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So I got my 85 vette over the summer with plans to replace the rims and tires in spring of 17. However, they looked old so I had a sneaking suspicions that one of the tires will go flat. Sure enough, saw a flat on driver's rear wheel yesterday. Looks like I'm in the market sooner than I thought :lol
So here's the question, do anybody have suggestions for rims and tires combo? I would love to go gunmetal or matte black. i've looked into cray wheels but the reviews weren't promising and almost all of them had a polished lip which I'm not a fan of. i'm also eyeing nitto n555g2 for tires.
So I got my 85 vette over the summer with plans to replace the rims and tires in spring of 17. However, they looked old so I had a sneaking suspicions that one of the tires will go flat. Sure enough, saw a flat on driver's rear wheel yesterday. Looks like I'm in the market sooner than I thought :lol
So here's the question, do anybody have suggestions for rims and tires combo? I would love to go gunmetal or matte black. i've looked into cray wheels but the reviews weren't promising and almost all of them had a polished lip which I'm not a fan of. i'm also eyeing nitto n555g2 for tires.
Both OE Wheels and AFS Wheels have 17x9.5" ZR-1 style wheels that are made with the correct 38mm offset for the early 84-87 cars. They also have 17x11 wheels with a 50mm offset if you want to run 315/35-17's in the rear. Both companies have these wheels in semi-gloss black, chrome, polished, and a silver powdercoat. There probably are other wheel manufacturers that can make a set of wheels in that offset but at a much higher price.
The NITTO NT555g2 tire would be a good choice. Good in the wet and still sticky enough for "spirited" driving. I have the earlier version nt555's on my '93 in the 275/40 and 315/35 sizes. Pretty quiet too.
They also have 17x11 wheels with a 50mm offset if you want to run 315/35-17's in the rear.
Important to mention that the OP having an '85 if there's any inclination at all to run 315's on the rear a 36mm offset is required. Your suggested 50mm isn't going to work with out the addition of a 14mm spacer.
The 11" on an early C4 has it's own set of fitment circumstances that vary car to car.
I'll buy the thoughts of any after-market with the correct offsets to avoid spacer/adapter required for later OE/GM fitments.
OP - fix the flat and think/shop hard - there's many options. Many!!
OP - fix the flat and think/shop hard - there's many options. Many!!
Really?
I'd really like to hear wheel options for us early Vette guys that's not typical. I like my current mesh ARE 389's....but they were my PO's.
Looking for a little extra that says "Mine".
Been looking for more than the typical 5 for a while, 16"-17" x9.5.
Oh, and less than $600 a set. Heh.
Pointers welcome!
Last edited by kael; 10-18-2016 at 04:17 PM.
Reason: And inexpensive!
Yup very limited options for us early guys. Even the vendors that used to sell early C4 wheel sets don't anymore. Unless you want the wheel adapters, which I don't.
So I got my 85 vette over the summer with plans to replace the rims and tires in spring of 17. However, they looked old so I had a sneaking suspicions that one of the tires will go flat. Sure enough, saw a flat on driver's rear wheel yesterday. Looks like I'm in the market sooner than I thought :lol
So here's the question, do anybody have suggestions for rims and tires combo? I would love to go gunmetal or matte black. i've looked into cray wheels but the reviews weren't promising and almost all of them had a polished lip which I'm not a fan of. i'm also eyeing nitto n555g2 for tires.
Hi
You can fit the 88-96 wheels with one inch adapters, or you can get ZR1 and C6 wheels with the correct 84-87 offset.
See link below.
Yup very limited options for us early guys. Even the vendors that used to sell early C4 wheel sets don't anymore. Unless you want the wheel adapters, which I don't.
- 84-87 direct fit, 17 inchers seem to be an endangered species. furthermore, just because corvette central has something listed, doesn't mean they have it in stock. not to go OT, but i've been waiting for replacement sun visors for my 85 from CC for months now.
- 84-87 direct fit, 17 inchers seem to be an endangered species. furthermore, just because corvette central has something listed, doesn't mean they have it in stock. not to go OT, but i've been waiting for replacement sun visors for my 85 from CC for months now.
really? that's a bummer. i'm really surprised how hard it is to find a set of wheels for '85 vette...
The two links in the first post are particularly helpful when you are considering what to do, what will fit, what was stock, etc. The calculator link is tremendous benefit, imo.
i also have an 85 and recently purchased a set of oewheels zr1 style 17x9.5f, and 17x11r. i searched pretty hard for some 36 or 38mm offset wheels and did not find any. i ended up with the 88-96 fitment wheels and 1" adapters. i and lots of my buddies have run adapters on our porsche race cars for years with no issues. so im not worried about that. and the oe wheels i got for $490. for the set of 4 shipped from summit racing. the adapters were usa made forged 6061 and got them off ebay for $80. for set of 4 shipped. so for $570. i have a very nice set of wheels and adapters to make them work. not alot of tires company's make the 335/35/17 tires any longer but 315/35/17 are readily available in 7 or so brands. i ended up with the mickey thompson street comp tires 315/35/17 rears for $302. and the matching mickey thompson street comp 275/40/17 fronts for $258. also from summit racing. shop around as these are not summits listed prices. but they price match and i prefer to deal with them instead of no name tire suppliers. have fun and happy motoring. hopefully you find something in my experiance useful.
post script; there are cheaper adapters available on ebay that are made in china but i am a strong believer in buy usa made if you can. cheaper adapters were $49. for a set of 4 i believe. again, i bought the usa made adapters. have fun.
10-17-2016, 07:17 PM
85 vette, need help on tires/rims
i dabbled on bbs site as well and the earliest corvette year available was a '88.
- 84-87 direct fit, 17 inchers seem to be an endangered species. furthermore, just because corvette central has something listed, doesn't mean they have it in stock. not to go OT, but i've been waiting for replacement sun visors for my 85 from CC for months now. 
