Problems with wheel adapters?
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 62
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From: Bloomington IL.
Problems with wheel adapters?
I have an 86 that I am planning on putting zr1 style wheels on with the 56mm offset and using wheel adapters. The reason is that you can get a better price on the 88-96 wheels and then, if I ever need to sell them, I have a larger audience of people that could use them.
Are there any problem with using these wheel spacer?
Are there any problem with using these wheel spacer?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
There are spacers and adapters. Don't confuse the two.
Adapters are plates that mount in place of the wheels. They have their own studs. The reliability of the adapter is directly related to the thickness and strength of the adapter plate. Corvette Mike's used to sell adapters until a customer had one break. If they break, the wheel falls off. Thicker adapters are stronger and are less likely to do this. I've heard 3/4" is minimum, though 1" to 1 1/4" is better.
summitracingdotcom also sells longer studs. I believe they carry 3/4" overlength, and 1 1/2" overlength. These long studs are rated at 190,000 psi!!!! Combine these with billet hub-centric spacers and you're probably 99.999% safe. You can get these custom-made for about $50/spacer.
I can't speak to the safety factor of adapters, but if I decide to use one or the other, I'm picking spacers with "racing studs".
Also, my tire shop says they won't touch a car (for rotate, balance, etc) that has either spacers or adapters on them. So you might find yourself with a little more hassle at rotation time.
gp
Adapters are plates that mount in place of the wheels. They have their own studs. The reliability of the adapter is directly related to the thickness and strength of the adapter plate. Corvette Mike's used to sell adapters until a customer had one break. If they break, the wheel falls off. Thicker adapters are stronger and are less likely to do this. I've heard 3/4" is minimum, though 1" to 1 1/4" is better.
summitracingdotcom also sells longer studs. I believe they carry 3/4" overlength, and 1 1/2" overlength. These long studs are rated at 190,000 psi!!!! Combine these with billet hub-centric spacers and you're probably 99.999% safe. You can get these custom-made for about $50/spacer.
I can't speak to the safety factor of adapters, but if I decide to use one or the other, I'm picking spacers with "racing studs".
Also, my tire shop says they won't touch a car (for rotate, balance, etc) that has either spacers or adapters on them. So you might find yourself with a little more hassle at rotation time.
gp
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Feb 22, 2005 at 12:29 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,139
Likes: 1,728
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
No real problem during normal driving.
However, in racing, they can become a weak link. I would only get the VetteBrakes part.
However, in racing, they can become a weak link. I would only get the VetteBrakes part.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
Originally Posted by boceltics17
I have an 86 that I am planning on putting zr1 style wheels on with the 56mm offset and using wheel adapters. The reason is that you can get a better price on the 88-96 wheels and then, if I ever need to sell them, I have a larger audience of people that could use them.
Are there any problem with using these wheel spacer?
Are there any problem with using these wheel spacer?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
I've had adapters on my '87 for over 4 years. Besides being basically a daily driver, she's been on several long trips, to include one from Salt Lake City, UT to Bowling Green. Been to the strip a couple of times and had the car well into triple digits on more then one occassion. I've had absolutely no problem with them.
However, if I was a regular at the track, I'd probably take them off and use an offset that fit the car. Of course, I'd also have different tires and a few other mods I don't currently have.
However, if I was a regular at the track, I'd probably take them off and use an offset that fit the car. Of course, I'd also have different tires and a few other mods I don't currently have.
