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When using them for modern wheel/tire setups, are the OEM studs strong enough ???? If not, what is a recommended replacement???
Also, from the search function, is 2.5" front/2.75" rear the approved solution ??? When do you start running the risk of getting outside the wheelwells ??
Yes the OEM are stong enough as long as they aren't rusted and the threads messed up. I have been running 3" adapters on my 73 for about 10 years now with no issues. I run the 16X9.5 all the way around and run 265/45/16 kumho victoracer v700s. They do stick out of the feners a little, but that doesn't concern me. It is an autocross car and the wider adapters help widen the track of the car.
The way the adapters work is to bolt the adapter to the original studs and then you bolt the wheel to the new studs on the adapter. As far as size goes, it depends on what wheels you plan to run. The 84-87 style require a smaller adapter than the 88-92 or the 93-96 wheels. If you can, pick up a vette brake and products catalogue and look in there for the recommended size for the wheels you want to run. If I remember, I can look it up tonight when I get home from work. I work until 1am central and get home around 3am eastern time (yes I live and work in two different time zones). Just post what size wheels you plan on running and I can look it up.
I looked in the VB&P catalog and it only lists the 84-96 style wheels. I dont' know what kind of difference the C5 wheels make. I know I have seen cars with these wheels on them, but don't know what size adapters they were using. I am just guessing here, but I would think the C5s should be similar to the 93-96 wheels as far as back spacing and offset goes. For those wheels, it suggests 2.75" in front and 3.0" in the rear.
I would suggest calling/emailing VB&P and asking about fitment. They would know better than me. There is a link to their website on teh banner to the left.