LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

Camaro and Firebird: Custom Lug Nut Reviews

When an aftermarket alloy and forged rim is put on to a vehicle, it often requires a very specific lug nut to match the new mounting holes. If you find yourself in this situation, and have reviewed the aftermarket lug nut shops, you’ll note there are a million options to choose from. The following are three of the most popular brands.

By Jeffrey Bausch - March 10, 2016

This article applies to the Camaro and Firebird (1990-2015).

There are two main reasons why you’d want to update the lug nuts on your Camaro and Firebird–either they’re damaged and you’re risking damage to the rim/wheel, or you’ve purchased aftermarket rims and need a new set of lug nuts to match up with the new mounting holes.

lug nuts reviews
Figure 1. Custom lug nuts.

Either which way, the lug nut market is packed with options to choose from, ranging from very low priced options to questionably high-priced brands. It can be a bit of a headache narrowing it all down, so we focused on three of the more popular brands to review and compare against.

Custom Lug Nut Reviews
Gorilla Wheel Lock System
McGard Spline Drive
BLOX Aluminum
Price
 $65 for 24 $84 for 24 $40 for 20
Size

1.5" x 20 (RH)

1.5" x 20 (RH)

12 x 1.5mm
Performance
 Excellent Excellent Adequate
Lifespan
 Long-lasting Long-lasting Average
Warranty
 12 months 12 months 15 months
Best Quality: McGard Spline Drive

Best Value: Gorilla Wheel Lock System

Gorilla Wheel Lock System

Gorilla Wheel Lock System lug nuts

Price – $65 for a set of 24

Size – 1.5 in. x 20 (RH)

Performance – Excellent

Lifespan – Long-lasting

Warranty – 12 months

Reviewers who’ve used the Gorilla Wheel Lock System have reported extremely satisfied results. Beyond ease of installation, these lug nuts lock on to the rim securely and show very little wear over time, with many reports stating they’ve survived and been re-used following multiple tire rotations.

Those a bit better versed in this particular component cite excellent threading and thick chrome plating, which means the lug nuts are super secure, and long lasting.

All reported the nuts added a terrific look to the wheels of the vehicle. Recommended for its easy installation and durability.

McGard Spline Drive

McGard Spline Drive lug nuts

Price – $84 for a set of 24

Size – 1.5 in. x 20 (RH)

Performance – Excellent

Lifespan – Long-lasting

Warranty – 12 months

McGard is well regarded when it comes to their line of lug nuts. So much so, it’s recommended across multiple sites that these lug nuts be purchased online only because they won’t be found in stores.

The Splin Drive line of lug nuts are well engineered locking mechanisms—in the hand they don’t feel like they’re heavy duty components, but reviewers report they lock the rim/wheel securely, and do not rust or show age over the years.

Specifically, the cone of the lug nut is designed to spin inside the nut’s body—it doesn’t turn any more once it clamps to the wheel, thereby keeping the wheel and lug nut from getting damaged. Recommended for its durability and security.

BLOX Aluminum

Price – $40 for a set of 20

Size – 12 x 1.5mm

Performance – Adequate

Lifespan – Average

Warranty – 15 months

A more affordable option, though maybe not the longest lasting choice, is BLOX’s Aluminum lug nuts. The reviews here cite an easy install and unique design to the nuts that allow for the installation to be done without the tools getting anywhere near the rim/wheel (saving it from damage).

The lug nuts are reportedly soft (they’re made with aluminum), so they tend to wear out over time. They’ll last the lifetime of the warranty, but you may find yourself needing to replace them a bit further down the road. Recommended as it is affordable, but you will need to replace it often.

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