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

Wheel Options

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 15, 2002 | 01:25 AM
  #1  
DollaGreen's Avatar
DollaGreen
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha WI
Default Wheel Options

Can I get some help with the specs for what type of wheels and tires I can put on my car. It now has the stock wheels with BF Radial T/A's on it. Wondering when looking at wheels and tires how I determine what options are posibilities. Please explain the basics of how sizing works, eg. bolt pattern, backspacing, diameter/width. And then how tire sidewall height and the width fits in also. (The confusing part to me is couldnt I use a lo-pro tire with a larger wheel or vice versa?) Thanks in advance! :confused:


[Modified by DollaGreen, 11:26 PM 5/14/2002]
Reply
Old May 15, 2002 | 05:06 AM
  #2  
Rottenrob's Avatar
Rottenrob
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara California
Default Re: Wheel Options (DollaGreen)

TTT!! :cheers: :chevy :chevy
Reply
Old May 15, 2002 | 06:17 AM
  #3  
groovyjay's Avatar
groovyjay
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Default Re: Wheel Options (DollaGreen)

You can get wheels up to 20" diameter, but safest shot is to stick in the 17-18"ers, this is if you are looking to improve the handling of your car. If your car is more of a daily driver than weekend cruiser you might want to stick to 15 or 16 inch diameter and have more tirewall to help you through those speed bumps and curbs. I used to run 255/60/15 all around and in front this is about as wide as you can go with stock wheels. 295 wide tires at back are possible if you relocate the parking brake cable. I'm using 285/30/20 rear tires with 5.5" back spacing, but I have off set railing arms to give more room to the wheels. Stock backspacing is 4" so you might want to stick with that. There are many different styles of wheels out there and that is totally matter of your personal taste... :yesnod: :cheers:
Reply
Old May 15, 2002 | 09:45 AM
  #4  
DollaGreen's Avatar
DollaGreen
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha WI
Default Re: Wheel Options (DollaGreen)

Thanks Jay! Could someone go into more detail on how tire/wheel sizing works? Thanks.
Reply
Old May 15, 2002 | 01:16 PM
  #5  
Mike69@ECS's Avatar
0Mike69@ECS
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,607
Likes: 1
From: ECS Sales & Service Advisor
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Default Re: Wheel Options (DollaGreen)

Well there are a couple of things to consider... first is bolt pattern... http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/boltpatt.htm

Second would be the wheels Offset. http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/offset.htm
The stock ralleys have a 4 in offset I believe.

The third (at least as far as a corvette goes) is if they clear the caliper. The Mfg. should be able to help you determine if they will fit. Some wheels are cut differently, and will not clear. Your up the creek if they dont. :yesnod:

Lastly take into account the overall wheel/tire diamater. The Stock tires that came on your car were somewhere around 26, or 27 inches tall. If you move up to 16, 17 or even 18 inch rims you'll want to keep the overall size around the same height. Again Check with the mfg, or Tire Rack has charts on all the major brands of tires.

Other than that picking out what you like will be the hardest part~! Happy shopping! :cheers:


[Modified by Mike69, 12:16 PM 5/15/2002]
Reply
Old May 15, 2002 | 04:39 PM
  #6  
DollaGreen's Avatar
DollaGreen
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha WI
Default Re: Wheel Options (Mike69)

So what is the bolt pattern and the offset supposed to be on my car...and what is the largest overall height and width that will fit?

Acording to the tirerack website, they have no wheels or tires to match my car. WTF?


[Modified by DollaGreen, 2:42 PM 5/15/2002]
Reply
Old May 15, 2002 | 05:45 PM
  #7  
Todbo's Avatar
Todbo
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Dyersburg TN
Default Re: Wheel Options (DollaGreen)

If you can hold out for the oct issue of vette mag , they are supposed to have an article about wheel sizing for the sharks!
Reply
Old May 15, 2002 | 06:00 PM
  #8  
PrarieShark's Avatar
PrarieShark
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 0
From: The cure for the blues is eight cylinders roaring
Default Re: Wheel Options (Todbo)

Pirsonly if I was going to buy wheels and tires I would go to a local shop that sells nothing but wheels and tires or say Sears find what you like and have them test fit them to your car that way you can see if you realy like them.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Wheel Options

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:52 AM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE