C5 Widebody front / Control Arms
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Deptford NJ
C5 Widebody front / Control Arms
I am working to build a C5R and the body panels are currently being hand produced. This will widen my C5 by a good 6". Replacing the control arms would allow me to maintain stock sized wheels and overcome the recessed look that would accompany installing the fenders. Does anyone have any experience with a wider C5front end? or possibly some ideas on the best way to achieve a flush look between my wheels and new fenders. I haven't been able to locate a source for A/M control arms that would correct for this. Any input is appreciated, thanks guys.
Last edited by VetteC5Z51; Sep 4, 2009 at 10:59 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
They would have to be custom made, no products like that currently offered that I know of.
My want to contact Katech or Pratt-Miller and see if they have anything.
I have a wide body vette and just use after market rims made to fit.
My want to contact Katech or Pratt-Miller and see if they have anything.
I have a wide body vette and just use after market rims made to fit.
I am working to build a C5R and the body panels are currently being hand produced. This will widen my C5 by a good 6". Replacing the control arms would allow me to maintain stock sized wheels and overcome the recessed look that would accompany installing the fenders. Does anyone have any experience with a wider C5front end? or possibly some ideas on the best way to achieve a flush look between my wheels and new fenders. I haven't been able to locate a source for A/M control arms that would correct for this. Any input is appreciated, thanks guys.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
use 18x12 wheels too accommodate BBKs
i also run 18x12 with 18x305/30 or 18x315/30 and -2.0* camber. the tire 'just' fits under the stock fender.
But if I had normal street camber the wheel / tire would stick out over an 1" on each side/
Or here is one race shop that sells what you might be looking for
http://www.performanceracingonline.c...Path=2392_2397
or here http://www.joesracing.com/
you will also need many MANY other parts to make it work.
Last edited by AU N EGL; Sep 5, 2009 at 03:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,295
Likes: 40
From: East Coast fl
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Deptford NJ
Correct
use 18x12 wheels too accommodate BBKs
i also run 18x12 with 18x305/30 or 18x315/30 and -2.0* camber. the tire 'just' fits under the stock fender.
But if I had normal street camber the wheel / tire would stick out over an 1" on each side/
Or here is one race shop that sells what you might be looking for
http://www.performanceracingonline.c...Path=2392_2397
or here http://www.joesracing.com/
you will also need many MANY other parts to make it work.
use 18x12 wheels too accommodate BBKs
i also run 18x12 with 18x305/30 or 18x315/30 and -2.0* camber. the tire 'just' fits under the stock fender.
But if I had normal street camber the wheel / tire would stick out over an 1" on each side/
Or here is one race shop that sells what you might be looking for
http://www.performanceracingonline.c...Path=2392_2397
or here http://www.joesracing.com/
you will also need many MANY other parts to make it work.
Your right, I didn't want to keep stock rims but I hadn't found any wheels with a size / style mix that would work. AU N EGL, where did you get your wheels from? I'm thinking maybe that's the better bet.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
You're more or less into custom wheels here. Many of the higher end wheel companies will do custom wheels. Places like CCW (complete custom wheel) or Foose to randomly name 2that would make what you want. I think AU N EGL might have meant BBS - www.bbs.com - and I'd think they would build to fit too.
Talking suspension geometry. Won't a wheel that puts more rubber to the outside of the stock design change parts of the suspension geometry for the worse too?
Peter
Talking suspension geometry. Won't a wheel that puts more rubber to the outside of the stock design change parts of the suspension geometry for the worse too?
Peter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
one set of CCW Classic Street 18x10 18x275/35 and 18x12 18x335/30
two sets of CCW Classic Track 18x12 18x305/30 and 18x13 18x335/30
or 18x315/30f & 18x345/35r
Now the DOWN side of wide rims and tires.
The car, when driven slow, under 80 mph or in a parking lot will handle like pig wallowing in the mud. No two ways around it.
I would never put tires over 305 on a street car again.
on the race track it handles like a train on rails
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
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
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
You're more or less into custom wheels here. Many of the higher end wheel companies will do custom wheels. Places like CCW (complete custom wheel) or Foose to randomly name 2that would make what you want. I think AU N EGL might have meant BBS - www.bbs.com - and I'd think they would build to fit too.
Talking suspension geometry. Won't a wheel that puts more rubber to the outside of the stock design change parts of the suspension geometry for the worse too?
Peter
Talking suspension geometry. Won't a wheel that puts more rubber to the outside of the stock design change parts of the suspension geometry for the worse too?
Peter
BBS is a good company too. But not BBS street rims, the BBS motorsports wheels. BIG difference
18" wheels on all four corners, forget the 19" or 20" wheels, just not customizable sized and they weight to darn much
Now I run for an alignment
front
-2.5 camber
max but equal caster
1/16 toe OUR
rear
-1.5* camber
1/16 toe IN
no ranges but exact
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Your body kit seems to be a lot like mine in width.
- Go with 19" rims all the way around (F) 19 x 11 and (R) 19 x 12. Tire combo should be 305/19/30 and 345/19/30. Both Michelin PS2 and Nitto Invo have nice tires.
You'll also probably need some coil-overs.
- Go with 19" rims all the way around (F) 19 x 11 and (R) 19 x 12. Tire combo should be 305/19/30 and 345/19/30. Both Michelin PS2 and Nitto Invo have nice tires.
You'll also probably need some coil-overs.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Deptford NJ
Yeah I have decided to just find a set of aftermarket wheels. I was given the idea to replace the control arms and associated parts from someone else who purchased the same kit as I have and it turns out his is sitting in a shed someplace un-driveable. So far I have only been able to find BBS, HRE, and CCW as manufacturers of a/m wheels that will basically extend the width of my front wheels by about 2", is this correct? Wouldn't a wheel with simply a wide lip accomplish the same thing?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Yeah I have decided to just find a set of aftermarket wheels. I was given the idea to replace the control arms and associated parts from someone else who purchased the same kit as I have and it turns out his is sitting in a shed someplace un-driveable. So far I have only been able to find BBS, HRE, and CCW as manufacturers of a/m wheels that will basically extend the width of my front wheels by about 2", is this correct? Wouldn't a wheel with simply a wide lip accomplish the same thing?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
I then take those measurements and subtract a 1". Typically most rims "edge to edge" are 1" wider than the what there stated size is for the tire bead. Add in the 1/2" or so that the tire hangs over the bead and you should be close to flush.
Ideally, you should take a couple of blocks of wood and stick them under the "A" arms on one side and lower the car down on these blocks so that your suspension is not drooping when taking these measurements.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Deptford NJ
Thanks, the rear is fine and stock width/offset will be fine. It's only the front where I have to worry about a custom offset. I will try to get some measurements today, just to give you an idea here is what the car looks like
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Based on your pictures, the easiest thing to do would be to get a straight edge and meausre from the center hub with wheels on to the inner fender liip.
Subtract a 1/2" and tell them you're using stock rims to base your measurement off of.
They can add the stock measurement plus the additional width to figure out the correct spacing..
Don't get a wider rim as you can't have larger tires in the front vs the rear.
Subtract a 1/2" and tell them you're using stock rims to base your measurement off of.
They can add the stock measurement plus the additional width to figure out the correct spacing..
Don't get a wider rim as you can't have larger tires in the front vs the rear.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
You cannot run bigger tires in the front than the rear with out causing all kinds of abs and active handling problems.
18 x 11 rim does not mean ****, you need to know the off-sets.
You really don't seem to be that knowledgeable and I would take a few steps back before you throw a bunch of money down the toilet.
For the life of me I can't understand why you widen the front of the car but left the rear stock.
Your tire track is all screwed up .
It should be wider in the back like mine.
Last edited by ajg1915; Oct 15, 2009 at 10:36 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Rim offset caculations here --> http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp?postId=906
Wheel measurements and off set caculator on CCW web site
http://www.ccwheel.com/files/technical.php
Wheel measurements and off set caculator on CCW web site
http://www.ccwheel.com/files/technical.php