So, I jumped on a local deal to get a set of C5 Wheels with Tires for $450. They've got some curb rash all around the edges, but it's definitely fixable. Just scuffing. And since they go for $800+ new, I figured with tires I was stealing them for that price. They're this style (attached picture)



They have GM factory numbers on them, but I didn't know the C5 ever came with four 18's. I always thought they were staggered front/rear. They're a 245/40/18 up front, which I think means it's an 18" by 8.5" wheel, and the rears have 285/35/18, and I think they're 9.5" wide wheel.

They came with center caps, and he replaced the tires on the front two wheels with brand new tires (Riken Raptor ZR's all around), but he bought one more tire to swap out on one of the rear rims, but he assumed they're all the same size, so I have a spare tire for the front.

Now, do they sound like they might be the widths I said? I'm not looking to do a lot of clearancing, so what size adapters should I run? Everyone says 2" up front, but do I run a 2" or a 2.25" out back? No one has given a definitive answer, or posted pics. I'd like to keep 'em tucked, but if that's not possible, I'd at least like them to stick out as little as possible.

 

i used a 4th gen rear out back with the 18x9.5 that rear is 2" wider than the 3rd gen and up front was 2.5. the wheels are still tucked however the look flush at different angles.

 

So you say with my 3rd gen rear, I should use 2" rear and 2.5" front? Darnit. I thought the front 2" was a for sure. Anyone else with any feedback?

 

the 2.5 is what i used cause i like the wheel to sit similar to the BMW close to the fender LIP. 2" will work also.

 

So they're actually 4 18 x 9.5" wheels. I went out to my storage unit, and even though they have different sized tires, all of the wheels have a little R18x9.5 on the inside.

The factory tires for these wheels are too tall (275/40/18) So what size is recommended? 275/35/18 is close to stock diameter. 245/40/18 and 315(or 325)/30/18 is close as well. 315 seems a little wide for a 9.5" wide wheel, so it'd be 245/40/18 which are already mounted on the front, but I feel would be a waste of good wide wheels, so I guess the 275/35/18 is what people go with?

 

I thought about gettig a set of 17's like those when I get the LT1 rear later this month. I like them.

 

The C6's are my favorite five spokes, other than the IROC's, but these were SO cheap I couldn't pass 'em up. Gatta call a wheel shop about fixing the curb rash they have.

 

if chrome and curbrashed you can't fix. actually if you really search those specific 18's go for about $150 a rim new. there are several companies that have a mold for that style wheel. to suggest the right adapter we need to know what the rim offset is. for example oe concepts makes a 18x9.5 in a different width then say detroit replicas.

now with that said there are also 18x8 versions of that wheel out on the market so make sure it truly is a 9.5 and then find out the backspacing/offset of each rim. don't assume for any of it.

once you have those numbers come back here and i can tell you more. before you get to far into the project i will tell you i personally didn't like adapters, they were expensive for good ones, i always was breaking a stud or two and the car felt horrible with them.

but again my opinion, get the info and i can help more if it's needed.

 

I was gonna get them powdercoated instead of chromed/polished, so they'd just need to be filled. I think you could chrome them if they welded on some metal and then sanded them down too, as long as the metal could be chromed anyway. But a polished finish is probably impossible, or at least prohibitively expensive.

They're four factory 18x9.5 rears. I don't know the factory backspacing, I guess I'd have to figure it out with a couple of straight edges.

 

take a piece of cardboard and measure. takes less then a minute and it's crutial to any more help.

as for powdercoating yes... good luck finding a stripper that won't charge you an arm and a leg to remove the chrome as it has to go before the wheels can be powdercoated which is a major pain.

however yes obviously you can strip the chrome and fix the wheels but do you know someone to do this for you? by the time you are done, even powdercoating if you know someone real good you should have bought the satin finish for $400 new and done all of this as well. you could have gotten a set more narrow to fit your car and probably with a better offset. if you have anything larger then a +60 offset you'll need 2.25" or larger adapter for the fronts and a bit less for the rear. chances are your offset is +54 or +58 which a 2" is good.

either way figure it out and then you'll get an answer as to what you need!

to fix curb rash, strip chrome and powdercoat you will spend hundreds.

good luck!