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My 87 has 9.5" all around. My front right was actually a left (so I had 3 left and 1 right 9.5" rim.
I found a set of Z51 84 rims.
My goal is to repaint the center and and inner of turbine blades gray to match my 87 rims.
Here is my question. The rim could use a clean up and I thought I should look at doing a polish on it and all the others on my car. Here is my confusion...
IF you've bought 'nothing' yet don't. I'd think it wise to shop for a correct to match the 3 you have. I'd think it would be advisable to confirm by casting information from the 'back-side' of what you actually have.
IF you've bought 'nothing' yet don't. I'd think it wise to shop for a correct to match the 3 you have. I'd think it would be advisable to confirm by casting information from the 'back-side' of what you actually have.
Unfortunately before I started to get a handle on all the early rims I did, I bought a set of 87 rims only to find out they were 8.5". I put 2 of those on the front so I have the correct directional rims (so now 8.5 front/9.5 rear).
The 84 rims I picked up for $100 thinking I would just paint the center and turbines and then use the 9.5 on the front.
I think I need to follow your advice and not make this a career job. I will likely flip the 84 rims, keep my 8.5/9.5 set up and keep my eyes open for a proper 9.5 87 rim.
Realistically I just tour around with my wife in the vert. Its not like I'm racing it and absolutely need the 9.5" in the front. Its more an OCD thing because I know it had the Z52 RPO.
I want to drive it, not make a career out of stripping/painting/polishing rims!
Also before you invest any time/money in rehabbing any 9.5 wheels or a set that includes them, for a street-driven C4 you should really look at tires first. The problem is that there are no true street tires in production anymore in the OE 255/50/16 size. There are 245/50/16 tires available that work fine on the 8.5" wheels, but they will be a big stretch onto 9.5s. The only DOT tires left at 255 are track-oriented tires. If you want to run 9.5s on the street, the best option is probably the Toyo Proxes RA1 in the OE size. It's a competition tire, but at least it has decent tread and rain performance and will last a little while. But it's still a compromise. Just go in with eyes open.
The later casting will shine up proper. The 84 rims will get shiny but they're not machined smooth by any means so the surface, no matter how hard you try, won't be mirror like.
there's about thirty hours in them there. They look good but an 87 set (seen them first hand with less work) will be better. Plus you have to strip the clear off the face on the 84 set to polish too if not done already.
Rim polishing questions
