are the Z06 brakes that I purchased from a fellow member here. I hope to eventually purchase the exhaust system that everybody raves about and later the widebody kit from D3 (maybe?). I need to drive down there after the SEMA show.

 

[MarkSki]

The pictures of the tires on the stand at the show do not have much rubber between the rim and the road or is it just the picture? Looks like there isn't much more than 4 inches.

They don't ride rough? I don't have run flats, my XLR came with new non-run flat Mich Pilots installed by the dealer so I don't have an idea just how rough that tire is.

I have a can of flat fix it and a compressor and rubber plug kit if I ever run into problems.

 

[madcurl]

The pictures of the tires on the stand at the show do not have much rubber between the rim and the road or is it just the picture? Looks like there isn't much more than 4 inches.

They don't ride rough? I don't have run flats, my XLR came with new non-run flat Mich Pilots installed by the dealer so I don't have an idea just how rough that tire is.

I have a can of flat fix it and a compressor and rubber plug kit if I ever run into problems.

There's not much tire height on 285/30 (maybe 3.6" at best?), but I guess the only way to look at it is from a Corvette point of view. Once you've gone passed the OEM sizes to a larger rim you have no choice but to use a lower series tire albeit 40,35, and/or 30 series. As for my choice it's a 35-series (the picture was for visual that they make those two sizes). The P-Zero tire compound is softer, sticky, and grippy. I've only driven a little less than 100 miles and I've notice on the normal route that I use I don't feel the harshness of the road and less road noise. You'd think that because the tires are wider it would be worst. Those boney Michelin 235/50/18 were rough.

I too have a tire compressor

 

[madcurl]

I've been driving around in town on on the freeways since last Friday and I must say the car looks 10x better with the exotic wheels from HRE. The uniqueness of the XLR is one thing, but once you've thrown on a new pair of shoes it's like you're dressed to the nines. The rake of the 19/20 combo fits the car perfectly and the stance is just perfect, but it looks like I'll be going wide body on my XLR. I don't know if I'm going with D3 design, but my own style. My idea is to widen the rear end w/o having it look like I've added flares. Pictures on Friday. I got a set of Corvette C6 rotors and calipers too so that should be nice to see behind the HREs.

 

[madcurl]

The drop off:

Here's the before pic.

and now the after pic:

I was pressed for time so I had to mount the wheels onto the XLR myself, but that made it exciting! The guys at the shop were great and w/o any issues; they know they're stuff. Very professional and with the high end wheel mounting units; like the ones I seen at a previous SEMA show.

Here's a pic of the second of four wheels mounted. I had to go back to the shop twice (no room in the XLR), plus I had to be at work and the traffic was backing up, but I was able to get all wheels on an hour before I needed to be at work.

 

[madcurl]

The next day I got a chance to clean the XLR and take of few pics. I hope you like them. Enjoy.

XLR: Made in the USA and

HRE: Made in the USA.

 

[madcurl]

 

[madcurl]

I didn't have much time to spend taking really, really good scenic pics, but here's a few. Enjoy.

My own Silhouette

 

[XLRATING]

If we had a "like," I would give you one - cool pics, nice scenic ones!

 

[madcurl]

I had the local shop reset the computer due the the new sensors installed.

 

[madcurl]

20x10

275/35/19 P-Zero

275/35/20
No doubt run flats are heavier than non run flat tires.