C5 wheels on a C4?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
Always state the year of your car and other pertinent information about it. The C4 was made for 13 years, with 5 different engines, at least 4 different transmissions, and various body and interior changes. My 1991 and 1992 look the same from the outside, but they have different engines, transmissions, and the dashes and some of the electronics are different. The 1992 has ASR, which the 1991 does not.
To answer your question, I believe C5 wheels are a direct fit for 1989 and up Corvettes. The earlier ones will require spacers. (I may be wrong on the year change - it may be 1987). Someone will correct me if I am wrong.
To answer your question, I believe C5 wheels are a direct fit for 1989 and up Corvettes. The earlier ones will require spacers. (I may be wrong on the year change - it may be 1987). Someone will correct me if I am wrong.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
The change was made in '88 to the suspension that uses the later offset wheels.Although I don't care for the C5 wagon wheels, I tried them on my 94.
Here is a picture to show what they looked like for sizes and how well they fill out the wheel wells.
I didn't like them. They looked ok, but the 17" front and 18" rear made the car feel too high in back. I also had the stock C5 Goodyear run flats on them and they are very stiff so I didn't like the ride either. The tires were the stock C5 sizes 245/45/17 front and 275/40/18 rear.
I went back to C4 wheels.
Good luck with your choice.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 138
Likes: 3
From: Estero FL
I am also looking to put C5 wheels on my 1989 convertible. I am looking at the chrome ones. But I also want to put the MGP red caliper covers set from Ecklers behind them. Will these new C5 wheels that have a 54mm offset still leave enough clearence for the covers?
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
If you're looking at used C5 wheels you need to inspect them quite closely - there were issues with "fractures"!
You actually need to be concerned with the offsets and widths of wheels you buy if used. A C5 appearing wheel could be a "replica" and not even a C5 offset. The offsets and sizes are cast on the wheel back-side of most. If you're looking at used "assume nothing" - get the information and come back with the information.
There's no such thing as "they'll all fit"!
You actually need to be concerned with the offsets and widths of wheels you buy if used. A C5 appearing wheel could be a "replica" and not even a C5 offset. The offsets and sizes are cast on the wheel back-side of most. If you're looking at used "assume nothing" - get the information and come back with the information.
There's no such thing as "they'll all fit"!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Mar 21, 2014 at 09:36 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
Do a search in the C5 section for cracked, broken wheels or wheel fractures. There should be many. Don't pass up what might be a good buy. Spend the time to check them out before spending the money though.