C6 wheels on a C5? Can it be done?

[JR_Vette]

After doing some research, I have found the following specs for the C6 wheel :

Front : 18x8.5 with a 56mm offset
Rear : 19x10 with a 79mm offset

So the question is, will they work? The list price on the polished wheels is $608 for the fronts, and $625 for the rears with a price of around $370 per wheel from a few of the online GM Parts distributors.

I REALLY like the looks of these wheels, and would love to put them on my 99, but I have no clue if it's even possible. I know you can put these size aftermarket wheels on, but will GM's #'s above work? Also, IF they work, what tire size should I go with?

C4C5Specialist, have you heard of anybody doing this? How bad am I going to screwup my active handling?

For those who are interesting, here are the GM part #'s :

Front 9594351
Rear 9594353

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
My only concern would be the active handling.
I know for a fact that the bolt patterns are the same, and you should be able to do this without any real problems.
Yes, the rolling circumference of the tire may not optimize the active handling, but it still should work without setting codes.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[JR_Vette]

HI there,
My only concern would be the active handling.
I know for a fact that the bolt patterns are the same, and you should be able to do this without any real problems.
Yes, the rolling circumference of the tire may not optimize the active handling, but it still should work without setting codes.
Allthebest, c4c5

Thanks! I may wait a few months to let someone else be the guineypig!

 

[jcs712]

Another option you may want to consider is aftermarket. There are already some aftermarket suppliers making the C6 style wheel in sizes to fit the C5. I saw them at Carlise this past weekend. Try BJ's Chrome or OEM Concepts. OEM Concepts has the C6 wheel in the 18/17s currently on the C5.

 

[JBsC5]

I am of the belief that the aftermarket wheels are not as good or as light as OEM rims..


Someone will test this out and we'll get the answer shortly..

1600 for 18/19 inch rims is a cool way to go and they look sharp..

I am looking into putting the GM Z06 C6 rims on...

If it fits it will be a hell of a "bang for the buck" mod..

Might be worth waiting ?

 

[corvettecrazy]

In therory couldn't you get tires with a reduced sidewall so that you have the same overall rolling circumference but with larger rims. There is a name for that but I forget it.

 

[jcs712]

I am of the belief that the aftermarket wheels are not as good or as light as OEM rims..


Someone will test this out and we'll get the answer shortly..

1600 for 18/19 inch rims is a cool way to go and they look sharp..

I am looking into putting the GM Z06 C6 rims on...

If it fits it will be a hell of a "bang for the buck" mod..

Might be worth waiting ?

To say that aftermarket wheels are not as good as or light as OEM wheels is just flat out incorrect. Take a look at what is happening at SEMA every year in aftermarket wheels. Aftermarket wheels have become a huge industry. Different wheels serve differnt purposes. If you want light, you go with a racing wheel. If you want stong, you go with a forged wheel. I can tell you most folks are not running down to their local dealers to put on OEM wheels. More often then not, OEMs lack style, are cast aluminum and are heavy. You get what you pay for is my belief. If you want stonger high quality wheels, you go with something like a forged aluminum wheel like HREs. Cast aluminum wheels are okay for everyday driving but will not be as stong as forged. I bet the OEM C6 wheels are cast but I really do not know. I am sure they are very good. My recommendation above to look at OEM Concepts was simply to point out these folks have designed a C6 style wheel specifically for the C5. Here, there is not doubt they will work.

As for the tire sizing, yes you can reduce the sidewall height of the tire to compensate for an increase in rim diameter. This is called plus sizing. To do the C6 wheels on the C5, you are likely looking to go Plus 1 on the tires. Call the Tire Rack and they can set you straight on what will work best with your C5.

 

[JBsC5]

There are excellent aftermarket rims available from certain manufacturers..

Personally I would check the weights of rims before buying aftermarket..but thats just me...

I like the CCW 19 inch rims the best ....still theres something to be said for Corvette engineering...

Looking at the weights of some aftermarket rims...remember that unsprung weight is your cars enemy...and I would never buy rims without checking the Weight of them...

Good luck...but I think GM rims are an exciting possibility...

When its time I'll long and hard at the C6 Z06 rims for under 400 a piece..especially if they are 20's or 19's.....and the tires to fit...

I hope a lot of guys eventually go for aftermarket rims on the C6 Z06..as it will make it that much less expensive for me...

Experience the benefit of reducing unsprung weight first hand and thats all it took for me to be a believer..(25 lbs of unsprung weight reduction on my 99 C5 and all I can say is WOW!)

Anybody with any concern on ride harshness with their C5 but wanting runflat capability...would do well with converting to the factory C6 wheel and tire packages ..Some may eventually be available as guys go for the "aftermarket look" on their C6's..

Dam fine 18 and 19 inch package...If I had a coupe or vert...I'd definitely be thinking of the good years...I've heard they are an amazing tire.

Last word Check wheel Weights...Sometimes its an aftermarket hell.

 

[lov-n-life]

Another option you may want to consider is aftermarket. There are already some aftermarket suppliers making the C6 style wheel in sizes to fit the C5. I saw them at Carlise this past weekend. Try BJ's Chrome or OEM Concepts. OEM Concepts has the C6 wheel in the 18/17s currently on the C5.

How about some links to these suppliers? Not having any luck with Google.

 

[JBsC5]

I would never buy aftermarket copy rims as they are heavier than GM rims..


I would buy from Ken Fitchner Chevy in Montana..or one of the supporting dealers here on this site.

I know Ken will have them as the supply catches up and have good prices..

I'm looking foward to the Z06 C6 rims and tires when my existing tires wear out.

Less than 400 a piece and GM quality.(weight)

Increasing unsprung weight has a dramatic effect on a cars perfromance..

IMHO Waiting a short period for GM suppliers is worth the lower weight

JMO

 

[motorman]

To say that aftermarket wheels are not as good as or light as OEM wheels is just flat out incorrect. Take a look at what is happening at SEMA every year in aftermarket wheels. Aftermarket wheels have become a huge industry. Different wheels serve differnt purposes. If you want light, you go with a racing wheel. If you want stong, you go with a forged wheel. I can tell you most folks are not running down to their local dealers to put on OEM wheels. More often then not, OEMs lack style, are cast aluminum and are heavy. You get what you pay for is my belief. If you want stonger high quality wheels, you go with something like a forged aluminum wheel like HREs. Cast aluminum wheels are okay for everyday driving but will not be as stong as forged. I bet the OEM C6 wheels are cast but I really do not know. I am sure they are very good. My recommendation above to look at OEM Concepts was simply to point out these folks have designed a C6 style wheel specifically for the C5. Here, there is not doubt they will work.

As for the tire sizing, yes you can reduce the sidewall height of the tire to compensate for an increase in rim diameter. This is called plus sizing. To do the C6 wheels on the C5, you are likely looking to go Plus 1 on the tires. Call the Tire Rack and they can set you straight on what will work best with your C5.

all cast wheeels are not the same even though they are "cast" as there are different casting processes and GM supplier uses a special casting process that assures a more uniform casting to prevent balance and porosity problems. i think they are cast in australia

 

[JBsC5]

As an example the 2002 Z06 rims are squeeze cast to make them lighter than the forged 2001 Z06 rims..


I don't know that the C6 rims are squeeze cast like the C5 Z06 produced in 2002 and newer but the quality of the casting is superior to aftermarket..and I would only buy GM quality for look a like rims..

Want to go aftermarket..? then consider CCW's or other reputable producers like Ronal or Fiske etc..

Why add weight with look a likes?

 

[jcs712]

How about some links to these suppliers? Not having any luck with Google.

Sorry, no links. Just go to your local news stand and pickup any of the Corvette magazines. These folks advertise in all of them. I get Corvette Magazine, Vette, and Corvette Fever. Sorry I could not get you any more specifics.

 

[Memf2dafizzo]

West Coast Corvettes are taking orders for the C6 reproduction wheels that will be a direct bolt-on for the C5's. The wheels will be sold in 17, 18 and 19 inch sizes. They even have other wheels in 19" and 20" wheel packages for the C5 with no modifications. And they come as wide as 11 inches for the rears. Go to www.westcoastcorvette.com and click on "Wheel and Tire packages". I'm not sure if the C6 wheels are on the website but if you request a free magazine they're definitely in it.