17 wheel size question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 460
Likes: 15
From: Belgium /
17 wheel size question
I'm looking to replace my wheels by some 17 wheels.
Now I was looking at TT 17x8 with 4"Backspace, now the backspacing should be ok but now they have a offset of -11mm.
If I look at other wheels I see the 17x8 4"bs and 0 offset.
I searched the forum but find lot's of posts for the Back spacing but not for the offset.
Can somebody tell me what offset I need or can max get so the wheels/tires will fit under my stock wheel wells .
It's for a '75 with stock trailing arms and I'm goin to install t a VBP 360 composit spring.
Thanks
Now I was looking at TT 17x8 with 4"Backspace, now the backspacing should be ok but now they have a offset of -11mm.
If I look at other wheels I see the 17x8 4"bs and 0 offset.
I searched the forum but find lot's of posts for the Back spacing but not for the offset.
Can somebody tell me what offset I need or can max get so the wheels/tires will fit under my stock wheel wells .
It's for a '75 with stock trailing arms and I'm goin to install t a VBP 360 composit spring.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
The center part of the wheel is where you measure back spacing. Our c-3 calipers hang outboard of the axle wheel stud mating surface. So you have to buy wheels with caliper clearance.
tire widths require a certain rim size. You really need 9 inch to use 255/45/17.
I have front 9 inch with 4 inch bs and 4.5 bs rear 12 inch
tire widths require a certain rim size. You really need 9 inch to use 255/45/17.
I have front 9 inch with 4 inch bs and 4.5 bs rear 12 inch
Last edited by gkull; Jun 23, 2014 at 11:01 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
What's confusing you is that an 8" rim with 4" BS does not have 0 mm offset. The reason is that 8" is the width of the inner part of the rim where the tire is. BS is measured from the outside of the lip. 11 mm is the thickness of the lip.
So 17x8 with 4" BS is correct. If someone says they have an 8" rim with 4" BS and 0 offset they are mistaken.
So 17x8 with 4" BS is correct. If someone says they have an 8" rim with 4" BS and 0 offset they are mistaken.
Army Hoist Operator
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 836
Likes: 17
From: OK
My Vette has 17x8, 4" BS wheels with 255-17/45 BFG Comp 2s on the front and back with no problems.
4" BS on 8" rims is 0 offset.
As far as 8" wheels being too narrow for 255 tires, my car's stock wheels are 8" wide and came with 255 tires. My new tires' specs show 8-9.5" wheels.
4" BS on 8" rims is 0 offset.
As far as 8" wheels being too narrow for 255 tires, my car's stock wheels are 8" wide and came with 255 tires. My new tires' specs show 8-9.5" wheels.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I did not explain it very well. Maybe this will help. As to 8 inch wheels they are the minimum and the tire side walls would slope in because the tire tread width is wider. So the tire is not being used to its potential. Smarter people use the correct rim widths.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Would the same wheel with 4.5BS and 0 offset fit the same ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 1,382
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
If you want the "original" look, these look interesting. They have a 4.5" BS, so a 1/2" spacer would be required.
https://www.yearone.com/Catalog/whee...-wheels-.-cast
https://www.yearone.com/Catalog/whee...-wheels-.-cast
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
If you want the "original" look, these look interesting. They have a 4.5" BS, so a 1/2" spacer would be required.
https://www.yearone.com/Catalog/whee...-wheels-.-cast
https://www.yearone.com/Catalog/whee...-wheels-.-cast
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 460
Likes: 15
From: Belgium /
I found this site which makes it very easy to check the sizes
http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp
http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Scott
Army Hoist Operator
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 836
Likes: 17
From: OK
And, not being smart, when I want to use all of the traction I switch to 17×9.5 wheels with 275/45-17 race tires (same size my '93 C4 came with). I don't like chewing up the street tires, not being smart and all.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I have had SLP Hyperblack C4 ZR-1 type rims for years on my C3-17 X8-255/45/17 ZR's-fit perfectly. I stole them from MidAmerica on closeout for $600 for 4 with free shipping! Could not take the C3 aluminum 15 inch rims any longer with zero performance tire in the 15 inch size. One of the best changes i have ever made to the car!