Help solving problem fitting C6 wheels on my C4
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Help solving problem fitting C6 wheels on my C4
I've seen photos of two different Corvettes on Corvette Forum showing C4's with C6 (NOT Z06) wheels. I tried mounting the rear wheels of a spare set of C6 wheels I have, and found that the wheels hit a ton of stuff (inside forward wheel well, brake lines, sway bar, etc.). I couldn't even get a lug nut on. If I tried using spacers, my guess is I'd need 2.5"+. I've never seen spacers that big. Can anyone shed light on what those two people did to accomplish the mounting? Over two weeks ago, I sent messages to the two people who posted the photos, but have yet to hear from either. Thanks much, Jeff
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
different wheel styles have different OFFSETS.
Yes, you may need 2" or more in spacers...OR the correct wheel for your yr. Plenty of aftermarket wheels made with C6 styles (clones) that fit C4s with the correct back-spacing.
C4s changed rear suspension geometry in 88. from 88 up it was slightly narrower. That caused the offset to change in the C4 wheels. Each generation has changed.
There are plenty of mfg to buy real billet spacer/adaptors for $80 a pair...sometimes less.
Yes, you may need 2" or more in spacers...OR the correct wheel for your yr. Plenty of aftermarket wheels made with C6 styles (clones) that fit C4s with the correct back-spacing.
C4s changed rear suspension geometry in 88. from 88 up it was slightly narrower. That caused the offset to change in the C4 wheels. Each generation has changed.
There are plenty of mfg to buy real billet spacer/adaptors for $80 a pair...sometimes less.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 7
From: Johnsonville Wi
I'm guessing you've got an early C4 (84-87) as opposed to a late C4 (88-96).
C5/C6 wheels can bolt onto a late C4 with little or no problems; putting them on early C4's cause issues because they have different suspensions.
-Tim
C5/C6 wheels can bolt onto a late C4 with little or no problems; putting them on early C4's cause issues because they have different suspensions.
-Tim
Last edited by Daffy2; Oct 19, 2012 at 09:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Actually, it wasn't your car, but yours looks great with the C6 wheels. The answer to my problem is in a response, below. Thanks for the response. Jeff
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
different wheel styles have different OFFSETS.
Yes, you may need 2" or more in spacers...OR the correct wheel for your yr. Plenty of aftermarket wheels made with C6 styles (clones) that fit C4s with the correct back-spacing.
C4s changed rear suspension geometry in 88. from 88 up it was slightly narrower. That caused the offset to change in the C4 wheels. Each generation has changed.
There are plenty of mfg to buy real billet spacer/adaptors for $80 a pair...sometimes less.
Yes, you may need 2" or more in spacers...OR the correct wheel for your yr. Plenty of aftermarket wheels made with C6 styles (clones) that fit C4s with the correct back-spacing.
C4s changed rear suspension geometry in 88. from 88 up it was slightly narrower. That caused the offset to change in the C4 wheels. Each generation has changed.
There are plenty of mfg to buy real billet spacer/adaptors for $80 a pair...sometimes less.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
different wheel styles have different OFFSETS.
Yes, you may need 2" or more in spacers...OR the correct wheel for your yr. Plenty of aftermarket wheels made with C6 styles (clones) that fit C4s with the correct back-spacing.
C4s changed rear suspension geometry in 88. from 88 up it was slightly narrower. That caused the offset to change in the C4 wheels. Each generation has changed.
There are plenty of mfg to buy real billet spacer/adaptors for $80 a pair...sometimes less.
Yes, you may need 2" or more in spacers...OR the correct wheel for your yr. Plenty of aftermarket wheels made with C6 styles (clones) that fit C4s with the correct back-spacing.
C4s changed rear suspension geometry in 88. from 88 up it was slightly narrower. That caused the offset to change in the C4 wheels. Each generation has changed.
There are plenty of mfg to buy real billet spacer/adaptors for $80 a pair...sometimes less.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
To you and Daffy2, I do have an 84. Have only had it a few months; bought it to autocross and only afterwards did I learn the nuances that separate the C4 generation years. I have decided to sell it and purchase an 89 and up car with a 6 speed. I suspect if I put the C6 wheels on the 84, they might stick out a little too much, but I'll keep that option open. Do you see any technical issues with using a very wide spacer? Thanks again, Jeff
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
no, not a problem if its a quality chunk of aluminum. I've got 1.5" on the rear of my 87 to carry the 94 sawblade wheel correctly and bump it out a hair more.. No issues at all. The adaptors come with high strength bolts, recessed holes, so your wheel is being bolted to something just as strong as the hub. Avoid the plates and long bolts...thats where people get in trouble.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
no, not a problem if its a quality chunk of aluminum. I've got 1.5" on the rear of my 87 to carry the 94 sawblade wheel correctly and bump it out a hair more.. No issues at all. The adaptors come with high strength bolts, recessed holes, so your wheel is being bolted to something just as strong as the hub. Avoid the plates and long bolts...thats where people get in trouble.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
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From: Anaheim CA
GM changed the suspension geometry in '88. The wheel offset changed (along with just about everything else). The later wheels won't fit correctly on the earlier cars without adapters.
This chart tells the whole story (note that the offsets are generally 56mm on the later wheels and less on the earlier wheels):
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c4/susp_chart.html
This chart tells the whole story (note that the offsets are generally 56mm on the later wheels and less on the earlier wheels):
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c4/susp_chart.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
GM changed the suspension geometry in '88. The wheel offset changed (along with just about everything else). The later wheels won't fit correctly on the earlier cars without adapters.
This chart tells the whole story (note that the offsets are generally 56mm on the later wheels and less on the earlier wheels):
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c4/susp_chart.html
This chart tells the whole story (note that the offsets are generally 56mm on the later wheels and less on the earlier wheels):
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c4/susp_chart.html