Corvette Wheels
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Corvette Wheels
So i'm encountering issues and I see you guys here have found ways around it.
So i have a set of wheels with the same bolt pattern as my C3 Vette (1979) so i go to swap it and it doesnt fit, but not because of the bolt pattern but the big ol ugly thing in the middle hitting the wheel. The stock rim has a larger opening in the middle allowing the wheel to clear and the bolts to go through into the wheel.
So I saw some of you have purchased wheels spacers.
What did you purchase? Where?
Im not very experienced with this car stuff. I'm more of the guy who sees someone do it once and can repeat the steps without help but im not very knowledgable with this stuff.
I have stock rims from a 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo that i attempted to put on the vette because theyre much nicer but the middle piece is too small.
So i have a set of wheels with the same bolt pattern as my C3 Vette (1979) so i go to swap it and it doesnt fit, but not because of the bolt pattern but the big ol ugly thing in the middle hitting the wheel. The stock rim has a larger opening in the middle allowing the wheel to clear and the bolts to go through into the wheel.
So I saw some of you have purchased wheels spacers.
What did you purchase? Where?
Im not very experienced with this car stuff. I'm more of the guy who sees someone do it once and can repeat the steps without help but im not very knowledgable with this stuff.
I have stock rims from a 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo that i attempted to put on the vette because theyre much nicer but the middle piece is too small.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,596
Likes: 3,082
From: Shamong, NJ
The Gallardo wheels are negative offset, while the Corvette's suspension is designed for what is basically a zero offset wheel. Unless I'm missing something here, I'd think you would need a spacer at least 4 inches thick, to compensate for the wheel's negative offset???????
Not to hijack this thread, but hows your vintage racer build coming along Pop?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,737
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
A machine shop can open the bore more, but before you go to that expense make sure the offset works.
You can also see if http://www.motorsport-tech.com/ can make a custom hub that fits both bore sizes.
You can also see if http://www.motorsport-tech.com/ can make a custom hub that fits both bore sizes.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,600
Likes: 2,540
there is absolutely no measurements spec of a Lamborghini wheel that matches a Corvette.
bolt pattern Chevrolet 5x120.6 Lamborghini 5 -112
backspacing Chevrolet 4" Lamborghini 6" to 8"
offset Chevrolet approx. 0 to -11mm Lamborghini 32mm to 42mm
bolt pattern Chevrolet 5x120.6 Lamborghini 5 -112
backspacing Chevrolet 4" Lamborghini 6" to 8"
offset Chevrolet approx. 0 to -11mm Lamborghini 32mm to 42mm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 1,231
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
You could run or have made an adapter/spacer to change the offset and bolt pattern. Could be done.
Vintage race car is shaping up well, however slowly. Working on roll cage now. Engine runs, drive train done, suspension together, fuel cell done. Still hoping to race Pittsburgh Grand Prix in July.
Vintage race car is shaping up well, however slowly. Working on roll cage now. Engine runs, drive train done, suspension together, fuel cell done. Still hoping to race Pittsburgh Grand Prix in July.
Last edited by Pop Chevy; Apr 11, 2017 at 12:54 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
So i'm encountering issues and I see you guys here have found ways around it.
So i have a set of wheels with the same bolt pattern as my C3 Vette (1979) so i go to swap it and it doesnt fit, but not because of the bolt pattern but the big ol ugly thing in the middle hitting the wheel. The stock rim has a larger opening in the middle allowing the wheel to clear and the bolts to go through into the wheel.
So I saw some of you have purchased wheels spacers.
What did you purchase? Where?
Im not very experienced with this car stuff. I'm more of the guy who sees someone do it once and can repeat the steps without help but im not very knowledgable with this stuff.
I have stock rims from a 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo that i attempted to put on the vette because theyre much nicer but the middle piece is too small.
So i have a set of wheels with the same bolt pattern as my C3 Vette (1979) so i go to swap it and it doesnt fit, but not because of the bolt pattern but the big ol ugly thing in the middle hitting the wheel. The stock rim has a larger opening in the middle allowing the wheel to clear and the bolts to go through into the wheel.
So I saw some of you have purchased wheels spacers.
What did you purchase? Where?
Im not very experienced with this car stuff. I'm more of the guy who sees someone do it once and can repeat the steps without help but im not very knowledgable with this stuff.
I have stock rims from a 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo that i attempted to put on the vette because theyre much nicer but the middle piece is too small.
You potentially have two issues here. If the wheels you're trying to use have the same bolt pattern as the Corvette, the C-3 Corvettes have a very large profile brake caliper, so you might not be able to get the wheel on far enough to see if the centerbore of the wheel goes over the hub.
And secondly, even if the centerbore of the wheel would fit over the hub, the calipers will probably hit the inside of the wheel's center section.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
anyway I want to get new rims that don't require the middle of the wheel to be opened.
i saw other c3 owners added wheel spacers to cover the gap between the hub and the middle that hits the wheel. Sorry I'm not too experienced trying to explain as best as I can.