My uncle told me he would buy me a set of 17x9.5 wheels and tires for the wheels if I could prove they would fit without any modification. Meaning no cutting of the bumpstop, no using the BFH... no modification.

Can I look forward to some new wheels and tires?
Mike

Oh, they have to fit front and rear too.

 

I'm running 16"X9.5" all around on my cp car with 23.5 by 11.5 slicks and they fit fine with a 4.5" backspace. and my car is lowered about 2.5" i had to trim out my ground effects a little but thats all

 

17x9.5s all around with 5.5" backspace. 275/40R17 tires. They rub at full lock, but it doesn't cause any problems.

 

17x9.5 will fit the rears no prob. Just make sure your BS is correct. Mine is ever so slightly off, so im trimming the bumpstops for comfort, but you can have them fit and tuck in very well without any mod. You may even want to go with 17x10. That way you have a whole new market of tire open to you.

For the fronts, id go with 17x8.5. Which can support a 275/40/17 tire, and which is more than enough. It will fit easier too and not rub. Again get the BS right, or you may have to grind down the shock a bit. Ill see if i can get some pix.

 

Pictures would be great!

I don't think I mentioned this but he said they have to sit inside the wheel well. They can't even be flush with the fender lip.

It has to be 17x9.5 in the front too, or he wont hold up his end of the bargain. I don't want to cut the shocks/struts at all because they are brand new Koni's. Brand new as in, not even 50 miles yet.

 

I had 17x9.5 ZO6 corvette rims all the way around my car with 275/40/17 on them. They did not rub or need any mods. If I remember correctly the backspacing was 56mm and I used 2" wheel adapters and they fit perfect.

 

ROH Wheels offered a 17x9.5 and 18x10 that was a direct fit for our cars rear wheels. Do a search around here for backspacing. I have my wheels on the car now otherwise I'd measure them for you.

 

The Firehawks are 17x9.5 and I have no issues. Only issue was I had originally 15's and thus the 15" wheel steering stop. With the 16" wheel steering stop, you should be OK. Only had a slight scrub at the front inner fender plastic at the rear portion of it. Later year cars have a different inner fender liner part number and a recessed area. My 1986 had the earlier design.
I run the 275-40-17 tires front and rear.

 

They will fit with spacers. Im running 17x9.5 c6 vette wheels on all 4 corners using 2.25" spacers all around. they fit very well with no modifications. Check my previous posts theres pics

 

ONLY if you don't buy wheels that are direct fits. I doubt he gonna pony up even more $$, to "make" brand new wheels fit.

My ROH Snypers are 17" x 9"...zero offset...275s front, 285s rear...no rubbing, nothing. These are the older Snypers that ROH used to make, that require no adapters for 3rd gens. Afterwards, they went to 4th gen fit Snypers.

 

What do you mean by the first part?

In the second part are you referring to the amazingly high cost of adapters?

 

I quoted what I was referring to...The "need" for spacers/adapters. If you get wheels that FIT, you don't need those things.

 

RG-
The 17 x 9.5s Skulte sells go for $249- each. Not a bad price for a new wheel that fits with no spacers.
I think the first part was supposing $1K would be a bridge too far for family sponsorship. As you probably know, Ebay has some 4th gen wheels, and LOTS of Corvette wheels- most try to stay with GM. Most can be bought for much less than the Skulte tab.
PS- the 36 still makes me smile, everytime I take my 'bird out.

 

yea i know you dont need them, but you cant buy the newer vette wheels in our offset there made to fit 4th gen camaros, so they have alot of offset.

 

My uncle never mentioned anything about a limit on cost, but then again, I never asked.

I don't like the way the Skulte wheels look. I was thinking more like the ROH RT/Snyper/Fury wheels but they are like $800 a set aren't they? I am also leaning away from Corvette wheels just because everyone has them but if I had to get them I would probably get C5 thin spoke wheels because they are really light and provide a lot of empty space between spokes so teh brakes can cool off. I do know I want a machined finish, or dark gray wheels... something close to the color of the stripe down the spokes of my IROC wheels. I will not have chrome... I can't stand chrome on these cars.

Glad to hear the swaybar is working for you. If you need any other bars, chances are that I'll have it or can easily get it for you.

Mike

 

The other thing about ROH is they stopped distributing to the US this year so if you find them they are the last of their breed. ROH is concentrating on Europe and Australia (where they're made).

My is get a nice set of ROH 18x8 fronts and 18x10 rears that are a direct fit for our cars.

 

I would like to get 18" so I can go with huge brakes (C6) down the road, but I think 18's are too big for our cars. I don't know maybe I just haven't seen enough 3rd gens with 18s.