C4 Wheel Specs
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3rd Gear
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C4 Wheel Specs
I am new to c4 corvettes and I am doing research on the best aftermarket wheel specs to do for a c4 corvette. I am looking for something that is wide for performance but does not cause rubbing so that I could still daily on a base model c4. Does anyone have suggestions for wheel specs?
Le Mans Master
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From: near the thumb in the mitten
There are 2 series of wheels depending on years. 84-87 and 88-96. There is a sticky about factory wheels and offsets. Car will accept 275 wide 26 inch tall tire front and rear. Slightly taller tire could be installed in rear. Budget determines whats available.
Team Owner
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You can run 9.5" wide or maybe 10.5" wide rims on front, but I'd stick with 9.5". In the rear 10.5 or 11" are common. Just getting the right offset for your year, as stated there are basically two eras based on how GM changed the suspension around, 84-87 and 88-96.
I ran 275s on a 17x9.5 for a long time, now I run 275s and 315s on 18x9.5 and 18x10.5 F/R.
I personally don't usually like the look of any larger rims than 18" on a C4, but it depends on the stance.
I ran 275s on a 17x9.5 for a long time, now I run 275s and 315s on 18x9.5 and 18x10.5 F/R.
I personally don't usually like the look of any larger rims than 18" on a C4, but it depends on the stance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Michigan
I got a killer deal on some bran new 17x9 rotary forged, $430ish shipped for the set! Not bought tires yet, can't rem the size atm got it noted somewhere but it was a 26" tire. Been wanting to get some decent wheels beside my drag pack or stock
Last edited by BOOT77; Jul 19, 2020 at 01:03 PM.
Safety Car
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From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
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3rd Gear
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The year would be 1990. The suggestions are really helpful. I am curious, does the zr-1 allow for wider wheels because I have heard of people putting 11" wide in the front and 12.5" wide in the rear on a zr-1 but haven't heard about anything for a base model? Would such wide wheels result in rubbing?
Here is a video link from a channel called OffTheRanch where he talks about his wheel dimensions on his 1990 zr1 at 1:14:
Here is a video link from a channel called OffTheRanch where he talks about his wheel dimensions on his 1990 zr1 at 1:14:
Last edited by Chase Williams; Jul 19, 2020 at 07:06 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: near the thumb in the mitten
ZR1 has a unique tapered body. The rear end is 3 or so inches wider than the standard c4. It uses a 36mm offset 11 inch rear wheel. The fronts are 54mm standard offset for.88-96. The offset will limit aftermarket wheel selection. You could get a way with 50mm , the 96 Grand Sport Coupes used 11 inch 50mm offset wheel. Tire will be on the edge of fender. Aftermarket wheels typically run over 1k used tsw ccw forgeline. It's what you want to spend 500 per wheel should net something you like.
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Le Mans Master
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From: St. Charles MO
Very small correction: the front ZR1s were like all 17x9.5 wheels on 88-96 C4s, with 56mm offset.
I and others are able to run as wide as 11" wheels with 50mm offset both front and rear on 88-96 C4s, with 315-width tires. As Kevova wrote, these are right at the edge of the fender, with no extra room on the inside. They are the max. A lot of people run C5 Z06 rear wheels, which are 18x10.5 with offset of 58mm. If you run wheels this wide, you can use tires of 275/35/18, 285/35/18, or 295/35/18 without issues. There are lots more choices in those tire sizes than in 315 sizes for either 17" or 18" wheels. This is all assuming you want to run pretty wide rolling stock both front and rear, as you indicated.
I and others are able to run as wide as 11" wheels with 50mm offset both front and rear on 88-96 C4s, with 315-width tires. As Kevova wrote, these are right at the edge of the fender, with no extra room on the inside. They are the max. A lot of people run C5 Z06 rear wheels, which are 18x10.5 with offset of 58mm. If you run wheels this wide, you can use tires of 275/35/18, 285/35/18, or 295/35/18 without issues. There are lots more choices in those tire sizes than in 315 sizes for either 17" or 18" wheels. This is all assuming you want to run pretty wide rolling stock both front and rear, as you indicated.