C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Wheel backspacing on C3?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 06:49 PM
  #1  
jbaron's Avatar
jbaron
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 370
Likes: 5
From: Bradley Il.
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
Default Wheel backspacing on C3?

I hope someone knows, Will a wheel with a 4.5 backspace fit a C3 (74) with out a prblem. The ones I want only come that way in a 15x8 unless I go custom.
Thanks Jim
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 06:56 PM
  #2  
1981Z06Vette's Avatar
1981Z06Vette
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
Default

I'm pretty sure that the stock 15x8 Ralleys are a 4" backspacing, so you should be fine. I'd take some measurements off of your existing wheel just to be safe, though.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 07:03 PM
  #3  
1982CorvetteDude's Avatar
1982CorvetteDude
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
Default

I have 17" rims with a 4.5" BS and I had to move the parking brake bracket on top of the trailing arm because it hit the rim in the stock location.

I think you will at least have that issue for sure
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 09:17 PM
  #4  
Rodbuster's Avatar
Rodbuster
Advanced
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: WAKEMAN OHIO
Default

I put 4-1/2 backspace on and had to run 1/2 inch spacers.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 09:26 PM
  #5  
Glass Act's Avatar
Glass Act
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Default

Pull one of your rims, lay a bar across the back of the rim, measure from the back of the rim to the bar. You will now know what the rim backspace your running now is.
I run 4.5 BS on both our 72 & 79 Vettes, no issues, some years have different issues, some must remove the emerg. brake bracket to the top, some need wheel spacers, do the quick check of what you have now
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 09:37 PM
  #6  
GrandSportC3's Avatar
GrandSportC3
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Default

It depends on what size tires you are using.. It also depends on your trailing arms etc..
I personally use 15 x 10 wheels with 4.5 inch backspacing with ET Drag 28 x 10.5W - 15 slicks.. However, my frame is modified for extra clearance and I'm using offset trailing arms..
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 08:05 PM
  #7  
SpE3dF0x's Avatar
SpE3dF0x
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Default

This is a REALLY good point because I would like to know if 16 X 8's are acceptable without ANYmodification? But I know I'll need to do something about it. Any suggestions other than modifing my FRAME>?
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 07:09 AM
  #8  
StickShiftCorvette's Avatar
StickShiftCorvette
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
Default

I ran 15 x 8 wheels with 4" backspacing. I recall a stock aluminum 15 x 8 (later C3s) actually had 4.125" backspacing.

I currently run 17 x 8 wheels with absolutely no modifications. Either 245/45 or 255/40s fit well with no interfereces anywhere.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 25, 2008 | 06:38 PM
  #9  
SpE3dF0x's Avatar
SpE3dF0x
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Default

Thanks man! Printing this out!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Wheel backspacing on C3?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:34 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE