widening wheels
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,226
Likes: 65
From: West hills California
widening wheels
just wondering if anyone has done this or knows who does as I was reading a mag and it had a firebird with stock widened wheels and I was thinking that maybe z06 or motorsports could be widened to fit a bigger rear without spending big bucks.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett IL
If you widen them you could only add to the inside. If you wan't your offset to be correct you would have to run a spacer. Why not put your rears on the front and get some aftermarket 18x12 zo6 wheels for the rear?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Originally Posted by c5wolf
just wondering if anyone has done this or knows who does as I was reading a mag and it had a firebird with stock widened wheels and I was thinking that maybe z06 or motorsports could be widened to fit a bigger rear without spending big bucks.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett IL
You could buy 18x12 2001 up and zo6 wheels, no wagon wheels and no 2000 thin spokes. I "think" if I rember correctly you can get 18x10.5 (chrome only) thin spokes. I guess the reason is the strength of the thinner spokes isn't enough for 12'' wide wheels. I have a 2000 frc and I liked the look of the oem silver wheels but needed more tire. I ended up with ccw's and love them.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by R6_C5_ML430
Vaughn Machine in Monrovia, CA (626 358-6413) made me some 18 x 12.5 2001 thin spokes using factory 18 x 9.5 forged rears with HRE spun aluminum inner barrels.
It is always far more prudent to purchase wheels from manufacturers that already make the appropriate sizing and correct offset that you specifically require. Do a search and you will find that there are a number of "Repro-Wheel" vendors that provide wider o.e. style wheels. However, as mentioned above, Erick Vaughn of Vaughn Machine is an excellent choice. Erick has thirty years experience in narrowing and widening steel and alloy wheels for such important notables as Boyd Coddington. And, I would highly recommend his services. Just be sure of the wheel measurement that you require in the process. 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Cost is case dependent. It would be wise to call Erick at Vaughn Machine. Explain your specific goals regarding widening; with what wheels; what extra width is needed; and, with what extra rim halves. In general, widening of wheels can cost between $125 to $200 per wheel, or, more. This cost would not include chroming, polishing, or, painting. Good luck to you.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,556
Likes: 52
From: SoCal Twin Turbo, Any Questions?
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
anyone know somewhere closer to pennsylvania that does this? i dont want to ship my wheels across the country and back, thatll cost as much as getting teh work done 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Originally Posted by NAVY08
anyone know somewhere closer to pennsylvania that does this? i dont want to ship my wheels across the country and back, thatll cost as much as getting teh work done
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
From: Johnston, Iowa
