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18" Wheel Options For C5Z

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Old 10-14-2018, 03:19 AM
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Drunkonunleaded
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Default 18" Wheel Options For C5Z

My 04 Z06 Z16 is in need of tires. Considering finding decent rubber in OEM or close to OEM sizes is nearly impossible, I'm looking to pick up new wheels for an 18" setup. Initially, I planned to pick up two more Z16 rears (already have one actually), but I HATE how much poke is up front. While I understand that this is a popular/functional option, I can't get passed the look.

Ideally, I would move to a square(ish) setup, but running staggered wheels/tires isn't a huge deal as long as they are sizes with readily-available tires. Right now, that seems to be 315/30/18 (Rival S or RT615K+). What are people running for wheels in these sizes? I was originally considering CCW Classics, but am open to suggestions. My only concern is that eventually I'd like to step up to an AP/Essex BBK or similar.

Car will see use in AutoX (CAM most likely), some HPDEs, and general corner carving. Not as concerned with price as I am fitment and quality. Prefer polished aluminium or polished + clearcoat if possible.
Old 10-14-2018, 09:43 PM
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Josh67
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Forgestar F14s are hard to beat, I think you would have to spend twice the money to save a pound. My 11" F14s were 21.6 lbs each.

Last edited by Josh67; 10-15-2018 at 12:14 PM.
Old 10-15-2018, 09:26 AM
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smitty2919
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Forgestar is probably your best option considering custom offsets and cost. You can go to a 18x11 or 18x12 and still keep a 315 tire.

Last edited by smitty2919; 10-15-2018 at 09:28 AM.
Old 10-15-2018, 03:23 PM
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TmillerC5
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TSW wheels are nice. I have the nuringburg (SP) that I use for my track wheels 18X10.5 Nice for a square setup. Clears my Wilwood BBk also without any issue.
TSW C5 wheels
Old 10-15-2018, 03:42 PM
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NSFW
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Nurburgring

I have a set too. Tons of brake clearance.
Old 10-16-2018, 05:21 PM
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paul69camaro
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run 2 degrees of negative camber and they wont stick out... Probably not the best idea if its a street used vehicle but for track and autocross it's fine.
Old 10-17-2018, 08:15 PM
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Drunkonunleaded
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I appreciate all of the input. Presently, I'm looking at Forgeline. Some have recommended Forgestar, but I'm not exactly sold on their wheel designs or the fact that they are not hubcentric. Personally, wheels (or tires, brakes, etc.) are not an area where I would like to cut corners.

The TSWs seem to only list a 9" maximum for the fronts. For what I'm looking to do, I'm going to need something wider.
Old 10-17-2018, 08:20 PM
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lawson1603
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They are talking about running "rears" on all four corners

Originally Posted by RPatrick
I appreciate all of the input. Presently, I'm looking at Forgeline. Some have recommended Forgestar, but I'm not exactly sold on their wheel designs or the fact that they are not hubcentric. Personally, wheels (or tires, brakes, etc.) are not an area where I would like to cut corners.

The TSWs seem to only list a 9" maximum for the fronts. For what I'm looking to do, I'm going to need something wider.
Old 10-17-2018, 08:38 PM
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Drunkonunleaded
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Originally Posted by lawson1603
They are talking about running "rears" on all four corners
Which I'm (more than) fine with. Perhaps I'm mistaken, but aren't the offset requirements different between the front and the rear?
Old 10-18-2018, 08:17 AM
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smitty2919
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Most likely if a C5z wheel pokes out in the front but does not in the rear. IMO you are better off getting the same offset front/rear so you can rotate easier. Otherwise you need to dismount/remount tires.

Look online for calculators and determine a wheel size that will not poke out in the front, then see what it does in the rear.

You know a stock c5z wheel pokes out XX.XXmm, make adjustments to offset to reduce that and finalize a front wheel spec and how inner fender clearance will be.

OR call vendors and have them tell you lol.
Old 10-18-2018, 02:13 PM
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Matt_27
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The TSW 18x10.5 wheels have 65mm offset if I am not mistaken compared to 59mm for the OE, so they do not stick out as much. With a few degrees of camber they tuck inside the front fenders. Personally I will never pay $6,000 for a set of Forgelines because there are much better things to spend money on that will make me faster, but you are free to do that if you want .
Old 10-25-2018, 03:07 PM
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Given your plans for the car (HPDE), keep big brake kit options in mind when selecting wheels. Something like a CCW Classic with a stepped lip has horrible caliper clearance, while something like a CCW Corsair C14 has fantastic brake disc/caliper clearance. Many brake kit manufacturers offer downloadable wheel fitment templates that allow you to check wheels for clearance (see pic below). If you plan ahead now, you can save yourself a lot of headaches and expense later. If I had a dollar for every person who tells me, "Shoot! I really wish I had thought of this before I bought my wheels," I could probably be retire today.



Last edited by JRitt@essex; 10-25-2018 at 03:08 PM.
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Old 10-28-2018, 12:52 AM
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Drunkonunleaded
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Originally Posted by paul69camaro
run 2 degrees of negative camber and they wont stick out... Probably not the best idea if its a street used vehicle but for track and autocross it's fine.
That's A LOT of camber in the front, is it not? Granted, some people's setups may vary, but most of the setups I've seen over the years seem to be anywhere in the -1-1.5* range.

Originally Posted by Matt_27
The TSW 18x10.5 wheels have 65mm offset if I am not mistaken compared to 59mm for the OE, so they do not stick out as much. With a few degrees of camber they tuck inside the front fenders. Personally I will never pay $6,000 for a set of Forgelines because there are much better things to spend money on that will make me faster, but you are free to do that if you want .
That's not a terrible idea. A small hubcentric spacer (planning on SKF motorsport bearings with AP studs at time of brake/wheel replacement) could be used to space things out if the fitment is deemed poor.

Personally, I don't mind spending the money on a quality product if it meets my stupid requirements. Double that if it's a quality USA-made product. As previously stated, there are some areas where I don't like to cut corners. Wheels/tires/brakes are one of them.

Originally Posted by JRitt@essex
Given your plans for the car (HPDE), keep big brake kit options in mind when selecting wheels. Something like a CCW Classic with a stepped lip has horrible caliper clearance, while something like a CCW Corsair C14 has fantastic brake disc/caliper clearance. Many brake kit manufacturers offer downloadable wheel fitment templates that allow you to check wheels for clearance (see pic below). If you plan ahead now, you can save yourself a lot of headaches and expense later. If I had a dollar for every person who tells me, "Shoot! I really wish I had thought of this before I bought my wheels," I could probably be retire today.
You're the second person to recommend the Corsairs, I'll have to do some research. Do you have any experience regarding clearance with a Forgeline GA3R? Although it was a short Facebook exchange, Sam Strano gave me the impression that the AP Sprint kit will work fine with the Forgelines.
Old 11-01-2018, 12:05 PM
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I’m running Fikse FM5s on my C5Z and have a set of Fikse ARO on standby (presently on my C4). I would also keep an eye out for CCW Corsairs or Classics

Last edited by ElisTwoCents; 11-01-2018 at 12:05 PM.
Old 11-01-2018, 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by RPatrick
That's A LOT of camber in the front, is it not? Granted, some people's setups may vary, but most of the setups I've seen over the years seem to be anywhere in the -1-1.5* range.
-2° is what I used to run on my street car as a more mild setup. The track cars get between -2.8°-3.2° on the front and about -1.5° on the rear.
Old 11-17-2018, 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by RPatrick
Ideally, I would move to a square(ish) setup, but running staggered wheels/tires isn't a huge deal as long as they are sizes with readily-available tires. Right now, that seems to be 315/30/18 (Rival S or RT615K+). What are people running for wheels in these sizes?
A general rule of thumb is get the wheel width to within .5" of the tread width of the tire. Generally this is posted from the manufacturer, but you can measure it yourself. You can always certainly "squeeze" more tire onto a narrower rim, but to maximize the performance of the tire, it's important to support it correctly.

We can do custom offsets and widths in any of our builds, if we can be of any help at all, please feel free to contact us or any of our dealers.
Old 11-17-2018, 10:17 PM
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forgestars. 18s are on sale right now for $200 off. thats how i bought mine last year.
i would HIGHLY suggest staggered. i tried square first and had to wait way too long on exit to put power down and car felt to on edge. now running forgestar 11/12" 315/335

also the forgestars came with rings that make them hubcentric. mine did.

Last edited by STANG KILLA SS; 11-17-2018 at 10:20 PM.
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Old 11-19-2018, 11:13 PM
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ElisTwoCents
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Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS
also the forgestars came with rings that make them hubcentric. mine did.

So forgestars arent hubcentric or do you have to pay extra for hubcentric forgestar wheels?

Old 11-20-2018, 12:53 PM
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You would think they can make custom offsets, why can't they machine the bores according to the application.

Side note, are C5 front and rear hub diameters the same? I know Fbody's are slightly different.
Old 11-22-2018, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by ElisTwoCents
I’m running Fikse FM5s on my C5Z and have a set of Fikse ARO on standby (presently on my C4). I would also keep an eye out for CCW Corsairs or Classics
Great suggestions... We're running a Black Friday sale right now if anyone's interested in a set of Fikses! Buy 3 get 1 free!




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