I just recently purchased some 16" Iroc wheels off of e-bay to put on my car that has the stock 15" wheels. Being that my car is not an Iroc will I have any issues? Up front I have the quick ratio steering box if that matters along with the 1LE brakes. In the rear I have the stock drum brakes. Can someone tell me if I will have any issues putting in the wheels with 245/50/R16 tires? Thanks.

 

You shouldn't have any problems as long as you pay attention to front/rear wheels.If you have cast iron drums you may need the factory spacer for the rear wheels.I have 16" single line IROC wheels on my '83 Z28 with 235/55-16 and haven't had any problems(only difference is she has rear disc brakes).

 

82-84 cars might rub the front wheel liners slightly at full lock. The wheel liners and steering stops in 85 and up are slightly different to eliminate the rub.

 

You shouldn't have any issues. I have single line irocs on my 83Z and have no problems. Go for it.

 

Well hopefully I do not need the spacers because they have been discontinued. The spacer is 0.030" thick which is ridiculously thin. I replaced the iron drums with aluminium but I do not know if that matters.

 

The 16" wheels are a direct fit. You will have no issues and do not require any spacers. Just pay attention to the rims. Two should say front and two should say rear on the rim itself. This is because they have slightly different offsets. This will not affect fit.

 

To ward off any potential problem with the steering box area, you might consider a Wonderbar.

JamesC

 

I had a wonderbar installed but it interfered with the lower radiator hose for the V6 I have.

 

They all do on non Iroc cars.

Put it back, it wont cause any damage and it will save your front frame and steering box from excess wear and tare.

 

I finally put on the 16" double stripe IROC wheels. The fronts are VERY close to hitting the inner fender skirt when turned to full lock. I noticed they left some heat marks on the fender skirt from barely touching. I think a piece of paper could fit between the tire and fender skirt but that is about it. Were the factory tolerances that close? Maybe the tires I got have more tread on them than the stock tires. I got the BFGoodrich Super Sport A/S tires 245/50.

 

Maybe the steering box is the issue.

JamesC

 

Spring sag could be the cause of your clearance problem if you haven't replaced themAnd as JamesC pointed out the steering box could be an issue as the 15" and 16" versions had different stops.

 

Well I replaced the springs a year or two ago. In fact the entire suspension is new from the tubular a-arms up to the upper strut mounts. The steering gear was replaced with the quick ratio gear the IROCs used. When the steering gear was replaced my mechanic didn't see anything wrong. Can someone tell me if the stops for the steering gear are internal or external? I assume those stops for the gear are an internal mechanism. Either way it does not rub when I am driving and maybe once in a while in a parking lot. Once a 1/32 of tire wears off they should be good. Another thing I did not check is the tire pressure. The guys who put on the tires thought it should be 35psi and I believe it is 30psi.

 

OE is 30. Can't imagine, however, that would be a significant difference.

JamesC

 

I didn't think the pressures would be a difference either. I checked them and they were all at 30. Well either way the rubbing is minimal and at slow speeds and excessive lock. I think I should be alright.

 

My mechanic wants to slot the caster slots on my car so he can put more caster in. Do you think this is a good idea? For some reason I do not think this is a good idea. My GM shop manual says that 5 degrees positive caster is attainable. I am not sure why shops cannot get 5 degrees positive caster.