I just bought a 91 C4 for my son's first car. (E doesn't know it yet. It's his Christmas present.). It's a little rough but runs good. I'm wanting to swap on some C4 ZR1 wheels for him.
My problem is I don't want the rear wheels to stick out.
Can I order the 9.5 inch wheels all the way around and just use a 1/2 inch spacer on the rear to make the wheels look flush with the rear fenders? Rather than putting the 11.5 inch wheels on the rear.
I figured of anyone would know someone on here would.

 

The 88-96 have 54mm offset, you only need adapters when fitting to the early 84-87.
if you have 9.5x17 rims with 275 40 17 tyres all round, it will be the same with the ZR1 A mold wheels.
if you want them to be be offset a little you can fit a spacer or adapter to do that.

The 11 inch rims will stick out slightly, most put more negative camber to keep the tops within the rear quarter panels.
By the way what a lucky son you have

Gerard

 

My son had loved Vettes since he was 3. He used to play with his hot wheels and tell his Mom he would drive her around in his Vette when we was grown. Lol .
My Mom had this white 91 C4 for years and that's how he started liking them so much. She parked it in storage for a couple of years because she had gotten a bit older so she made me a smokin deal on it.
Was always nice having a Mom that was into performance cars. Made it easier to convince my Dad I needed speed also.
Most of his buddies have gotten Jeep Wranglers or various import cars. I figured this would be way cooler. Already has Flowmaster mufflers so it sounds mean too. Insurance isn't for the faint of heart on a kid but it will be worth it in about a month when he gets the keys.
So I should be able to just run 9.5 inch wheels all around like it has now and be fine. Appreciate the info.
Once I get it all setup I'll post some pics.

 

The 17x9.5" C4 wheels had 56mm offset. There were two different 17x11 wheels: The ZR1 wheel had 36mm offset, and the 96 Grand Sport wheel had 50mm offset. The true ZR1 wheel will stick out significantly. The Grand Sport wheel won't, but will be very flush (the sidewall might protrude but the tread block corner of most 315 tires will be right at the fender edge).

The big problem with 17x11 wheels is the very slim selection of tires available for street use, none of which are all that great. If you stick with 17x9.5 at all four corners, you have a big selection of 275/40/17 tires. You could add a 1/2" spacer to get them closer to flush, but you may need longer wheel studs to have enough threads to safely engage the lug nuts.

Another thing lots of people do is run four rear wheels from a C5 Z06, which are 18x10.5 with 58mm offset. On those, you can run 275/35/18, 285/35/18, or 295/35/18 tires and there are lots to choose from. They fit without spacers. This is obviously a more expensive option, but the OE ones are very high quality wheels. You can also buy repros in this size for fairly cheap. You could buy a full set of front and rear C5 Z06 wheels and use them: the fronts are 17x9.5 et 54, and you'd want to use 275/40/17 tires on those fronts, and probably the 295/35/18 fitment on the rears. This would give you the "staggered" diameter look, which lots of people like (I think diameters should be the same front and rear on a C4, but that's a matter of the aesthetics you like).

 

Thanks for the info. I do like the c5 z06 wheels also. The staggered look also appeals to me.

 

If you like the staggered look, then it's an easy recommendation to shop for a good full set of those C5Z wheels. They look good, they are light and good quality (flow formed, I believe), and fit well.

 

Bumping this one as I am still shopping for wheels.
Any one know what would be the right size tires to run on our 1991 c4 with c7 z06 reproduction wheels? I'm thinking the size of 18 x9.5 wheels I found online.

 

For 18x9.5 wheels on a C4, you want 275/35/18 tires. They will match the outside diameter of the original 91 wheel/tire fitment and there are tons of choices in that size.

 

Thanks Mr.Miller. I am torn between those C7 wheels and the c5 z06 wheels black but going with the staggered rear size really limits the sizes available on these. My son really wants black wheels on the white car. Has the whole storm trooper look going on with tinted covers on turn signals, tail lights and tinted windows.

 

I'm still kicking this wheel idea down the road. We really like these a lot.
https://www.oewheelsllc.com/18-Fits-...-Black-18x10-5

My fear is that the fronts would rub. Would anyone know if the 10.5 wheel with 56mm offset will clear just fine?
Sorry to keep beating this old subject.
Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

They won't rub. People run the rear C5 Z06 fronts on later C4s all the time, and they are 18x10.5 with 58mm offset. You can run 275/35/18, 285/35/18, or 295/35/18 tires on those wheels and they should all be fine.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the quick reply.