C5 Vette wheels

[#1611 - Ty]

I have a lead on some stock C5 Vette rims. He tells me it's 2-17" and 2-18" rims. I'm wondering if anyone here has put on stock C5 and what offset are they? Need spacers? any help would be good

Thanks

Wilson

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: C5 Vette wheels

Hey Wilson....

The sizes should be: 17" x 8.5" and 18" x 9.5". The offsets are different on the front and rear. I think the rears are like 65mm offset. Don't remember the fronts. You are very likely to need spacers for at least the rears (the 65mm offset is a pretty big backspace, something like 7 1/4")

There are a couple different styles:
'97 to '99 ran the "Wagon Wheels", which are pretty cheap because none of the vette guys want them, you can pick them up for $40 to $50 a piece in good condition. Wagons aren't the lightest, but aren't bad, rears are about 23lbs

The next style is the "Thin Spokes" which came out in 2000 and are much more sought after, don't have a price. Pretty light too, 18 x 9.5" rears are in the 21 to 22 lb range.

There were also true magnesium wheels available for certain years that are pretty hard to find and $$$ (they were a $3000 option on a new vette and saved about 2 lbs per wheel, big deal). Most of the mags are way too much money and have finish issues. Rears are about 19 to 20lbs

The Z06 rims (from '02 to '04) are 1" wider (17 x 9.5 & 18 x 10.5) than the standard wheels and I think have different offsets. There are alot of cheap imported knockoffs of the Z06 rims around, but they're also heavy. The true GM ones are in the same range as the thin spokes (21 to 22lb range) which is good considering they're 1" wider (and varies by year because the wheel manufacturer changed, one manufacturer forged them (slightly heavier), the other spuncast the wheels). The imports are quite a bit heavier, with rears typically in the 26 to 28 lb range.

Sorry I can't help any more on the offsets. If you're serious about these rims, surf on CorvetteForum, check out the ForSale section and make sure you get a decent deal.

Only reason I know anything about this stuff is I've got a set of 4 rear wagon wheels (18" x 9.5") to go on my 1999 Bravada, once I finish the 6.0L / 4L80E swap and decide on tires.

'JustDreamin'

 

[tnsyty]

Re: C5 Vette wheels

I run 4 18" wagon wheels on my typhoon with no spacers. the rear wheels tuck under a little bit, but it doesn't bother me too bad. I an going to get spacers eventually. The front looks perfect. I put the 17's on the front, and they looked decent, but i liked the look of 18's all around. I have 2 full sets of wagon wheels so I can swap 17's 18's whenever.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: C5 Vette wheels

did you have to lower it or do anything to the suspension?

any problems with wheel clearance when turning?

what tyres?

looks very good

 

[tnsyty]

Re: C5 Vette wheels

I have 2" blocks in the back and have the torsion bars cranked down. you don't have to do that. My tires are too tall. I am running 275/40/18's on all 4. The fronts will rub if turned all the way. I am guessing that 265/35/18 would fit much better.