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I have a 1994 coupe and I'm thinking about buying a new set of wheels. Right now it has the ZR1 chrome replicas.
Currently tires are stock size Nitto Front: 255/45R17 Rear: 285/40R17
Current wheels:
Wheel Size: 17x9.5 front & rear
Offset: 56mm (I think that's stock)
The new wheels they say fit the C4:
17x9.5 front & rear
Offset: 54mm
Bolt Pattern: 5x120.65
The stock C4 rear wheel width is 10.5" correct?
My question: Will the different offset and slightly narrower rear wheels from stock cause issues?
Thanks for the help.
Last edited by Barchetta; May 20, 2016 at 03:48 AM.
In a 94 stock base Vette, front wheels are 8.5" wide, rears are 9.5" wide, both have 56mm offset, putting 9.5" front and back with 54mm offset will have no issues.
My car has 255/45-17 front and rear, my opinion 255's are too narrow for my 9.5" rear wheels, I'm going to be getting 285's back on mine soon.
If your going 9.5" wheels all around 275 tires is very good size, and was stock on some C4 years that had 9.5" wheels front and rear.
My opinion 255's are too narrow for my 9.5" rear wheels, I'm going to be getting 285's back on mine soon.
That said ... Since my wheels are 9.5" wide all around do you think I should change the front 255 tires to a wider size? What issues does 255 with 9.5 cause if any?
Last edited by Barchetta; May 20, 2016 at 10:27 AM.
There was no C4 Corvette ever with a 10.5" wheel from GM.
Not to confuse your issue but you asked SO ..
If you have a 9.5 width ADVERTISED and you measure TOTAL WHEEL WIDTH with a tape measure - you will indeed measure some dimension very near 10.5 +/- something. The ADVERTISED WIDTH is nearly always cast into the wheel ... NEARLY!!
I can't say there would be problems with running 255 tires on 9.5" wheels, on mine I don't think they look good, the outside edge of the rim is very close to being the same as the outside of the tire maybe even a little past the outside of the tire, I'll take a picture when I get home tonight so you can see what I'm saying. They do work mine have been on for a number of years, hardly any miles, I just don't like to the look of them.
Mark
I generally agree that a 255 on a 9.5" looks a little small for the wheel.
However, there are some differences in tires of the same size. I had some Firestone 255's and some Sumitomo HTRZ 255 tires and they were almost an inch different in width. I ran the Sumitomo on some C5 Z06 wheels (9.5") and they were a little wider than the wheels (see picture below).
The size differences are specific to a brand model and size of the tires. For example the Sumitomo HTRZ in a 315/35/17 tire is smaller than most, but in a 255/45/17 is larger than most.
For my own choices I would put a 275/40/17 or 285/40/17 tire on 9.5" wheels.
For me, this subject is confusing. I have a 95 C4 Base with the typical sawblade wheels. I really like the look of the wheels on the 96 Collectors Edition. The CE wheels are the same Front & Rear Size and my 95. 8.5F & 9.5R w/56mm Offsett. I have not been able to find an original set used/new of 96 CE wheels in excellent condition. So, I have been searching through aftermarket 96 CE Style wheels. But, I can only find 9.5's with a 38mm offset.
I have searched all the typical Vette suppliers of parts & wheels.
Any recommendations where to purchase new condition (#1 Choice) or replica 96 CE style wheels 8.5's & 9.5's with a 56mm Offset??
I have a '96 CE. The wheels can also be all four 9.5" if a Z51 option car.
So you can use all four 9.5"s if you want a square setup.
Another option is the Camaro SS 17" x 9.0" wheels. they are A molds in a different size but look identical. You can use the 255 or 275 tires on them also. I have been seeing these for sale used quite often with prices pretty low even for a near perfect set. I just put a set of them on my CE with 275 tires.
I have not purchased aftermarket wheels like these, so sorry I can not offer a recommendation on them.
The tires on mine (255/45-17) all around, are Michelin Pilot tires. Wish they still made them in 285/40-17 so I could get those for the 9.5" rear wheels.
Mark
A question about new wheels
