C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Wheel adapters..... Are they safe??

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Old Nov 25, 2004 | 04:16 PM
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Default Wheel adapters..... Are they safe??

I called AFS and am trying to get some 17x11s for the rear wheels for my 86, but they say that they are all out of them, and they have no idea when they will be getting more. I need tires REALLY bad for the back, but I have absolutely no desire to leave the stock 16x8.5 rims on, so I don't want to buy tires for them. Will wheel adapters work so I can use the AFS black ZR1 wheels for the 88-96?? Are they safe, and are they any problems with these that I should know about? I am trying to explorer my options. Thanks.
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Old Nov 25, 2004 | 08:25 PM
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Be very careful with wheel adapters. I had a friend order a set years ago and they failed with the wheel leaving the car at speed. Not a pretty sight. I would make sure they have some sort of SEMA or other rating on them for safety, especially if they are of an aluminum design. As for me, I wouldn't trust them. I'd rather be patient and get the correct wheel that bolts securly up to the car and not have to worry about some quality control issue wiping out my car or my life. JMHO. You might want to check other suppliers to see if you can find a correct fit.
Brad
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Old Nov 25, 2004 | 08:30 PM
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I've had the adapters on my car for 5 years now with no problems at all. This subject came up a while back and one or more members stated they used them while autocrossing with no failures. As was stated, get the good ones but they go for over $200 a set.
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Old Nov 25, 2004 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Midnight 85
I've had the adapters on my car for 5 years now with no problems at all. This subject came up a while back and one or more members stated they used them while autocrossing with no failures. As was stated, get the good ones but they go for over $200 a set.
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Old Nov 25, 2004 | 10:13 PM
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Default Good ones???

By good ones, are you refering to the ones such as Ecklers or VBP?

They bolt to the existing studs and have new studs mounted in them.....Is this what you mean?
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Old Nov 25, 2004 | 10:19 PM
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I've seen adapters I wouldn't use on a wheelbarrow and ones that I'd have no problem running on a street car. When you've seen both, you'll know what I mean.
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Old Nov 25, 2004 | 10:45 PM
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These are oem `96 CE wheels on my `87 without any adapters. I think they look fine.
[IMG][/IMG]
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Old Nov 26, 2004 | 01:00 AM
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Originally Posted by 1987C4
Be very careful with wheel adapters. I had a friend order a set years ago and they failed with the wheel leaving the car at speed. Not a pretty sight. I would make sure they have some sort of SEMA or other rating on them for safety, especially if they are of an aluminum design. As for me, I wouldn't trust them. I'd rather be patient and get the correct wheel that bolts securly up to the car and not have to worry about some quality control issue wiping out my car or my life. JMHO. You might want to check other suppliers to see if you can find a correct fit.
Brad

What other suppliers? For Wheels? I have been looking. I have no knowledge of other suppliers. I pretty much looked on ebay, and did a search in MSN. I couldn't find anything. If any of you know a supplier that has wheels for 84-87, please chime in and tell me their web site.

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Old Nov 26, 2004 | 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted by kenv
These are oem `96 CE wheels on my `87 without any adapters. I think they look fine.
[IMG][/IMG]

Interesting... I can't tell much defference. What size tires are those? I wanna up my stock 16x8.5 all around to 17x9.5 in front and 17x11 on back. If I got these for 88-96, would they bolt up securly, and how would they look? I don't want it to look odd... I will be putting GoodYear F1s on it all around with the new rims.

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Old Nov 26, 2004 | 04:45 AM
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Has anyone bought these from ebay?? I know they are 1/4" wider than what they should be, but the price is good, and they are the 'hub-centric' type.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
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Old Nov 26, 2004 | 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by darkman5001
I called AFS and am trying to get some 17x11s for the rear wheels for my 86, but they say that they are all out of them, and they have no idea when they will be getting more. I need tires REALLY bad for the back, but I have absolutely no desire to leave the stock 16x8.5 rims on, so I don't want to buy tires for them. Will wheel adapters work so I can use the AFS black ZR1 wheels for the 88-96?? Are they safe, and are they any problems with these that I should know about? I am trying to explorer my options. Thanks.
How about going with 12" wheels, work great on mine. I bought some adapters once, brought them right back. The offset seems to be critical with wheels this size. With 12" you can run 315's, I run 315's front & 335's rear.
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Old Nov 26, 2004 | 09:24 PM
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I'm running 17 x 8.5" Y2k's on my 87 Vert with 1 1/4" adaptors with no problems.
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Old Nov 26, 2004 | 09:43 PM
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some members on turbobuick.com run 10-11 second cars with wheel adapters, porshe guys use them for autocrossing and whatever I used wheel spacers for years and years and years, so I guess as stated check the manufacturer and as stated on the other post something about a wheel barrel type, you do the math, imho Ive had no probs and used them on several cars and would use them and not think twice about the matter
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Old Nov 26, 2004 | 10:26 PM
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Silver
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...936217340&rd=1

1 day left with a no reserve auction. It is sitting at 105 dollars.

The user "Cleaning out the Garage" is AFS I have been told. I have bought wheels from him, no problems.

Black Ones
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...937040543&rd=1

Silver
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...937018695&rd=1

There are 3 more auctions as well, all no reserve. I just recently picked up a set of silver for 300 off ebay, plus another 60 shipped from FL for all 4.
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Old Nov 27, 2004 | 12:05 AM
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thanks for the heads up trizney

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