New center caps for my OZ Nova wheels

I've been looking for a new center cap for one of my OZs since one flew off on the expressway last spring. So I learned that the larger OZ Nova center caps are not the easiest to find, new or used. After talking to J about his custom Vibe centers for his Impala wheels I started looking around the junk yards for some thing different. I found that early 2000s Buick Century caps fit pretty good. I had a hard time finding 4 good ones so I found 4 new GM caps on eBay for $40.00. The silver color even matches really good. Just have to mount them to the rim, J used PEX fitting to attach his, and I think I have some laying around at work. What do you think?

Stock Nova centers:



Side by side comparison:


Century centers:



So now I have $240.00 wrapped up into the OZs.
I'm thinking of selling my OZ centers on eBay to help off set new tires.

Mike

I like that look a lot. Less obnoxious than the OZ centercaps IMO.

looks real smooth like compared to the ozs

mike they look great. less bulky also

Looks excellent!

Two thumbs up!

I like those wheels a lot more now. Those caps really do them justice.

Nice job Mike'EE..... Now lets see them ON the car!!!

BigBlackBeaSSt wrote:

Nice job Mike'EE..... Now lets see them ON the car!!!

Agreed, but not until you fix that clear coat....

Krzdimond wrote:

Agreed, but not until you fix that clear coat....

That's on my to do list.... Thanks for the sticky on that by the way.

Mike

That looks OUTSTANDING! Now put them on and post pics! WOW!

That looks much better than the original OZ caps. It's going to look great on your car.

the stock OZ caps were the biggest unflattering comment that I use to get all the time about the OZ rims when I had them on the peanutbutter sammich.

They look good with them buick centers, much more like a factory up grade rim now. they are still the best aftermarket for the dark coloured wagons.

NICE! Totally changes the look of the wheel, Mike. Makes it look much smoother. I always felt the stock OZ caps stuck out too much, kind of trucky to me.

Not bad now paint the emblem red white and blue.

Oh wow. That's sexy. Those caps were the reason I never liked the OZ wheels. VERY nice!

(You got PM!)

They completely change the wheels appearance Mike.And Jarrod is right about painting the
buick emblems red,white and blue.Those original centers should bring big money with an ebay
auction.How do they fit,pretty tight?

Those new centers look great! I never could get past the bulk of the OZ centers, like Lynol said reminds me of a truck center cap.

Those look sweet! They look like a factory upgrade for sure! I agree that the shields should be R/W/B, but they look sweet either way!

The new cap looks pretty good. What does the wheel look like w/o the centrecap ?

Mine have the small centre cap, and I like the look. Can you use the smaller style cap on your wheel ? If so, P/N is M608.

Now that I like Put a Buick Emblem in the middle of that and I would be all over it. Very nice Jason

Jason, those are some great looking OZs as well.Never understood the locator holes between the
stud holes on a rim sized for american vehicles.Know the european cars have the pins for easing
mounting.Are those 18" rims as well?

They are 18" rims. Don't some of the larger German cars have a 5x127mm bolt pattern ? I think that's why it has locator holes.

The in-between holes are used to locate the wheel position sensors on certain alignment machines.

- J

Thanks Jay,hadnt thought about the holes being for alignment heads.Makes a lot more sense
though.When I bought my BBS wheels the distributor said my set was the only ones without
those holes.

My OZs have a dual bolt pattern, 5 on 5", and 5 on 4 3/4". I've also got a recess, and a small boss with a threaded hole to mount the OZ center cap to the wheel. My wheels need a bigger center cap, with out them there kinda ugly.





Here's a shot of the center "painted" up



Mike

HUGE improvement.

I like that look alot.

Oh Mikey!!! Your wheels are complete!!!

Both the color and texture match are close to perfect.Didnt care for them at first but since you
painted the centers red,white and blue,I like them a lot.Great work,Mike!

I still dig em, but liked them better before the crest was painted.

I didn't paint them, just used a sharpie to see how I like them. I'm with Bill though, kinda like them more plain.

Mike

So how are the caps going to be held in there? I don't see a hole on your Buick centers for the screw.

I do love the look too. Giving me ideas now darnit!

JaySS used PEX plumbing fittings on his Vibe centers, I'm going the same route. Pics and info to come.

Mike

I would so like to have a set of these, they look just right at home on the wagon!! Are they even still around? Sorry but I am a few years behind on some of this info.

Are you looking for the centers or the wheels?I've been trying to find a set of these wheels for
years and they are RARE!

200OZ wrote:

My OZs have a dual bolt pattern, 5 on 5", and 5 on 4 3/4". I've also got a recess, and a small boss with a threaded hole to mount the OZ center cap to the wheel. My wheels need a bigger center cap, with out them there kinda ugly.





Here's a shot of the center "painted" up



Mike

Nice Job! excellent fit.

93RMW wrote:

200OZ wrote:

My OZs have a dual bolt pattern, 5 on 5", and 5 on 4 3/4". I've also got a recess, and a small boss with a threaded hole to mount the OZ center cap to the wheel. My wheels need a bigger center cap, with out them there kinda ugly.





Here's a shot of the center "painted" up



Mike

Nice Job! excellent fit.

I am liking the these better the more I look at them. Any update on them?

No, no updates, lots a of other than wagon stuff to do unfortunately.

Mike

I love the caps. I like the color too. Unless you can chrome them ... Just the emblem that is. Love to see them on the car.

Finally got the caps and wheels mounted, so here's the final results.
JaySS has a nice set up for mounting his centers, me on the other hand did this quickly the night before going to The Glen. I'll get another set of centers and get the mounting hole to line up better before I use the drill. Remember, measure twice, drill once.






Mike

Looking sharp as usual Mike!

They look great! I'd love to see a pic of the rim with the cap removed to see where you drilled into the rim for the screws.

Those caps really clean up the wheels a LOT! Now I gotta find some Olds caps that fit.

That is perfect!

Do you still have the factory OZ Centercaps? I need a couple - M627 is the number printed on the back of my two remaining.

I do like your idea of finding a factory cap that is a close fit, and going with the smooth finish.

Mine are mounted on a conversion van. once cracked at the bolt point, the other just disappeared.

Thanks - Andy.

Nope, I sold the other 3 caps I had left. Good luck finding one.

Mike

darn.


OK - Thanks.

Do you happen to have the dimensions of the Buick cap? I'm wondering if the Malibu cap is the same size... (2003 or so with the lugs like yours) I dont have a wheel in hand yet, but planning...

Chris

The diameter of the center caps need to be 6 7/8".