1996 LT4 Base model
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MN
1996 LT4 Base model
Hello everyone,
I have a 1996 LT4 base model. I have come upon a set of shelby series one rims that i'd love to put on the car.
My question is will they fit correctly? I have checked offset and backspacing.
Seems like there would be fitment issues, but would like a second opinion.
Thanks,
BW
I have a 1996 LT4 base model. I have come upon a set of shelby series one rims that i'd love to put on the car.
My question is will they fit correctly? I have checked offset and backspacing.
Seems like there would be fitment issues, but would like a second opinion.
Thanks,
BW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,091
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
You have check offset and backspacing, so what are those numbers? What is the width of these wheels?
If this is a complete set off a Shelby, then my memory is that they are 18x10 et46 front and 18x12 et28 rear. The fronts would fit your car front or rear with 275/35 or 285/35 tires. With 7.6" backspacing, the rears will clear the inside just fine, even with 335/30 tires. But they are going to stick out of the fenders about an inch on any regular-bodied C4, and there's no way around that. GS flares will sort of cover them, but you'll have to run with a high ride height or else they'll hit the top of the fender arch when the suspension compresses over bumps. You could install real flares where you cut the stock fender opening wider, but almost nobody is willing to do that work. They will work great on a ZR1, though.
If this is a complete set off a Shelby, then my memory is that they are 18x10 et46 front and 18x12 et28 rear. The fronts would fit your car front or rear with 275/35 or 285/35 tires. With 7.6" backspacing, the rears will clear the inside just fine, even with 335/30 tires. But they are going to stick out of the fenders about an inch on any regular-bodied C4, and there's no way around that. GS flares will sort of cover them, but you'll have to run with a high ride height or else they'll hit the top of the fender arch when the suspension compresses over bumps. You could install real flares where you cut the stock fender opening wider, but almost nobody is willing to do that work. They will work great on a ZR1, though.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MN
You have check offset and backspacing, so what are those numbers? What is the width of these wheels?
If this is a complete set off a Shelby, then my memory is that they are 18x10 et46 front and 18x12 et28 rear. The fronts would fit your car front or rear with 275/35 or 285/35 tires. With 7.6" backspacing, the rears will clear the inside just fine, even with 335/30 tires. But they are going to stick out of the fenders about an inch on any regular-bodied C4, and there's no way around that. GS flares will sort of cover them, but you'll have to run with a high ride height or else they'll hit the top of the fender arch when the suspension compresses over bumps. You could install real flares where you cut the stock fender opening wider, but almost nobody is willing to do that work. They will work great on a ZR1, though.
If this is a complete set off a Shelby, then my memory is that they are 18x10 et46 front and 18x12 et28 rear. The fronts would fit your car front or rear with 275/35 or 285/35 tires. With 7.6" backspacing, the rears will clear the inside just fine, even with 335/30 tires. But they are going to stick out of the fenders about an inch on any regular-bodied C4, and there's no way around that. GS flares will sort of cover them, but you'll have to run with a high ride height or else they'll hit the top of the fender arch when the suspension compresses over bumps. You could install real flares where you cut the stock fender opening wider, but almost nobody is willing to do that work. They will work great on a ZR1, though.
-BW
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 610
From: Orange, CA
Just as a note, the fender flares the ‘96 Grand Sport used were cosmetic only, designed to let the wider tires comply with the “no rooster tails” law present in several jurisdictions. They do not modify the actual fender wells in any way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,091
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 68
Likes: 14
From: Motor City
There is always someone who knows a better answer, i.e., knows everything, here.
But pretty sure the LT4 is a major option and therefore makes it NOT a base model.
That said, use factory rims. In fact, use factory everything. Call me when you want to sell it.
But pretty sure the LT4 is a major option and therefore makes it NOT a base model.
That said, use factory rims. In fact, use factory everything. Call me when you want to sell it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 610
From: Orange, CA
You are incorrect. LT4 is automatically selected when selecting MN6 (6-speed manual transmission) in 1996. So you can have a base model (not Collector's Edition, not Grand Sport) with an LT4, and in fact plenty of those exist.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,091
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
Right. In fact, mine was a base model 96 LT4. One interesting benefit of these seems to be that they weight significantly less than the 3300lb curb weight that typically gets tossed around for this year model. The base seats in my car, for example, were lighter than the race seats the previous owner had in it. It had the a/c compression and condenser and AIR pump removed, but was otherwise full interior; and it weighed a little under 3000lbs!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo