[jkeyzer]

Thanks for the info guys. The ball seat style of lug nuts does not appear to be common at all (unique to Porsche/VW?).

If you compare a Porsche lug nut with the chevy, they actually look pretty similar - the radius of the ball seat is pretty large so it is approaching a linear taper. I think this is why some people can get away with it, but I am concerned like others here about wheel damage or the lugs losing torque (thrown_hammer is probably getting nervous now).

I am still curious as to whether it is common knowledge among racers that the taper difference does not matter in practice, and whether racers have dismissed this issue and are using chevy lugs anyway without incident (because the cost is appealing and they are readily available?).

The only safety issue I have heard of with the stock alloy lugs is what KTL, mikeZ and others said about not being able to see thread engagement. This is not an issue for me as I am not racing the car with an organization that requires open lugs.

My reason for switching is that my alloy lug nuts are in poor shape and I am looking for a more durable, cheaper replacement and I am willing to accept the weight penalty of steel lug nuts.