Zr-1 rims vs GS rims

[Willycool]

Hello All:

I am planning to order a set of chrome 5 spoke Z-r1 rims

From what i understand:

The ZR-1 rims (Back) have a 7 1/4 offset
The GS rims (Back) have a 7 7/8 offset

Thats a difference of 5/8

The application is for an 1985 Corvette

My question is:

I have seen 84 to 87 c4's with the 7 1/4 zr1 wheels and they tend to stick out past the fender by about an inch.

Can i use the GS rim with the 7 7/8 offset on my 1985 ? In theory, with the greater offset, the wheel should not stick out past the fender by an inch.

Has anyone else had this problem?

If you have any pictures of either the Zr-1 or the GS wheel from a back profile please post em or send them to me at

peter.mercado@sympatico.ca

Thanks

Willycool

 

[Vettelt193]

are you really wanting to get the GM wheels, or would you go repros? I know a couple of company's out there, like AFS, that make the 5 spoke wheels with an offset designed to fit the early C4's. They are cheaper than GM anyway, and they have done all the work to make sure they fit right.

 

[Willycool]

Thanks for the reply...

I was hoping to get set of orginal GM wheels that have been chromed.

I here that the repo's weigh more that the orginals......

please send me a website address on the rim dealers..

Thanks

Willycool

 

[Vettelt193]

http://www.afswheels.com/v2/


they are heavier than OE wheels. do you race the car? If you don't, I really don't think it matters. They may still be lighter or equal to the standard factory wheels anyway

 

[WhalePirot]

How much weight does chroming the factory wheels add?

There was a lot written in other threads, about the advantages of polishing vs chroming. A search, above, will reveal.

 

[Hib Halverson]

You can't put any late C4 wheel on an early car without using adapters.

VetteBrakes and Products has the best adapters in the business, IMO.

 

[SQLDBA]

http://www.afswheels.com/v2/


they are heavier than OE wheels. do you race the car? If you don't, I really don't think it matters. They may still be lighter or equal to the standard factory wheels anyway

Would these 17x11's stick out on my 96 vette?
http://www.afswheels.com/v2/ecommerce/shopexd.asp?id=86

I have sawblades and want to get the ZR-1 wheels...

 

[Rich96c4ce]

The do not stick out if they have the correct offset

Would these 17x11's stick out on my 96 vette?
http://www.afswheels.com/v2/ecommerce/shopexd.asp?id=86

I have sawblades and want to get the ZR-1 wheels...

I got the 17x11s from AFS for my '96 and am delighted. They do not stick out. See the following:

 

[ShaneL]

Did you put the the 9 1/2 rims on the front? Also, do you happen to have one of your stock 8 1/2 inch rims laying around?

-Shane

 

[plumcrazy]

i got 17x9.5 chrome zr1s from afs wheels ebay auction and love them.
they are not seconds either. not sure bout the 11" one stickin out
just wanted to let you know bout afs on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7908517448&category=43957

grandsports on there now

 

[Moonunit 451]

Did you put the the 9 1/2 rims on the front? Also, do you happen to have one of your stock 8 1/2 inch rims laying around?

-Shane

Which side 8 1/2" rim sawblade do you need? I have one from a 96, don't recall if it's left or right.

 

[ShaneL]

I need the ZR1 style silver rim for the passenger side. Brake fluid is some nasty stuff ain't it? I have been trying to find one for some time but I guess by now everyone has finished upgrading and selling their old ones.

-Shane

 

[Rich96c4ce]

Did you put the the 9 1/2 rims on the front? Also, do you happen to have one of your stock 8 1/2 inch rims laying around?

-Shane

Yes to both. Its a different car now, especially with Nitto 555 DRs on all corners.

I need to keep the 8.5s. They have the EMT (hard as a rock, and slippery, too) tires. I use them as front drag tires; very low rolling friction.

 

[c4cruiser]

Hib is correct about the need for wheel adapters (adapters, not spacers) if you are going to use a OEM C4 wheel.

But AFS Wheels www.afswheels.com have aftermarket ZR-1 style wheels in both 17x9.5 and 17x11 sizes in chrome, polished, silver, and the black GS-type wheels with the proper 38mm offset for 84-87 cars. They are heavier than the OEM wheel but unless you are building a race car, that should not be an issue. I use them for autocross use and the occasional track day with no problems.

I have ZFS wheels on both my Vettes, chrome ZR-1 spokes on my Polo Green 92 and the 38mm offset black GS type wheels on my gold 87. Both wheel sets are very high quality in terms of finish and the chrome job is excellent.

Keep checking eBay for some good deals on wheels or even wheels and tire sets. I got sniped 3 times when I was looking for GS wheels so I wound up buiyng a set of "blemished" wheels directly from them. I called them and asked really nice if they could send me a nice-looking set of blems. I paid $800 shipped to me (at the time they shipped blems for free) and I 'm still looking for a blemish on the wheels!

 

[vettin1]

I have an '85 and about 5 years ago I bought a set of the GS rims direct from chevy through a vette shop (I know they were chevy rims because of the box and also the price). Bottom line is that I have the 17x9.5" at all four corners of the car and I've never had and problems.

I have noticed that everyone seems to be in aggreance that if these rims are put on an older car adapters must be used. Since I know I don't have adapters, and nothing has ever happened and I've been very happy, what can happen to the car without the adapters?