I'm looking for new wheels but want sizes that will fit the new tires I bought last year (only got a couple 1000 miles on tires). So the serch continues 
Considering new wheels
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 25
From: West Lafayette IN
Considering new wheels
I currently have Y2K's on my car. The clear is coming off a little on them so I'm thinking good time to upgrade.
I really like the spider style wheels. So I've been looking for some of them. I'm thinking of sticking with the stock sizes just so I can keep and use my current new tires I just bought end of last years driving season. I found some on West Coast's site. Anyone know of any others.
I still really like the C6 5 spoke too. Just not sure about them.
Picking out wheels seems like such a hard process and it shouldn't be.
I really like the spider style wheels. So I've been looking for some of them. I'm thinking of sticking with the stock sizes just so I can keep and use my current new tires I just bought end of last years driving season. I found some on West Coast's site. Anyone know of any others.
I still really like the C6 5 spoke too. Just not sure about them.
Picking out wheels seems like such a hard process and it shouldn't be.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Yes you are in for a great time of trying to decide between wheels, i went through that process about 5 months ago. I was constantly changing my mind...one piece of advice that I used was to search through the for sale section. Not only can you find a good price if going that route interests you but you will see plenty of pictures of wheels on cars there to help with your choice. Best of luck 
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
We don't have the spiders yet, but we might have some you like:
http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/categ...?categoryId=19
http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/categ...?categoryId=19
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 25
From: West Lafayette IN
I was looking at your site. You have some, but I noticed all the 17's are pretty much 9.5" wheels. I have 8.5" right now. So I'd have to buy new tires too then. Still a option, but need to consider more things first.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 2
From: Monument CO
I'm in the exact same boat, bought new stock size tires and want C6 Z06 black w/machine faced finish wheels. Can go as large as 9 in the front and 10 in the back. Currently looking at Corvette Wheels, Corvette Garage, and possibly House of Wheels (still emailing to clarify they have the correct sizes).
Good Luck
Good Luck
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
You can use the same size tires for the 17x9.5. We all do it
You will not find many (if any) 17x8.5 aftermarket wheels. They are too small. The only wheel we offer in 17x8.5 is the thin spokes.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I wouldn't say we all do it. The tire manufactures call for a wheel width of 7.5 to 9 for mounting a 245/45/17. I'm sure there are plenty of people who choose to ignore the recommendations, but I personally don't think it's a good idea, especially on a daily driver.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
You will have no problems.
Last edited by JW Motorsports; Jul 20, 2009 at 05:43 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 362
From: Maumelle AR
I have my first Vette, an '02 Coupe. I'm looking for new wheels as well, but what's really compounding my problem is "offsets". I want an aftermarket wheel that has an offset that flushes out the wheel with the body of the car. The stock factory thin spokes look puny on the car, and are set too far inside the fenderwell. I don't know what that factory offset is ... but I know I want something that does NOT have that same factory offset. Anyone know what I have ... and what offset I need?
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
Pm me Stew^^^ We have plenty of wheels that will make the rear look better. From the sounds of it you want a Z06 size tire in the rear (18x10.5).
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 28,845
Likes: 819
From: Parrish FL
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '26
I am ready to buy new wheels too. While I would like a set of CCW's I just can't justify the cost. Not that they are not worth the price but I can't spend that much. So, I am left to the reproduction market. Every time I think I am ready to buy I read another thread about reproductions that "weigh too much", "won't balance" or have chrome flaking problems. Any input will be appreciated (I am not hijacking this thread, I don't think!).
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
Shaggyboiler,
I was in the same boat as you are in, new tires on aged looking wheels on my new to me 99 C5.
From personal experience, they are a couple of factors to consider. Are you running
run-flats or not? Aftermarket China made wheels are heavier than Y2K but if you're not
using run flats, it's probably a wash. I bought stock size chrome C6Z06 Motorsport F.R. wheels from WCC and am very happy with the price, quality and service. The sensors
fit perfectly and they balanced fine.
The only regret I have is the look of the front 17" wheel...it hides too much of the front
caliper. The spider wheel is more open looking like the orig. Y2K.
I noticed a lot of wheel makers in FL only have the 9.5"w for the fronts. I checked with
BFG, my tire maker, and I could only go to a max. of 9" w so that's what I did, WCC
and a lot of others have the stock size. I'm not comfortable with Jason's comment about
"everyone" stretching tires to fit 9.5" w front wheels.
Jerry
I was in the same boat as you are in, new tires on aged looking wheels on my new to me 99 C5.
From personal experience, they are a couple of factors to consider. Are you running
run-flats or not? Aftermarket China made wheels are heavier than Y2K but if you're not
using run flats, it's probably a wash. I bought stock size chrome C6Z06 Motorsport F.R. wheels from WCC and am very happy with the price, quality and service. The sensors
fit perfectly and they balanced fine.
The only regret I have is the look of the front 17" wheel...it hides too much of the front
caliper. The spider wheel is more open looking like the orig. Y2K.
I noticed a lot of wheel makers in FL only have the 9.5"w for the fronts. I checked with
BFG, my tire maker, and I could only go to a max. of 9" w so that's what I did, WCC
and a lot of others have the stock size. I'm not comfortable with Jason's comment about
"everyone" stretching tires to fit 9.5" w front wheels.
Jerry
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,757
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Seeing how you're looking at replica wheels I assume you're not made of money(I like your style lol). I'd go with the C6Z Spyder wheels. The more I look at them the more I like them, they just look good and are fairly rare to find on other Corvettes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Check out this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ur-wheels.html
That should give you some ideas
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ur-wheels.html
That should give you some ideas
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
Go play on WCC site ... you can plug in your car color and just swap wheel sizes and
designs...it makes it a little easier to choose.
Btw, the offsets from mfg. "Factory Reproduction" wheels are really nice looking. If I
was starting out from scratch with new tires, I would go with 18 in front, 19 in back
in the c6zo6 motorsports. I like the c5z06 motorsports as well if you're not tired of
the same style centercaps as the y2k.
Jerry
designs...it makes it a little easier to choose.
Btw, the offsets from mfg. "Factory Reproduction" wheels are really nice looking. If I
was starting out from scratch with new tires, I would go with 18 in front, 19 in back
in the c6zo6 motorsports. I like the c5z06 motorsports as well if you're not tired of
the same style centercaps as the y2k.
Jerry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 362
From: Maumelle AR