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Came across a great deal on used set of 18" rally wheels. Vision American Muscle, part #55-8806GMML-6, size 18x8.50, 5x4.75 bolt pattern, 4.5" backspacing. Will these fit on my 1981 corvette without modifications? Reading thru what I can find online is very confusing. I know not everyone likes going to 18" wheels but mine isn't a numbers matching car, more of a weekend toy with. Any help would be appreciated!
These are 8.5" with a 4.5" backspace.
The outside to the fender will be the same. The inside to the frame/parking bracket will be 1/2" closer. You may need to relocate the bracket to the top of the arm but these should fit without it.
I think that you should be able to use those, but might find that you want a 1/4" spacer.
I run 18x9.5" (0 offset / 5.25" Backspacing) with 275/40/18 tires on all 4 corners, but have offset trailing arms and don't have to worry about the parking brake cable.
Those 18x8" wheels have 4.5" BS, which is a "0 offset" for that size.
Here's a comparison of my wheels/tires to the 18x8 with a 255/45/18 tire:
As you can seein the comparison, it would give you 0.4" more clearance than I have from the suspension (I only have 1/4" between tire & sway bar), but it would sit inward from the fender about 0.4" more than mine.
You can look at some of my older posts and get a better look at the fitment of mine, but here's a pic that might help:
So like I said at the beginning, I think they'll fit, but you might need a 1/4" spacer to clear the parking brake cable and/or to put the wheels out in the proper location relative to the fender lip.
Also keep in mind that you won't be looking directly at as much of the front tire in this same view, because the shape of your front fender and front bumper cover doesn't curl under ahead of the front tires the way that the older C3s do.
Those will look sweet! I ran into some fitment issues myself, with the longer springbolts I was using and with the end of my R&P hitting the tire. Had to set the car a tad higher to avoid having to cut the spring. So if you have any other mods, you may have to be careful and to a test fit first.
I put BOSS 338 wheels with 4.5" BS on my '80 and the tires rubbed on the frame (maybe due in part to Steeroids). Put on a set of 3/8" thick hub centric adapter-spacers in the front. That fixed the problem. I have a set left over is you're interested. Check out my post in C3 Parts.
Vision is the same brand of wheel I'm running on my '79: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1593358379
Here is what my receipt says:
Product Information: 4 (77241) Vision
18 X8.5 5-120.65 -6 DGMTML
Torque
They fit perfectly, no mods needed. If yours are the same backspacing as mine, you should be fine. I don't know what the conversion is from "18 X8.5 5-120.65 -6 DGMTML" to the actual backspacing figure, though...
Vision is the same brand of wheel I'm running on my '79: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1593358379
Here is what my receipt says:
Product Information: 4 (77241) Vision
18 X8.5 5-120.65 -6 DGMTML
Torque
They fit perfectly, no mods needed. If yours are the same backspacing as mine, you should be fine. I don't know what the conversion is from "18 X8.5 5-120.65 -6 DGMTML" to the actual backspacing figure, though...
Great info - those are the same as the OP is asking about; -6 offset on an 8.5" wide wheel is 4.51" backspace.
Last edited by Metalhead140; 10-29-2018 at 02:26 AM.
That size works well for me. The continentals in 255/45/18 grip better than the Cooper Cobra 275/60/15 tires they replaced. My '79 has a few mods (sig below) putting it around 380hp/430tq. I can do controlled street launches but still do burnouts. Manual trans.
Sorry everyone, need more advice (: Deal on the rally wheels feel thru. After looking at them in person, they had issues so I've decided to purchase a different new set. Vision American Muscle 142 Legend 5. Part #142-8861C-6, 18x8.5. 5x4.75, bs 4.5. Based on the info everyone provided I think these will fit.
If I wanted to get a little more rubber on the road on back tires, Part # 142-8961C0 18x9.5, 5x4.75, 5.25 bs. think these would fit with only parking brake cable modification? Car has 383 Stroker, approx 425hp. Runs good but nothing extreme. Would like to get a little better traction without breaking anything, hoping a little wider tire would help.
Sometimes I wish I had gone with a wider tire in the rear, but usually not. The compound of the 18" z-rated tires is much stickier than any S/T rated tires in traditional C3 sizes. I can break loose if I want to, and I know the tires will spin before any parts break. Lastly, I can rotate the tires.
Just me, though. A wider rear tire would look great!
Part # 142-8961C0 18x9.5, 5x4.75, 5.25 bs. think these would fit with only parking brake cable modification?
Mine fit. I have a 275/40 tire on my rear rims. The f/g mono spring ends are just slightly inside the rim but it's not an issue but my rear is raised a bit because I like that stance. If you want a low stance, not sure if it would become an issue. Neither rear sway bar links have any interference. Quite a few guys in here running the same setup.
10-26-2018, 12:06 PM
Will these 18"/4.5"bs fit without mods?
