wheels
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
first, you need to know the wheel width and offset. most tires have a "design" rim width, with a +/- factor. other factors that need consideration besides the thread width is the aspect ratio. on stock wheels, you can usually increase the tire width 10mm, but decrease the aspect ratio 5%. this keeps your overall tire diameter, and revolutions per mile within tolerance. for offset (and i'm not a tire engineer or suspension engineer here), but i think it's wise to keep the wheel/tire assembly center (width) in line with wheel bearing assembly centerline for loading purposes. this is controlled by the wheel offset. other things to consider is any interference to the inner fenders from extreme right and left turns - lock to lock. maybe someone can clarify this...
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 1
From: TORONTO
I recommend you stick with stock sizes and offsets unless you plan a wide body conversion. Going with a larger width - which the tires can handle (up to an inch I have been told by those that have done it) you risk rubbing from the tires into the fenders or other functional issues.
I believe the "Replica" wheels are designed to fit the Corvettes with no issues though.
Just my two cents.
I believe the "Replica" wheels are designed to fit the Corvettes with no issues though.
Just my two cents.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Contact someone knowledgeable like John at CCW or the manufacturer of the wheels you want. Offsets and other factors are critical when upsizing wheels and tires.
I recently installed CCW SP16A wheels, 9.5” x 18” front / 11” x 19” rear with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar EMT’s...275/35ZR18 front / 325/30ZR19 rear (stock Z06 tires). The fronts have a backspacing at 7.75" which is 64mm offset. The rears have 9.15" backspacing which is 79-80mm offset. With the proper offset I could have gone to a 10" wide wheel in the front.
When I had the car in-the-air the rear wheels were actually rubbing against the rear brake air ducts, however, when the car was lowered onto the ground (with the suspension under load) sufficient clearance was achieved. Having expert guidance with the particular wheels/tires you want is necessary.
I recently installed CCW SP16A wheels, 9.5” x 18” front / 11” x 19” rear with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar EMT’s...275/35ZR18 front / 325/30ZR19 rear (stock Z06 tires). The fronts have a backspacing at 7.75" which is 64mm offset. The rears have 9.15" backspacing which is 79-80mm offset. With the proper offset I could have gone to a 10" wide wheel in the front.
When I had the car in-the-air the rear wheels were actually rubbing against the rear brake air ducts, however, when the car was lowered onto the ground (with the suspension under load) sufficient clearance was achieved. Having expert guidance with the particular wheels/tires you want is necessary.
