87 rims offset/spacers?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
87 rims offset/spacers?
Looking to get rims since I need new tires too. Currently have 16's on but looking to get 17's if I find the right one. I see a lot of rims that are compatible for 88-96 vettes, but all the specs match my 87 except the offset, usually 50mm offset. Do I need to get spacers with a 50mm offset?
Also what rims do any early C4's on here have? What was needed to make them fit? And of course pics are appreciated.
Also what rims do any early C4's on here have? What was needed to make them fit? And of course pics are appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I just bolted these guys on tonight:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AFS-WHEELS-AND-TIRES-fit-84-87-Corvette-17-x-9-5-11-ZR1-Rim-Trans-Am-CHROME-ZR-1-/261285830791?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Wheel_Packages&hash=item3cd5d96087&vxp=mtr
They have the correct offset for the older Corvettes, so no spacers are needed.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AFS-WHEELS-AND-TIRES-fit-84-87-Corvette-17-x-9-5-11-ZR1-Rim-Trans-Am-CHROME-ZR-1-/261285830791?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Wheel_Packages&hash=item3cd5d96087&vxp=mtr
They have the correct offset for the older Corvettes, so no spacers are needed.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
AFD Wheels also have the ZR-1 style rims in chrome, polished aluminum and black.
One thing to consider about the different sizes in the set is that if you go with four 17x9.5 wheels and 275/40-17 tires, you can rotate them for better tread life. Yoiu can check with AFS Wheels to get all the information about a set like that and the various wheel finishes.
Another thing to consider is that the larger 315/35-17 tire is getting hard to find. There are only a few tire manufacturers making that size.
One thing to consider about the different sizes in the set is that if you go with four 17x9.5 wheels and 275/40-17 tires, you can rotate them for better tread life. Yoiu can check with AFS Wheels to get all the information about a set like that and the various wheel finishes.
Another thing to consider is that the larger 315/35-17 tire is getting hard to find. There are only a few tire manufacturers making that size.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
The 3/4" adapter will position the later C4 wheels in the same position as your stock 16".Check how long your wheel studs are too. I don't remember exactly, but they are about an inch or so. If you use the 3/4" or maybe the 1" the studs may extend past the face of the adapter. On many wheels that is not a problem since there are frequently recesses in the wheel mounting face. If the wheel does not have recesses and the stud extends past the face of the adpater, they will hit and the wheel will not mount correctly. You may need to shorten the studs if that occurs.
I had 1.25" adapters 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 for fitment.
Here is what the 1.25" looked like on my '85.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,159
Likes: 1,732
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
You'll need a 3/4" adapter for the regular 50 or 56 mm offset 88-96 wheels, but AFS and some others make the same wheels for the 84-87 in the correct 36 or 38 mm offsets. AFS is what I used to run on the 86.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hi here is another pic with the chrome ZR1 wheels.
These are the 88-96 type with the 1 inch adapters, Corvette Central also has direct fit wheels with the 38mm offset for 84-87. The 88-96 have a 56mm offset.
These are the 88-96 type with the 1 inch adapters, Corvette Central also has direct fit wheels with the 38mm offset for 84-87. The 88-96 have a 56mm offset.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
If I do get adapter. What's a recommendation on them? As far as brand. There's all kinds. Will the adapter cover the hub bolts up all the way, or are there adapters that slide on and you use the wheel hub bolts to connect the rim.
I'm looking to get black rims. Been looking at the zr1 style but also the zo6 style of c5's.
I'm looking to get black rims. Been looking at the zr1 style but also the zo6 style of c5's.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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If I had a pre-89 car, I'd be looking at wheel options which offset as close to zero as possible. I'm saying I like having a "dish" (rim). The only reason to buy spacers is if you really NEED to have wheels from the later years and like NOT having an rim/lip.
BLAH.....
FWIW, I TRIED getting deeper dish wheels with my last purchase. I went through Corvettemods. I specifically asked about the lip on earlier wheels -- hoping to get more "dish" front and rear. But, I ended up with the opposite. The brand they sent was listed with lower offset -- but it had a built-in hub/spacer.
I was disappointed because even the rear wheel faces were flush with the outer rim. (And, they are 11" wheels.) I didn't have a chance to return them because I drop-shipped them to where my car was being repaired after someone hit me last fall. They were mounted before I saw them.
BE VERY CAREFUL WITH SPECS BEFORE YOU ORDER!
(I'm not saying mine are "bad". They weren't what I thought I was getting....as you'd hope for with an $800 purchase.)
BLAH.....
FWIW, I TRIED getting deeper dish wheels with my last purchase. I went through Corvettemods. I specifically asked about the lip on earlier wheels -- hoping to get more "dish" front and rear. But, I ended up with the opposite. The brand they sent was listed with lower offset -- but it had a built-in hub/spacer.
I was disappointed because even the rear wheel faces were flush with the outer rim. (And, they are 11" wheels.) I didn't have a chance to return them because I drop-shipped them to where my car was being repaired after someone hit me last fall. They were mounted before I saw them.
BE VERY CAREFUL WITH SPECS BEFORE YOU ORDER!
(I'm not saying mine are "bad". They weren't what I thought I was getting....as you'd hope for with an $800 purchase.)
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: prescott valley az
Here are some 17's not shure on brand or the offset, they have a 3/4 or 1" spacer. I wouldn't mind using a spacer if the wheel stud went all the way through. BUT ya bolt the spacer on the hub and the spacer has offset studs sticking out of it.... seems wrong