!981 Wheels

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Mar 8, 2012 | 04:41 PM

c3sleeper

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From: Medford OK

!981 Wheels

Im wanting to install aftermarket wheels on my 1981 and was shocked by the limited number of wheels which without spacers will fit. I found the wheels by Sport Muscle and was wondering what I would have to do to make these fit.
Front
Size: 18x8.5
Offset: +56mm
Backspacing: 6.92"
Bolt Pattern: 5-475
Rec. Tire Size: 265/35-18

Rear
Size: 19x10
Offset: +56mm
Backspacing: 7.67"
Bolt Pattern: 5-475
Rec. Tire Size: 285/35-19

Mar 8, 2012 | 05:42 PM

nate99

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From: coffee

That's a lot of backspacing. You could probably make them work if you think about an 8" wheel with 4" of backspacing and then get adaptors to put the center line/hub mount in the right spot.

Mar 8, 2012 | 10:50 PM

texasbaehr

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From: Montgomery TX

The stock wheel has 4" BS. With 18" wheels you can use 4.5 BS without and clearance issues. With the 18" wheels the front loweer ball joint will be inside the wheel so the extra 1/2 will not cause any interference. more than that you will start rubbing other parts in front. In back 4.5 is about the max with 275 tires before you start rubbing on the stock trailing arms. With 18" on the back the parking brake cable bracket is inside the wheel and will not rub.
Spacers will require longer wheel studs which is a dangerous move especially if you have a high HP engine. Use of adapters is also not recomended since it throws off the geometry of the suspension and can cause some quirky (read dangerous) handling issues.
There is a decent selection of 17" and 18" wheels out there with 4" and 4.5" BS. Stick with 8" width on the front, you can go 9" on the back but any wider will require more BS and offset Trailing arms or the tires will be sticking out past the body.

Mar 8, 2012 | 11:50 PM

MN80Vette

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From: Columbus MN

I have 18x8 wheels with 4.5" BS on my '80. I also have Steeroids R&P steering. The front 255/45-18 tires rub juusssttt a little bit without spacers. I added 1/4" spacers to fix that problem and push the wheels out towards the lip of the fender a bit.

As Nate99 said, you should find some spacers that align the aftermarket wheels with the hub like all stock Corvette wheels.

You will need different lug nuts too. Standard conical lug nuts will work fine if you don't use spacers, but you should use extended lug nuts to grab more threads. The rule of thumb is that the threads grabbed by the lug nuts need to be at least the diameter of the lug.

Mar 24, 2012 | 12:36 AM

c3sleeper

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From: Medford OK

Eibach now makes a product called the pro spacer which seems like more of a hub extender than wheel spacer. The piece bolts down to the stock hub and studs then has its own studs that you then bolt your wheel on. Would this be a more desirable method?

Mar 24, 2012 | 01:08 AM

c3sleeper

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From: Medford OK

I was also considering the American Racing VN801. Would it be possible to fit the 20x8.5 with 5mm offset? If not what spacer would I need to use. Thanks in advance.

Mar 24, 2012 | 10:08 AM

85camarocrazee

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Im running a set similar to Eibach ones mentioned above. Mine were made by Skulte however and are on an 86 Camaro with exiensive mods. Never had an issue with them. Car has even seen some road course duty and passed tech easily.