C3 upsizing wheels
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C3 upsizing wheels
Hi, i'm new to the forum, and have read several threads on this topic. I know the TT II's work, but everyone has those. I was wondering if anyone had experience with KMC Venoum wheel, or the KMC helo Maax 6. The wheel shop here says they will work in an 18x8.5.
Also, I have found an old KMC wheel now made by MB motoring on a discount tire site (discount tire and wheel), it is 18x8 with 5x120.65 bolt pattern with a 5mm offset. it sounds like it would work, but i'm not sure how to calculate the difference between offset and backspace. Of course the website won't recomend anything over a 16 for the 74 vert. Thanks to anyone who can help.
Also, I have found an old KMC wheel now made by MB motoring on a discount tire site (discount tire and wheel), it is 18x8 with 5x120.65 bolt pattern with a 5mm offset. it sounds like it would work, but i'm not sure how to calculate the difference between offset and backspace. Of course the website won't recomend anything over a 16 for the 74 vert. Thanks to anyone who can help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Offset is the distance from the mouting face to the centerline of the rim...not a useful measurement for us. Backspace is the distance from the mounting face to the inside edge of the rim. Traditional C3 wheels are 0" offset, 4" backspace. Clearing the calipers is normally the main problem.
Pics for the curious...
KMC Venom:
Helo Maax 6:
Pics for the curious...
KMC Venom:
Helo Maax 6:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Everybody has the TT2s because they look awesome on a C3, most aftermarket wheels are too 'modern' and look out of place on Corvettes. The rims on the photos above look great but I'm not sure if I like them on a C3, do some photoshopping 
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
The 5 spoke patterns look great on a C3 - but those have way too much going on. The rivets and angles will take away from the C3 body lines. I don't think you would like these on the vette. Good luck in your search
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
Everybody has the TT2s because they look awesome on a C3, most aftermarket wheels are too 'modern' and look out of place on Corvettes. The rims on the photos above look great but I'm not sure if I like them on a C3, :
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
how can a 158$ wheel be good quality, me thinks those things have crazy runout.... I've seen soem of those aftermarket aluminium wheels (and especially the C4 ZR1 repops) that have terrible runout. I'd rather pay more for a quality wheel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
how can a 158$ wheel be good quality, me thinks those things have crazy runout.... I've seen soem of those aftermarket aluminium wheels (and especially the C4 ZR1 repops) that have terrible runout. I'd rather pay more for a quality wheel.
But if I could afford to pop out $300-400 a wheel I guess I would think the same way.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Hey, I have to save up to buy stuff also, however I refuse to save up a little and buy junk, I believe in saving a few more pennies and buying quality stuff instead. IMO 158$ junk wheels are infintely more expensive than 500$ quality wheels .... if you catch my drift.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
there are many good quality wheels out there for less than $200 - the rims that discounttire sells are by far not the worst.... I'm suspicious when I see these $59 PepBoys rims 
