c4 rim swap

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Jul 7, 2014 | 07:17 AM

carrmann

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c4 rim swap

looking at rims for my C4 86 base model.
I noticed rims that are listed as fitting 88 to 96.
what is the difference between 86 model that would make 88 rims not fit.

Jul 7, 2014 | 07:50 AM

WVZR-1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by carrmann

looking at rims for my C4 86 base model.
I noticed rims that are listed as fitting 88 to 96.
what is the difference between 86 model that would make 88 rims not fit.

The offset/back-spacing of the wheels are different, if you found a wheel that mentioned fitting '88 - '96 you could assume you would need a spacer of some sort. That would be true for most anything in 9.5" widths. A 19mm - 25mm spacer is generally the accepted required spacer/adapter.

Don't buy before mentioning the wheel that interests you and mention the width and advertised offset of whatever you might find.

Shop for direct-fit first though! A 9.5" wheel in offsets of +35 - +40 could be considered likely a direct fit.

Jul 7, 2014 | 11:24 AM

hcbph

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From: Minneapolis Mn

Rims

I've looked at these for my 86 if I have to go with 17" tires on my next change:
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Brand

they look like they'll fit without requiring adapters.

Jul 7, 2014 | 11:58 AM

ghoastrider1

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From: indy indiana

your link goes to the home page, not what you were looking at. I have an 86 and looking for a 17 upgrade for several reasons... rumor has it that 16 in our tire size is getting hard to aquire.

Jul 7, 2014 | 05:17 PM

TBSS/85vette

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Joined: Dec 2012

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From: Rockford Illinois

Check Ebay, alot of choices in 17" and 18" with the correct offset, no adapters needed. That's where I got my 18" with a 40mm offset for my 1985.

Jul 8, 2014 | 10:17 AM

hcbph

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From: Minneapolis Mn

Wheels

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghoastrider1

your link goes to the home page, not what you were looking at. I have an 86 and looking for a 17 upgrade for several reasons... rumor has it that 16 in our tire size is getting hard to aquire.

Just tried the link myself and it took me to the page on Motegi Racing MR120(Bright Silver Paint) rims on Tireracks web site. These are gray but I've also seen them before in black.
Front and Rear
Size: 17x8.5
Offset: 35mm
Backspacing: 6.06"
Bolt Pattern: 5-475
Rec. Tire Size: 255/45-17
Weight: 22.3lbs.
Finish: Bright Silver Paint
Construction: 1pc. Gravity Cast
Finish Warranty: 1 Year
Manufactured in China

I have an 86 Convertible and most of the rims I've looked at are the deeper backspacing for 88 or 90 and up (around 50+mm IIRC) and if I change rims I don't want to run any spacers or adapters. Right now mine has 245/50-16 BFG Comp 2's on it. I'm assuming the PO did that because the 255's cost more when replaced a few years ago. I'll either go with the OEM size or something like the 255/45-17's when the time comes assuming they're still available.

Jul 8, 2014 | 10:27 AM

c4cruiser

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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69

NCM Sinkhole Donor

For tires, you'll find that the 275/40-17 tire is nearly identical in size to that of the OEM 255/50-16 in terms of tread width and diameter. The recommend wheel width for the 275 tire is 9-1/2". Early C4's with the 16" wheels had that same wheel width as standard on the Z51 and Z52 options.

The most common replacement wheel for the early C4 is the 17x9.5" ZR-1 style wheel. AFS Wheels has them with the correct 38mm offset so they sit properly in the wheelwell. They sell on ebay.