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I have an 86 coupe. Z 51. Been looking for new wheels to go with my new , repainted stock color vette. I cant find any except stock and I dont want that. dont want the fisk either. I didnt buy my vette to be like everyone else, including other vettes. Seems all I can find that I like ae 18 inch/ 40 mm offset. I dont mind going to 17 inch and just not sure how 18s would look. Plus, every now and then I like to take a 1,440 foot run and am concerened about (less) traction issues. Any ideas? Thanks. Oh, I like the ones with spokes and they dont have to be Z06 ones, I do like the spider type.
Last edited by ghoastrider1; 03-16-2019 at 11:12 AM.
Have you looked at this web site? https://www.oewheelsllc.com/
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Sorry. They don't show 1986. I had been looking there for my 96 model.
Last edited by car addict; 03-16-2019 at 11:27 AM.
Reason: Stupidity
Have you looked at: http://www.streetdreams.org/wheel/ri...Corvette-C4/1/
IIRC that's where I bought the rims for my 86. I ended up getting 9.5x18 40 backspace rims and 255x40zr18 tires so the new one fit like the originals did. I'm happy with what I ended up getting. When looking for rims, insure they actually can get them before buying tires. I had a couple of places that took my order then came back a couple of days later saying they couldn't get them after all.
When I bought my rims and tires, 18" tires were a whole lot more available both in manufacturers and style than either 16" or 17". The rims where the hardest part to find as I wanted the right offset so I didn't have to use spacers.
I still have one of the boxes somewhere so I can get that info if you're interested in the manufacturer etc.
How about a 17X9 1/2" Revolution 3-Piece Wheel that I ran on my Ruby when I autocrossed it. You can have the centers powdwer coated to any color you like. Right now, all four wheels are black.
Here's the info on the rims and tires I bought. Vendor for the rims is http://www.streetdreams.org/wheel/ri...Corvette-C4/1/
I found I could buy the same rims through this site and it was about $50 less per rim than if I had bought them directly from the vendor website.
I bought them about 2 years ago so the numbers aren't current. Originally I was interested in the gray finish but they were unavailable so I went with the chrome.
The rims a repro C6 Z06, part number C6Z0590C40/1089540231 18x9.5" 40 backspace. Brand is 'FactoryReproductions" out of Chino, Calif.
Tires are BFG G-Force 255x40zr18 AS I picked up at Discount tire.
I can't swear on the rim price but IIRC it was around $200 ea. I did pick up different lug nuts (chrome) to go with the rims off Ebay. Never tried the oem lug nuts so I don't know if they will fit or not. The ones I bought take a special set that require a unique socket to get them off and standard 6 and 12 point sockets won't fit them. Mine came with 2 sockets, one for the car when I go out and the other stays on the parts shelf.
They fit like a glove, exactly as the oem set did in offset, width and diameter so even the speedometer was unchanged, no rubbing, no problems. I wash and wax them every time I do the car and the chrome is still perfect. No handling or ride issues encountered after 2 years. My brakes etc are oem and there are no issues with clearance on the replacement rims and tires on the car.
Now the things I checked and a warning. I wanted to insure the tire pressure was right once installed (due to change in size of tires) so I used the chalk method. Take some big chalk (like kids draw on the sidewalk with) and put a line about 1" wide across the full width of the tread then drive the car for about a 1/2 to a mile. Now check the chalk remaining on each of the treads, you want it even across the full width of the tread. If the center is visible but not on the edges, your pressure is light. If gone from the middle but not on the edge, you have too much pressure. IIRC I think I ended up with 32 pounds in the front and 34 in back but the cars in storage so you'll have to check yourself.
Now the warning. The center caps are plastic with 5 tabs on it that extend up and hook onto the rim, inside the cap is a star shaped spring. You need to pull the caps to mount the tires and that's where the issue can happen. If you just try pushing the cap off you can break one or more of those tabs DAMHIK. Take a wire coat hanger or heavy wire and make a hook. From the back side of the rim, reach in and snag the spring and it will pull right out and now the cap will pop off easily without damage. Put the spring back in the cap (there is a groove in it IIRC) for when you put the cap back on. Replacement center caps are available from the vendor but they're about $20 ea IIRC and you do not get the Corvette logo with the replacement so be careful.
My car is a cruiser, so it's only street driven plus some cruises on curvey highways and it handles great. I don't do any track racing so I have no experience with that. That pretty much sums it up, hope it helps.
On a side note, when I was looking I considered 17" rims also. Thing was when I looked at tire availability it seemed like 17" were going the same as 16", limited availability whereas 18" were extremely plentiful. I wanted something that wouldn't have to be replaced the next time I needed tires so I went with the 18's.
03-16-2019, 11:10 AM
want new wheels.
