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Did a quick search but want a confirmation. Have a chance to get the original rims for my 85 Z51. Haven't checked but according to the PO they are original and the charts I've seen they are 16x9.5 all around. I am looking for an "All Season" tire that will fit this rim. No luck so far. Found AS 245's in BFG but they say they won't fit 9.5 width. True? Is there an easy way to determine the rim size? Right now they have very worn Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP 255/50-16s, and I'm sure the EP means even puddles causes spinout (j/k). So unless I want to run "summer" tires (I won't give my opinion on that) I guess it's 17x9.5 which I want but a quick fix would be the oe rims and as tires. Rim size id if you can help.
The 84-87 uses a different back space (35mm) than the later 17 inch wheels(56mm). The later oem c4 wheel will fit with 20mm spacer. There are 93-96 8 1/2 "front saw blades" & 9 1/2 88-96. Unfortunately it seems corvette 16 inch tires are disappearing. The zr1 17x11 rear is 35mm. Aftermarket and reproduction wheels are available where a spacer would not be required.
You might want to ask them about the date codes, or check them and return them if they are too old. Those have been out of production for at least a couple of years.
Last edited by C6_Racer_X; 12-17-2018 at 10:32 AM.
I have an 86 convertible. All the convertibles came with 16x9.5 rims that year. I have the BFG G-Force Sport-Comp 2 in 255/50-16 size. I'll have to check the size, but I got them at Tire Rack and they seem to have no issue on the 9.5 rim.
Sorry - Just looked and these are SUmmer tires. Noticed you were looking for all-season in your post. But sizing should be relevant to the 9.5 rim, but you knew that already.
Just do me the favor and disregard. I have added nothing here
I have an 86 convertible. All the convertibles came with 16x9.5 rims that year. I have the BFG G-Force Sport-Comp 2 in 255/50-16 size. I'll have to check the size, but I got them at Tire Rack and they seem to have no issue on the 9.5 rim.
Sorry - Just looked and these are SUmmer tires. Noticed you were looking for all-season in your post. But sizing should be relevant to the 9.5 rim, but you knew that already.
Just do me the favor and disregard. I have added nothing here
I appreciate the effort. I chatted with a very knowledgeable rep at tire rack and he said no go. Have them in 245 as for the 8.5 but they say those won't fit 9.5. The rims I have could very well be 8.5 but the oe said they were the original and he's had the car forever.
I don't know why the concern for tires when you actually don't know what the 'wheels' are. The wheels will have cast information on the back-side identifying them. You don't trust 'charts' - you do hands on for identification. Having the casting information you can ID the wheels as to originality and original application. If you can't do a 'hands-on' then snapshots could confirm the same.
If there ain't a 255/50-16 tire that suits you it's seems irrelevant what the wheels are!!!
I agree about checking the wheels first. If you can't get "hands on," tell the current owner to send you pictures of the numbers on the castings.
Original 1986 corvette Z51 wheels should have the designation 9.5Jx16ET38 (from possibly faulty memory and double checked on possibly faulty websites). Knowing GM's penchant for fractions, they might be marked 9½Jx16ET38. There may be an "H" or "H2" somewhere in that string, as well.
I don't know why the concern for tires when you actually don't know what the 'wheels' are. The wheels will have cast information on the back-side identifying them. You don't trust 'charts' - you do hands on for identification. Having the casting information you can ID the wheels as to originality and original application. If you can't do a 'hands-on' then snapshots could confirm the same.
If there ain't a 255/50-16 tire that suits you it's seems irrelevant what the wheels are!!!
I did ask if there was a simple way to find out. Thanks for the info.
I agree about checking the wheels first. If you can't get "hands on," tell the current owner to send you pictures of the numbers on the castings.
Original 1986 corvette Z51 wheels should have the designation 9.5Jx16ET38 (from possibly faulty memory and double checked on possibly faulty websites). Knowing GM's penchant for fractions, they might be marked 9½Jx16ET38. There may be an "H" or "H2" somewhere in that string, as well.
He text me the front and the tread. I'll get him to see if he can either read or shoot me a pic. I figured there was a simple way to id them. Thanks again for the help.
BTW, the base models had the same "salad shooter" wheels, but only 8.5 inches wide (marked 8.5Jx16ET32). Only the Z51's in those years were 9.5 inch wheels.
Last edited by C6_Racer_X; 12-17-2018 at 11:55 AM.
I did ask if there was a simple way to find out. Thanks for the info.
There's way more information on early wheels than the mentioned width - offset. All will have likely a part # casting and 'side of vehicle' mounting . From the information you should be able to confirm actual production year used also.
'85 wheels I'd expect also a 2 letter code for simple ID. FJ. FM, FR, FK for 9.5. Might be more!
BTW, the base models had the same "salad shooter" wheels, but only 8.5 inches wide (marked 8.5Jx16ET32). Only the Z51's in those years were 9.5 inch wheels.
It is definitely a Z51. I'm nearly 100% positive these are going to be 9.5's. Therefore that is what all the drama is about with finding tires especially since I want all season. Figured I would just find out about 9.5 since I know those will be difficult to find. Except for you. That link at amazon took care of that problem. Now I just have to decide if I want to spend the $200 for all 4 wheels, buying the tires, having them mounted/balance ect.
There's way more information on early wheels than the mentioned width - offset. All will have likely a part # casting and 'side of vehicle' mounting . From the information you should be able to confirm actual production year used also.
I'm using a chart at Mirrock and saw that the offset was different from an 85 base and a Z51. One of the reason I'm interested in the original wheels is that difference. I emailed the oe and he will check it out and let me know about the casting numbers.
Check both the front and the rear wheel sizes. I believe the '85 Z51's had 8 1/2" width on the front and 9 1/2" width on the rear.
Nope, that was the case for the 84 Z51, but the 85 Z51 (like the OP has) came with 16x9.5 ET38 at all four corners. The base (non-Z51) that year came with the 8.5. Either wheel came with 255/50r16 tires, so unfortunately that pic of the tire won't help verify. But if the OP's car is defintiely a 1985 Z51, and if the wheels he's looking at are definitely the actual ones that came on his car originally, then they are 9.5" wide.
I agree with the specs that say a 245 isn't the best fit. It could be made to fit, but it would be a stretch and it would be outside the tire manufacturer's recommended rim width. For all-seasons, that Firestone at Amazon may be about the only option. I wouldn't sweat the date codes too much, since they will have been stored inside. There are no options for 265/45r16 or 275/45r16 either, which might have fit well. So you are down to one option, and even it is actually already out of production.
I think the bigger question is whether you really want to buy these wheels and deal with this kind of extremely limited choice. The option to get 17x9.5s is a good one, and you have a lot of all-season tire choices in the 275/40r17 size. As noted, you'd need a 18mm (or 3/4") spacer to make it fit properly. The one hassle there is that you'd probably need to get ARP long wheel studs to use the spacers, but that's not a big problem. OTOH, if you really are after the original Turbine wheels for your car, you'll have to resign yourself to the knowledge that these tires are going away, and this may be the last chance you ever have to buy all-season tires in the proper size.
Nope, that was the case for the 84 Z51, but the 85 Z51 (like the OP has) came with 16x9.5 ET38 at all four corners. The base (non-Z51) that year came with the 8.5. Either wheel came with 255/50r16 tires, so unfortunately that pic of the tire won't help verify. But if the OP's car is defintiely a 1985 Z51, and if the wheels he's looking at are definitely the actual ones that came on his car originally, then they are 9.5" wide.
I agree with the specs that say a 245 isn't the best fit. It could be made to fit, but it would be a stretch and it would be outside the tire manufacturer's recommended rim width. For all-seasons, that Firestone at Amazon may be about the only option. I wouldn't sweat the date codes too much, since they will have been stored inside. There are no options for 265/45r16 or 275/45r16 either, which might have fit well. So you are down to one option, and even it is actually already out of production.
I think the bigger question is whether you really want to buy these wheels and deal with this kind of extremely limited choice. The option to get 17x9.5s is a good one, and you have a lot of all-season tire choices in the 275/40r17 size. As noted, you'd need a 18mm (or 3/4") spacer to make it fit properly. The one hassle there is that you'd probably need to get ARP long wheel studs to use the spacers, but that's not a big problem. OTOH, if you really are after the original Turbine wheels for your car, you'll have to resign yourself to the knowledge that these tires are going away, and this may be the last chance you ever have to buy all-season tires in the proper size.
Other than a few small details this is the conclusion I came to before I started this thread. The car has some type of c5 wheels on it now and has spacer but I haven't researched them yet. So it already has the correct spacers or the studs may accept some other. My other c4 has base 89 wheels all around with the BFG AS's which is the tire I want. I have drag, track and lots of street experience with this setup and it meets my needs well. I just really don't want the same style wheel on this car
I wondered if I could stretch a 245-16 but I wouldn't trust a corner at 80 mph or more with that setup. And the reason I'm in sort of a hurry is because the "summer" tires that were on the car when I bought it have absolutely no wet weather traction. A medium blip of the throttle and the rear end doesn't know which tire it wants to use. In a situation where I had to emergency brake and since I was well out of practice I locked the brakes and slid way too far. I know I should have driven the car not tried to stop it.
I really appreciate you sharing your vast knowledge and was hoping you would respond. Thanks.
And btw everyone, I research just about every aspect of anything I do. It sometimes results in information overload. But I would not wait to have a fire before I determined fire extinguisher options. And yes when we bought our house I read or skimmed every piece of paper I signed. Just the way I am.
Anyway I'm not going to waste anymore time or drama on these wheels. I'm going shopping for 17x9.5's and use the BFG's and probably not drive in the rain. Which defeats the whole purpose of why I bought the car. Hopefully a dealer will give me some trade on whats on it. Right now I'm at $3000 and that was my budget. But I think this car is worth another $1500, to me anyway.
Please feel free to add to the knowledge base. You never know what these cars options were. Going through assembly I don't believe the car in front of or behind mine or yours were even close to being "twins".
A big "Thank you" to everyones contribution to this topic.
Joe K
Last edited by Joe K; 12-19-2018 at 08:48 AM.
Reason: I'm correcting all of the small mistakes I'm finding. I guess I have some ocd :D
Other than a few small details this is the conclusion I came to before I started this thread. The car has some type of c5 wheels on it now and has spacer but I haven't researched them yet. So it already has the correct spacers or the studs may accept some other. My other c4 has base 89 wheels all around with the BFG AS's which is the tire I want. I have drag, track and lots of street experience with this setup and it meets my needs well. I just really don't want the same style wheel on this car
Good new about the spacers: it sounds like you're already set. The good news is that there are multiple choices in 17x9.5, and 275/40r17 has lots of tire choices. You could also go with 18x9.5 or 18x10 with a 275/35r18. Are the wheels on there now not something you want to use? Just curious.
...I had to emergency brake and since I was well out of practice I locked the brakes and slid way too far.
12-17-2018, 08:47 AM
16x9.5 Tires
