sissond

Our new '96 base Vette needs new rear tires. When we got the car the front tires (Kuhmo Ecsta's) were about a year old but the rear were very old and dry-rotted (and now have a huge leak from a nail). We've got stock rims (17x8.5 & 17x9.5) and the clear-coat is flaking off 60% of the surface and they have bad road-rash. The metallic polo green car also has the rear grand sport fender flares bolted on. The stock rear 9.5" wheel (with 275-40 tires) looks ridiculous with the fender flares. I would love to stick ZR-1 wheels on there to fill the rear better, but I have a limited budget of about $1,200 for wheels, tires, shipping, mouniting, etc.

If I could find wheels that had 17x8.5 fronts, I could re-use the front tires saving roughly $330-350. I'm just having a hard time finding sets of wheels that between width and offset will actually add an significant outer width rather than just eating up inner clearance.

According to online calculators, the 17x11 - 36mm offset rims will stick out about an inch further and the inner clearance should be about the same. Unfortunately, they don't have 17x8.5 fronts requiring me to buy 2 new front tires to go with it.

Please help! My head's spinning and my wife's demanding action because she's tired of not driving her car for the last few weeks since the puncture in the rear.

1. What's the most inner clearance I can lose in the rear versus stock (17x9.5 - 54+)? I can't tell from peeking my head under the car and feeling around today. It seems like it would be substantial.

2. Any recommendations for wheels that would meet my criteria? I'll consider anything, colors, styles, and size (sets that would include a 17x 8.5 front).

WVZR-1

You don't want 36mm offset 11" for a base car in '96. You want 50mm offset which is what the GS cars had for rears in '96. They look good with the flares - just check for images of "1996 Corvette Grand Sport" - "Google" is your friend for the images.

I won't remark on the rest of your situation but I would think your money should get you tires and wheels if you're looking for 5-spoke replicas of the C4 factory wheel.

sissond

Thanks for the heads up. I was looking at a Corvette Central web page with an offset calculator and a list of factory offsets. The GS is right below the ZR-1 and I was looking at the wrong line. So, the inner clearance on the 11" GS wheel loses 15mm. I can expect at least that to be okay. How much further can I go safely?

sissond

I'm also thinking that I might not want 8.5 wide on the front with 11 in the back handling wise. Any thoughts on that?

If I can't find something in my budget, I might just get some new 17x9.5 rear tires for now that could become front tires with ZR-1 rims. If I do that should I get stock GS front 275-40-17 or stock base model rear 285-40-17? Would the 285 rub on the front?

Can you tell I'm having a hard time being decisive. With all the other stuff going on at home and work, I wish the wife took care of this herself.

Kmcoldcars

No, I do not think you would be happy with the results.
I put C5 size Z06 replicas on my 1992. They fit perfectly with no spacers.

IAFF alumni

These are ZR1 spec A-mold replicas in polished aluminum from CF vendor DocZ.
The fronts are 17x9.5" with 275-40 Nitto NT05's
The rears are 17x12" with 315-35 Nitto NT05's

Check the vendor forum for DocZ.
My wheels came delivered with the tires mounted and balanced.
All I needed to do was to bolt them on.

routeman007

"CF vendor DocZ has got something for everybody. Bought from him before and service was fast and professional. Looking forward to getting new wheels for my '96 LT1 coupe from him soon. Post pics of your decision!"


007

sissond

Well that is just what I'm looking for! I also like the black with the machined lip. I'll have to send a PM to see if this is possible in my price range.

MyOtherCar

Pretty sure your 96 takes 9.5" on the front and with the GS, they had 11" rears on the coupe, 9.5" on the converts.

Re the fender flares: not all 315's are the same footprint width, that is, one brand may fit under the flares and another may stick out a bit.

Get off here with good information but take it to your nearest Corvette club and check with some of the owners and see the cars in person. It'll help you immeasurably

sissond

PM sent