Wheel Adapters
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Wheel Adapters
Im looking to buy adapters to fit on my 85 for my 5 spoke ZR1 style wheels. Getting tired of looking at them sunkin in the wheel wells. Im debating on getting the 1.25" or 1.5". Let me know your thoughts? Also if anyone has pics that would be great. Thanks guys!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,331
Likes: 2,722
What you could do is drop a plumb-bob from the hood edge to the ground and measure from the tire side-wall to the string and any dimension less than that would tell you where the wheel/tire would sit by adding that thick of a spacer. You could do it from the quarter edge in the rear and compare also.
That would be cut and dried, no guessing.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Here's the definitive chart of Corvette wheel sizes and offsets. That should give you the info you need to choose the appropriate adapter:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech...l#.UbK-YZX5HHM
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech...l#.UbK-YZX5HHM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
Likes: 66
From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
Go with the 1", the wheels are out just far enough where it look's good and you shouldn't rub the upper fender well. My first set were 1.5 and ended up selling them. Be sure to get adapters that are wheel & hub centric.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Go with the 1".
I had 1.25" and used them on my '85 with '94 sawblades. The fronts (8.5" wheels) are ok with the 1.25" adapter, but would be too far out with 9.5" wheels. The rears are ok with the 9.5" wheels but they are all the way out as far as I would use.
The 1" or even 0.75" would be a better choice.
Here is what the 1.25" looked like on my '85.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Thanks for all your replies everyone, great information and much appreciated. I already have the 17X9.5 spoke wheels from a later model C4 on there now so I leaning toward the 1.25" adapters. Ebay has them but just need to figure out what seller and brand to go with. QCVette, I like that look with the 1.25"...However for those that went with the 1" did you need to grind down the stock studs at all?
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,331
Likes: 2,722
Thanks for all your replies everyone, great information and much appreciated. I already have the 17X9.5 spoke wheels from a later model C4 on there now so I leaning toward the 1.25" adapters. Ebay has them but just need to figure out what seller and brand to go with. QCVette, I like that look with the 1.25"...However for those that went with the 1" did you need to grind down the stock studs at all?
I'd suggest doing a 1" buy first and then if you actually believe the 1 1/4 will work the 1" would be an easy sell. You buy the 1 1/4" and your not happy they're not going to be the easy sell.
You lived with the "misfits" for how long?
You need to be sure that you're buying adapters that have a center bore of 70.3 to fit the car and have a 70.3 hub to fit the wheel. If you don't do that you've accomplished near nothing!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jun 9, 2013 at 10:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Ive lived with these misfits way to long, for years. Still have no idea how ive gone so long without correcting it. I did buy adapters a while back from Ecklers and couldnt get them to work right and just gave up. Also was going to sell or trade for a manual Vette so just left it the way it is. Well this year im going to get it right because its driving me crazy looking at them tucked in the wells..... Thanks for the info....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Where did you guys get your wheel adapters? It looks like if I go with the 1" the stock studs will stick out and the lug nuts might be to long and will stick out as well. I just got the 1.25" to try them out and it fits just right with no mods but the wheels come out a little far in the front. I have the ZR1 style aftermarkets and it only has a small cut out in the back and probably not deep enough where the studs and lugs will fit in. Going to keep the pair for the rear and maybe go with the 1" for the fronts if I can find the right ones. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Where did you guys get your wheel adapters? It looks like if I go with the 1" the stock studs will stick out and the lug nuts might be to long and will stick out as well. I just got the 1.25" to try them out and it fits just right with no mods but the wheels come out a little far in the front. I have the ZR1 style aftermarkets and it only has a small cut out in the back and probably not deep enough where the studs and lugs will fit in. Going to keep the pair for the rear and maybe go with the 1" for the fronts if I can find the right ones. Thanks