Track width / wheel offsets .Pre /Post 88
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Track width / wheel offsets .Pre /Post 88
In a recent post, was it ever resolved where the differences in the track width were to result in the different wheel offsets (38 /56mm ) pre /post '88.
Reason being I have a set of J55 brakes (have complete '89 front end ) I want to fit to my '87.Rather than make adapters for the calipers I would prefer to fit whatever stock parts as needed ,the knuckle and A arms or whole crossmember if required.This also lets me upgrade to 17" sawblades without adapters at the front as the special offset 84-87 wheels are too expensive down here.I prefer not to run adapters on the front as I have had problems with these on other cars.
Any thoughts?
Reason being I have a set of J55 brakes (have complete '89 front end ) I want to fit to my '87.Rather than make adapters for the calipers I would prefer to fit whatever stock parts as needed ,the knuckle and A arms or whole crossmember if required.This also lets me upgrade to 17" sawblades without adapters at the front as the special offset 84-87 wheels are too expensive down here.I prefer not to run adapters on the front as I have had problems with these on other cars.
Any thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: Track width / wheel offsets .Pre /Post 88 (rodj)
Well...
I'm not exactly sure what your question is but I have an '87 and I use the later off-set 17" wheels with no adapters or spacers. This let's me run 315/35-17 tires without them sticking out past the fender wells and keeps the look I want.
FWIW,
BIG JIM
I'm not exactly sure what your question is but I have an '87 and I use the later off-set 17" wheels with no adapters or spacers. This let's me run 315/35-17 tires without them sticking out past the fender wells and keeps the look I want.
FWIW,
BIG JIM
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Re: Track width / wheel offsets .Pre /Post 88 (BIG JIM 54)
The question was.
Somewhere in the suspension there is a difference (in width )All rims pre/post '88 fit but hang out further than stock or in too far depending what are used on what model vette.
Special rims are available (AFS?) with the 38mm offset to suit 84-87 so that the track remains the same.
Where is this width difference built in?The knuckles or the A arms?
Somewhere in the suspension there is a difference (in width )All rims pre/post '88 fit but hang out further than stock or in too far depending what are used on what model vette.
Special rims are available (AFS?) with the 38mm offset to suit 84-87 so that the track remains the same.
Where is this width difference built in?The knuckles or the A arms?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: Middletown N.Y.
Re: Track width / wheel offsets .Pre /Post 88 (rodj)
Rodj, 84-87 vettes have a shorter track width than 88-96, I myself posted a topic about 2 weeks ago regarding the question how did GM do it. After looking at my car (89) and looking at a bunch of rear suspension parts from a 86 I have, I came to the conclusion that what GM did was change the rear spindle and outer axle and kept everything else pretty much interchangeable, on the front I'm not sure what they did but I know they changed the spindle and brakes and that's probably all they changed. If you put 88-96 wheels on a 84-87 the wheels, if they don't hit the inner wheel wells, the will look too far into the wells and if you do the opposite 84-87 on a 88-96 the wheels will stick out. That's why you can put original ZR1's 17x11 on the ft and rr of a 84-87 and they won't stick out as much as they would on a 88-96 you'd need that special offset you mentioned for 88-96's to have' em tuck in nicely. Just my .02 hope it answers your question. :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Track width / wheel offsets .Pre /Post 88 (JUAN J SANCHEZ)
Whatever they changed, it accounts for a big difference. I believe it's 1.125" wider in front between wheel mounting surfaces.
