Wheel size and offset questions!!!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Outer Banks NC FIRST IN FLIGHT
Wheel size and offset questions!!!!!
I know this subject has probably been done to death in the past, but I am just now getting around to changing out my wheels. I have a 95 LT1 with the standard 17x9.5 rear and 17x8.5 front saw tooth type wheels. I don't know what the offset of these wheels are.
What are the widest and tallest wheels I can put on this car and what type of offset will I need.
What I don't want is a set of wheels and tires that stick out past the fender wells or reduce performance.
Examples would be:
ZR1 type
Rear wheels 17 x 11 / 50mm offset
Front wheels 17 x 9.5 / 56mm offset
Front wheel 17" x 8.5 / 56mm offset
Rear wheel 18" x 9.5 / 65mm
Front wheel 17" x 8.5 / 56mm
Rear wheel 18" x 9.5 / 58mm
Front wheel 17 x 9.5 / 56mm
Rear wheel 17 x 9.5 / 56mm
What I don't want is a set of wheels and tires that stick out past the fender wells or reduce performance.
Also has anyone ever purchased wheels from O E Wheel Distributors on Ebay?
Thanks!
What are the widest and tallest wheels I can put on this car and what type of offset will I need.
What I don't want is a set of wheels and tires that stick out past the fender wells or reduce performance.
Examples would be:
ZR1 type
Rear wheels 17 x 11 / 50mm offset
Front wheels 17 x 9.5 / 56mm offset
Front wheel 17" x 8.5 / 56mm offset
Rear wheel 18" x 9.5 / 65mm
Front wheel 17" x 8.5 / 56mm
Rear wheel 18" x 9.5 / 58mm
Front wheel 17 x 9.5 / 56mm
Rear wheel 17 x 9.5 / 56mm
What I don't want is a set of wheels and tires that stick out past the fender wells or reduce performance.
Also has anyone ever purchased wheels from O E Wheel Distributors on Ebay?
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 68
From: Hewitt NJ
Your stock wheels have a 56mm offset. You can put 17x9.5" w/ 56mm offset all around. BTW the 17x11" w/ 50mm offset will stick out 1/4"-1/2" in the back.
I have Z06 wheels on my car and they fit perfect w/o sticking out. 17x9.5" w/ 275/40/17 up front and 18x10.5" w/ 295/35/18 out back. Here's a pic:
I have Z06 wheels on my car and they fit perfect w/o sticking out. 17x9.5" w/ 275/40/17 up front and 18x10.5" w/ 295/35/18 out back. Here's a pic:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 68
From: Hewitt NJ
Originally Posted by Kizmo
The Z06 wheels look good. What offset do you have on the front and back?
Thanks
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 473
Likes: 8
From: Shreveport LA
I was able to get 18x11.5's under the back of mine with a couple of mods (also 18x10 up front). It required a new bracket for the trailing arms forward mounting point. I also had to grind the extra material off of the brake line bracket. Otherwise, they now fit perfectly with no rubbing, etc.
Last edited by ROME; Dec 4, 2005 at 11:50 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,883
Likes: 2
From: www.corvetteflorida.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by ROME
I was able to get 18x11.5's under the back of mine with a couple of mods (also 18x10 up front). It required a new bracket for the trailing arms forward mounting point. I also had to grind the extra material off of the brake line bracket. Otherwise, they now fit perfectly with no rubbing, etc.
What size tires front/rear? How does it handle?Any more pics from other angles?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Here is a good link to keep for what wheeel is on what C4
http://web.telia.com/~u60113743/corvette_wheels/
I have got a set of OE wheels before and thought the quality was good and the price was great. Check out TomZWheels they are a suporting vendor and have similar deals
http://web.telia.com/~u60113743/corvette_wheels/
I have got a set of OE wheels before and thought the quality was good and the price was great. Check out TomZWheels they are a suporting vendor and have similar deals
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 233
Likes: 3
From: Tacoma WA
Originally Posted by FD2BLK
Here is a good link to keep for what wheeel is on what C4
http://web.telia.com/~u60113743/corvette_wheels/
I have got a set of OE wheels before and thought the quality was good and the price was great. Check out TomZWheels they are a suporting vendor and have similar deals
http://web.telia.com/~u60113743/corvette_wheels/
I have got a set of OE wheels before and thought the quality was good and the price was great. Check out TomZWheels they are a suporting vendor and have similar deals
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
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
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 473
Likes: 8
From: Shreveport LA
Looked at the pic on line...thats fantastic looking! What size tires front/rear? How does it handle?
It handles remarkably. The previous owner installed all the Z51 bits, as well as Koni adjustable shocks. I installed a Camber-Brace, polyurethane & Del-A-Lum bushings all the way around, and this wheel/tire setup. The car has been lowered about 1" on all four corners as well. As it is set up now, everyday driving is fairly rough along these questionable Louisiana roads, but the cornering is out of sight. As an example, I take the 90 degree turn into my neighborhood each day from the main 4-lane at about 35mph and the car handles like a go-kart.
Very little body roll at all, the tires remain planted flat, and the car remains firmly in my control with very little tire screech. 35mph doesn't sound line much, but for a turn like that it's a gut twister and a sure way to make an unsuspecting passenger wet their pants. 
I'm running Michelin Pilot Sports which have been an awsome tire compared to the "cueball-hard" BFGoodrich Comp T/A's I had on there before. I'll probably get the Goodyear Eagle F1's next time for maximum stick. My next suspension mod is the R-D Racing S/T Frame Support (roll cage) - hopefully in the next couple of months.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
Originally Posted by Admiral94
Your stock wheels have a 56mm offset. You can put 17x9.5" w/ 56mm offset all around. BTW the 17x11" w/ 50mm offset will stick out 1/4"-1/2" in the back.
I have Z06 wheels on my car and they fit perfect w/o sticking out. 17x9.5" w/ 275/40/17 up front and 18x10.5" w/ 295/35/18 out back. Here's a pic:
I have Z06 wheels on my car and they fit perfect w/o sticking out. 17x9.5" w/ 275/40/17 up front and 18x10.5" w/ 295/35/18 out back. Here's a pic:
lookin good.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Apopka Florida
Im pretty sure those are CCW classics.
Anyway, if I put 87 spindles on my 96, it will allow me to tuck the GS 17x11 50mm offset wheels better, correct?
I thinking about doing 1 of 2 things.
a. getting GS 17x9 56mm, 17x11 50mm, and trying to tuck them so I don't have them sticking out too far. (i hate the flare)
b. Putting my rear 17x9.5 sawblades on front and putting 93 ZR1 sawblades 17x11 36mm, on the rear, and tucking them with the 87 spindles.
I want to do b., but I need to make sure it will work.
Anyway, if I put 87 spindles on my 96, it will allow me to tuck the GS 17x11 50mm offset wheels better, correct?
I thinking about doing 1 of 2 things.
a. getting GS 17x9 56mm, 17x11 50mm, and trying to tuck them so I don't have them sticking out too far. (i hate the flare)
b. Putting my rear 17x9.5 sawblades on front and putting 93 ZR1 sawblades 17x11 36mm, on the rear, and tucking them with the 87 spindles.
I want to do b., but I need to make sure it will work.
Last edited by 96Eric; Dec 8, 2005 at 12:44 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 473
Likes: 8
From: Shreveport LA
Thanks
Like 96Eric said, they are CCW's and they are polished aluminum. CCW also makes a 5-spoke wheel now if that's more to your taste,though they are quite a bit more pricey. The one's I'm running now were by far the best deal available on an 18" wheel anywhere, and John at CCW sold them to me with tires mounted, balanced, and ready to roll right off the UPS truck.
I located the full specs for my current wheel tire setup for anyone interested:
Wheels:
Rear: 18x11.5 (offset - 8.25” of backspace)
Front: 18x10 (offset - 8.5” of backspace)
Tires:
Rear: 335/30/18
Front: 275/35/18
Here's a pic of my previous wheels. These were the 17x11 / 17x9 standard GS 5-spokes with (I believe) the 56mm offset. Quite a few guys run that setup and they fit perfectly with absolutely no rubbing even with the car lowered 1" all around.
Like 96Eric said, they are CCW's and they are polished aluminum. CCW also makes a 5-spoke wheel now if that's more to your taste,though they are quite a bit more pricey. The one's I'm running now were by far the best deal available on an 18" wheel anywhere, and John at CCW sold them to me with tires mounted, balanced, and ready to roll right off the UPS truck.
I located the full specs for my current wheel tire setup for anyone interested:
Wheels:
Rear: 18x11.5 (offset - 8.25” of backspace)
Front: 18x10 (offset - 8.5” of backspace)
Tires:
Rear: 335/30/18
Front: 275/35/18
Here's a pic of my previous wheels. These were the 17x11 / 17x9 standard GS 5-spokes with (I believe) the 56mm offset. Quite a few guys run that setup and they fit perfectly with absolutely no rubbing even with the car lowered 1" all around.
Last edited by ROME; Dec 8, 2005 at 11:56 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by ROME
I was able to get 18x11.5's under the back of mine with a couple of mods (also 18x10 up front). It required a new bracket for the trailing arms forward mounting point. I also had to grind the extra material off of the brake line bracket. Otherwise, they now fit perfectly with no rubbing, etc.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Outer Banks NC FIRST IN FLIGHT
Hey Rome that is a really great looking set of wheels and they look awesome on your Vette. Perfect with black. Like others have posted probably the best set of wheels I've seen on a C4.
Those 5 spokes look pretty good too.
Those 5 spokes look pretty good too.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 473
Likes: 8
From: Shreveport LA
Man, thanks a ton for the compliments guys.
vettef6,
I think the SP20A's with that tire setup would be perfect. The wheel well profile on the C4 is a perfect match for 18" wheels IMO.
I was working with a local fabricator a while back to try and fabricate a few sets of these custom offset trailing arm brackets along with some custom trailing arms. He got caught up opening a new business and the project kind of fell by the wayside. I've basically come to the conclusion that all that is required is the custom offset brackets used in conjunction with Exotic Muscle's heim-jointed adjustable trailing arms and sway bar links (pictured below). The EM heim-jointed trailing arms are a lot thinner than the big "bone" style arms that come stock on the C4. Their thinner ends, paired with a custom (forward) bracket that offsets them as far as possible to the inside is the secret to proper fitment with the big wheels.
I'm pretty sure I could have him crank out a few pairs of these custom brackets to help out anyone looking to fit the 335/18 setup in the rear of their C4 with minimal hassle. That way it would be a 100% bolt-on affair rather than everyone having to hire a local fabricator to jack around with prototypes, etc (it took us three tries to get it right).
Exotic Muscle C4 Suspension page
vettef6,
I think the SP20A's with that tire setup would be perfect. The wheel well profile on the C4 is a perfect match for 18" wheels IMO.
I was working with a local fabricator a while back to try and fabricate a few sets of these custom offset trailing arm brackets along with some custom trailing arms. He got caught up opening a new business and the project kind of fell by the wayside. I've basically come to the conclusion that all that is required is the custom offset brackets used in conjunction with Exotic Muscle's heim-jointed adjustable trailing arms and sway bar links (pictured below). The EM heim-jointed trailing arms are a lot thinner than the big "bone" style arms that come stock on the C4. Their thinner ends, paired with a custom (forward) bracket that offsets them as far as possible to the inside is the secret to proper fitment with the big wheels.
I'm pretty sure I could have him crank out a few pairs of these custom brackets to help out anyone looking to fit the 335/18 setup in the rear of their C4 with minimal hassle. That way it would be a 100% bolt-on affair rather than everyone having to hire a local fabricator to jack around with prototypes, etc (it took us three tries to get it right).
Exotic Muscle C4 Suspension page
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Outer Banks NC FIRST IN FLIGHT
Hey Rome thanks for all your input, and once again your wheels look great. If I am understanding you correctly modifications would only have to be made if you are trying to utilize 18X11.5 rear and 18X10.5 front. Do you think any mods are necessary for 18X10.5 rear and 18X9.5 front? I know this is all depending on tire size. Also I'm not all that clear on tire sizes and what would be a good combination for the later mentioned wheel sizes. I don't want anything that rubs, sticks out or increases the height of the car.
I am assuming that 18’s would fit up in the wheel well narrowing that 3 inch gap at the bottom of the fender edge and the top of the tire. I have lowered the rear and I’m planning on lowering the front when I change out my bushings. Do you think lowering the car with 18’s is a good choice or should I keep it standard height? Also will changing over to 18’s throw off my speedo calibration?
The set of wheels and tires that I am thinking about running is a C6 repro 18X10.5 with 275 40 rears and 18X9.5 with 245 40 front, this would be just a street set up and not for the track. Also like I said before, I'm not sure if this is a good set up or not.
Any other suggestions would be welcomed too.
Thanks, Kizmo.
I am assuming that 18’s would fit up in the wheel well narrowing that 3 inch gap at the bottom of the fender edge and the top of the tire. I have lowered the rear and I’m planning on lowering the front when I change out my bushings. Do you think lowering the car with 18’s is a good choice or should I keep it standard height? Also will changing over to 18’s throw off my speedo calibration?
The set of wheels and tires that I am thinking about running is a C6 repro 18X10.5 with 275 40 rears and 18X9.5 with 245 40 front, this would be just a street set up and not for the track. Also like I said before, I'm not sure if this is a good set up or not.
Any other suggestions would be welcomed too.
Thanks, Kizmo.
Last edited by Kizmo; Dec 13, 2005 at 11:28 AM.