wheel adapters, safe or widow makers???
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
wheel adapters, safe or widow makers???
Remember me the one with the 98 z camaro wheels on my 86, :nonod: hey it's not my fault , they were on there when I got it,:rolleyes:
I like the five spokes better than saw blades but in the rear the offset is wrong, they sit inward to far, would the wheel adapters like on Ebay or from Ecklers be a cheap out over buying new wheels right now or are the adapters scary junk? :skep:
I just street drive pretty much normal.
Thanks,
C. :cheers:
I like the five spokes better than saw blades but in the rear the offset is wrong, they sit inward to far, would the wheel adapters like on Ebay or from Ecklers be a cheap out over buying new wheels right now or are the adapters scary junk? :skep:
I just street drive pretty much normal.
Thanks,
C. :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,506
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver,Wa.
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (The13Bats)
If you are going to buy a set get the ones that Vette brakes make. I think you can buy them in a set of two. I have pulled 1.80 60' times with them with no problems. They are billet aluminium..
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter Sunny Florida
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (The13Bats)
I would never condone using wheel adapters or spacers!
It's just about impossible to get them even so the wheels don't wobble, and you have to get longer lug studs to make up for the room they take. Aside from the tires falling off....
It probably would be easier and cheaper to just get a set of aftermarket wheels and then you know they fit right! :thumbs:
It's just about impossible to get them even so the wheels don't wobble, and you have to get longer lug studs to make up for the room they take. Aside from the tires falling off....
It probably would be easier and cheaper to just get a set of aftermarket wheels and then you know they fit right! :thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (Q1KSLVR)
AFS offers wheels with the correct spacing you need for 84-87 Corvettes. Go to eBay and search for AFS. They even have the 17x11" wheels for your Vette without the need of spacers.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (Q1KSLVR)
Here, so there's no confusion are a couple pics of what is offered on Ebay as they are the same high in aluminum as vette brakes uses, the studs are not longer beacuse the wheels both to a different set that the adapter to the hub, I really can't see how this machined type item could wobble but this is what I'm looking for all opinions, two spacers are way cheaper than a set of wheels..... :cool:
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (Corvette0096)
Folks still think about the old spacers, which were nearly impossible to get right. They required longer studs and never did position themselves correctly. I have the adadtors as you show on the front of my '85 and they work just fine. Had 'em up to 143mph, no wobble or other problems. :steering:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (The13Bats)
The spacers aren't necessary if you get rims that are special for the 84-87 Vettes. AFS has them where the wheel adapters aren't necessary. Look on eBay for AFS. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Wichita KS
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (Whitvette)
You guys are missing one very important point...
Your current (stock) hubs have a locating ring that is concentric to the spindle center line. This ring locates the wheel to the hub & carries a large portion of the vertical load. All the studs are designed to do is pull the wheel up to the hub & resist the rotational torque. The studs are not designed for the vertical load. You can use spacers as long as they are the "hub-centric" type or if they are so thin your factory hubs locating ring will still engage the wheel.
BTW, none of the spacers in the pics above are correct.
This type of design is what you need... http://www.zeckhausen.com/Product_De...el_spacers.htm
A better picture...
http://www.hill-engineering.co.uk/fe...eelspacers.htm
They sell hubcentric spacers for C4 Corvettes here... http://livermoreperformance.com/H&R%...20Spacers.html
[Modified by superlund, 6:35 PM 9/12/2003]
Your current (stock) hubs have a locating ring that is concentric to the spindle center line. This ring locates the wheel to the hub & carries a large portion of the vertical load. All the studs are designed to do is pull the wheel up to the hub & resist the rotational torque. The studs are not designed for the vertical load. You can use spacers as long as they are the "hub-centric" type or if they are so thin your factory hubs locating ring will still engage the wheel.
BTW, none of the spacers in the pics above are correct.
This type of design is what you need... http://www.zeckhausen.com/Product_De...el_spacers.htm
A better picture...
http://www.hill-engineering.co.uk/fe...eelspacers.htm
They sell hubcentric spacers for C4 Corvettes here... http://livermoreperformance.com/H&R%...20Spacers.html
[Modified by superlund, 6:35 PM 9/12/2003]
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: edmonton ab
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (superlund)
i replaced my 87 stock rim with newer 96 saw blades. YES ther is an offset. about 7/16" thickness (wider on each front).. what i did was machine a spacer that thickness to the exact bolt cicle and bored the center to fit snug to hub..then bought longer racing studs 128,000 tensile strength( do a search for the stud on forum).. works fine at speeds of 200k/hr.. :thumbs:
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster Lancashire
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (vettek50)
I think the Hubcentric type spacers are the way to go. I agree, you should have the central spigot to concentrically align and mount the wheel.
However to digress a little, I think some on the forum are running 17x11 GS wheels (315 tyres)without spacers and without protruding out of the fenders on early C4's. If nothing rubs I don't really see that much of a problem. I would like to see some pictures though. In the UK wheels cannot protrude out of the wheel arch. (wheelwell?).
However to digress a little, I think some on the forum are running 17x11 GS wheels (315 tyres)without spacers and without protruding out of the fenders on early C4's. If nothing rubs I don't really see that much of a problem. I would like to see some pictures though. In the UK wheels cannot protrude out of the wheel arch. (wheelwell?).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland fl
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (The13Bats)
All I can say is buy the right wheels. I saw a VW bug break one a few years ago and it wasnt pretty. About the 1.80- 60' time- I believe they are reasonably strong in linear strength. BUT where they fail are lateral forces. And when they do it is ugly. When the wheels you like are available in the correct offset- why get the wrong set and band-aid it with a spacer? I also TOTALLY agree with the hub centric comments. I have a set of aftermarket wheels (Chevy Rally style) on my Nova that are not hub centric- the center "hole" is alot larger than the axle hub, and they have wobbled for years with even the best balance job. I guess my only resolution is to make some "rings" to locate the wheels better.
13bats- I have a set of AFS silver wheels 17x9.5 and 17x11 ZR1 style in the 84-87 offset for sale. I just want what I have in them- and you are close enough to avoid shipping. IM me if you are interested.
13bats- I have a set of AFS silver wheels 17x9.5 and 17x11 ZR1 style in the 84-87 offset for sale. I just want what I have in them- and you are close enough to avoid shipping. IM me if you are interested.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (SBNova)
In another life I was into high performance "bugs" or "veedubs" as I called them, kit cars, trikes, etc, I have even hung a HO buick v-6 off a veedub tranny,
I believe 90% of the air-cooled veedubs out there run adapters which are no where near as nice as the vette ones vette brakes makes, I know people who run adapters on 11 second street buggies, I personally have only heard of one breaking yours being the second I know as fact the first story I heard it broke due to improper installation.
I'm not saying getting the right offset wheel isn't the right way to do it I'm asking if the adapters like vette brakes make are an out for me for the time being unlike most vette owners are or want to appear I'm not made of money,,,anyone wanna buy me a set of the AFS black spokes? My bithday was the tenth.... :D :lol: :rofl: :lolg:
But seriously, I appreciate the offer on the wheels I sure do need wheels, you can email me how much you want out of them but you said you want what you have in them, if you bought them new, I doubt you will get new price for used :thumbs:
Cheers,
C.
the13bats@aol.com
[Modified by The13Bats, 9:35 AM 9/13/2003]
I believe 90% of the air-cooled veedubs out there run adapters which are no where near as nice as the vette ones vette brakes makes, I know people who run adapters on 11 second street buggies, I personally have only heard of one breaking yours being the second I know as fact the first story I heard it broke due to improper installation.
I'm not saying getting the right offset wheel isn't the right way to do it I'm asking if the adapters like vette brakes make are an out for me for the time being unlike most vette owners are or want to appear I'm not made of money,,,anyone wanna buy me a set of the AFS black spokes? My bithday was the tenth.... :D :lol: :rofl: :lolg:
But seriously, I appreciate the offer on the wheels I sure do need wheels, you can email me how much you want out of them but you said you want what you have in them, if you bought them new, I doubt you will get new price for used :thumbs:
Cheers,
C.
the13bats@aol.com
[Modified by The13Bats, 9:35 AM 9/13/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Wichita KS
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (vettek50)
then bought longer racing studs 128,000 tensile strength( do a search for the stud on forum).. works fine at speeds of 200k/hr.. :thumbs:
It happens to be the very reason your vehicle was built with hubcentric wheel locators.
IMHO, just because someone "got away with it in the past" does not make it an acceptable practice. If the studs shear off & you loose a wheel on a public highway it becomes a safety issue for everyone on the road.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth,Va USA
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (The13Bats)
I bought the spacers from Ecklers $200. about 2 years ago. for my 96 Sawblades. Easy to install. I've had no problems with them.
Good luck with your decision..
Good luck with your decision..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Wichita KS
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (Rick Williams)
If you think it can't happen, read this current thread over on the action center.. If you read the 2nd paragraph of the very first post he is using wheel spacers.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...5&pagenumber=1
[Modified by superlund, 12:50 PM 9/13/2003]
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...5&pagenumber=1
[Modified by superlund, 12:50 PM 9/13/2003]
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: copperas cove, texas
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (superlund)
I have a set of new in the box wheel adapters from mid-america that I bought to mount y2ks on an '84. They were the wrong thickness for that wheel so I wasn't able to use them. If you are interested I'll sell them to you for $100. plus shipping. I also would not use spacers but am comfortable with adapters of high quality in a non-competition application. The adapters I'm using are on an '84 that has 423RWH and a heavily modified 700r4 with 3.73 gears and(upon close and constant intial inspection)show no signs of problems. Just my two cents :cool:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
Re: wheel adapters, safe or widow makers??? (427t-top)
I changed my stock tire/wheel setup & did not use spacers/adaptors. I would not have made the modification if it involved spacers. Just a personal choice. No bad experiences to back it up.