Procedure to use C6Z06 wheels on C5 with pics

[CorvetteMatthew]

I got tired of cheap Made in China junk rims, ie aftermarket z06 rims. They are made of thin cheap aluminum and bend so easy, had 2 bent wheels in 1 year never hitting anything, not a single mark anywhere on rim, yet bent. So I bought a set of 2008 Z06 rims in polished, wish chrome, but I am working on that, and went to fit the fronts and perfect, they stick out a fraction and make the car look tough as hell, sweeeeet. .. The problem came in the rear, straight mount they hit inner wheel well. I tried 1.5 inch spacer and it rode like crap, it was hubcentric and all, but balance was issue, plus unsafe if the inner bolts holding spacer on come loose. So I went and tubbed out my wheel wells 2-3 inches. It was a easy but time consuming job. if you cut just right, it actually is great and looks stock to some degree. I used fiberglass resin kit with cloth and it worked like a charm, used a ruber ised undercoat over the top to water seal it more and cut road noise on the mod. This job is not for everyone, this is my daily driver, I like performance, so I did not care about modifying the wheel tubs, you cant really tell unless you look real hard. I have to say, the performance is unbeleiveable, I have also installed a 2008 C6Z06 suspension, the sway bars will fit any vette from 97-2008 are the same, the shocks are also the same from 97-2008 on all 4, and the front spring is the same, just cant use a c6 spring on a c5, size different. this car handles like a 2008 z06, if not better, since a little longer wheelbase as I have a 2008 in the family, brother went with coil overs so got his suspension parts, sweet. you can find them cheap on ebay and craigslist if you want to upgrade your c5 for low money. I tried to post pics, if it doesn't work, will repost pics after this..

try going to this site for pics, trying to get posted here though..

www.s768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/corvettematthew/

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[CorvetteMatthew]

AND OF COURSE HERE IS THE NEW 2008 C6Z06 SUSPENSION SHOCKS AND SWAYBARS, ONLY THE REAR PICTURED, BUT DID WHOLE CAR WITH THE FRONT GETTING THE C6Z06 TRANSVERSE SPRING INSTALLED TOO, REAR SPRING ONLY PART THAT WONT FIT A C5. LOVING THE HANDLING NOW, AND WITH THIS HUGE 3 INCH TUBBING, INSIDE CARPET WAS TOUGH TO REFIT, JUST TAKES WORK AND FITTING.. WILL POST INSIDE FINAL PIC, I BELEIVE THE ROOF WILL NOT FIT IN TRUNK NOW, MAYBE, WILL UPDATE THAT TOO LATER TODAY.. PLEASE EMAIL QUESTIONS, MAY TAKE A DAY PLUS TO ANSWER, BUT WILL DO MY BEST.. THIS IS A VERY WELL WORTH PROJECT AS I WILL HAVE 19X10 FRONTS AND 20X13 REARS LATER WITH A 355 SERIES WIDE TIRE, THIS WILL ALLOW ME TO JUST BOLT THOSE ON. SPACERS ARE JUNK, UNSAFE AND MAKE WHEEL STICK OUT WAY TO FAR AND WONT BALANCE EVEN WITH HUBCENTRIC ADAPTERS, I TRIED, THIS LOOKS RACE FACTORY, LOOKS TOUGH BUT STICKS OUT MAYBE 1/3 OF AN INCH, ENOUGH TO MAKE LOOK GREAT AND HANDLE LIKE A C6R CAR, LOL, GOOD LUCK....

 

[CorvetteMatthew]

Here is the finished trunk area, carpet fits, the super shine is meguires shine interior, not black paint, contrast is crazy I know...

here is yellow 2002 c5 with c6z06 suspension and wheels, shows how tires slightly stick out, and stance..

AND MY 1985 SHOW CAR WITH MICHELIN PILOT SPORT PS2 335/35/17 REARS AND 275/40/17 FRONTS ON ZR1 WHEELS...

THERE WAS NO TUBBING REQUIRED ON THE 1985, JUST GRINDING 5 MILS OFF THE REAR TRAILING ARM BRAKETS CONNECTED TO BODY IN FRONT AREA OF WHEEL WELL, WHERE IT CURVES OUT TOWARDS OUTER WHEEL WELL, THIS RUBBED EVER SO SLIGHTLY, NOW PERFECT, EMAIL FOR QUESTIONS, WILL HELP IF I CAN.. PEACE...

 

[cwilliams]

99 Pewter FRC 48K Miles W/OEM C6Z06 Rims

Your car really looks nice with the C6Z06 Wheels. Check out my 99 FRC with OEM C6Z06 Wheels. No mods to the car, just mounted them on the car. Hadn't noticed any rubbing however. My Car is for sale (see
Classified for details).

 

[Toms007]

Thanks for the write up and good pictures. I've heard a several people doing the mini tubing, but had not seen how they do it.

A couple of sweet looking Vettes here.