Change Vett 16" wheel to 15 " wheel ?

[race-it]

Has anyone changed a 16" C5 Vett wheel to a 15" wheel?

My Everett-Morrison came with a vett C-5 suspension. I would like to change to 15" wheels.

Jim

[Hotfingrs]

I would have to believe you have a C-4 suspension as the rotors and brakes of the C-5 to fit even 16 inch wheels. Mine came with 16 and I've put 17 and 15 inch rims on them. currently have the American Racing AR427 15 inches rims on.

[race-it]

Jack, was your suspension from a c-4. Did you have to change calipers?
Thank You
Jim

[Tommy]

Jim,
My EM uses brakes and suspension from a 1987 Corvette. I run 16" wheel on the street and 17" wheels on the track. The answer to your original question is to measure your bolt circle and determine the 15" wheel/tire dimensions (i.e., bolt circle, diameter, width, offset) you need. Here's a link showing sample wheel dimensions.

tirerack

[john chesnut]

A 15inch wheel will fit the C4 suspension with the standard rotors and calipers with the right offset and minor grinding of the caliper. They will not fit if you are running the larger, optional rotor. And they will not fit any C5 stock rotor and caliper. I have put a 15 inch wheel on a C4 based Dragon at a customers request. For proper scrub radius it is important to have the right offset, which may dictate the rim width. It has been 7 years since I did this so I do not remember the exact offset and rim width I used. Hope this helps. John

[IKE]

I also have an EM with vette 85 vette suspension and have been pondering this question for several weeks. I'm running 16" now (but not replica wheels) and want to get a set of wheels, Team 3 are the only ones I'm aware of that offer adequate backspacing to keep the outer edge of the tire under the fenders. Even the wheels EM had at the time I bought the kit extend in the front a little too much. I didn't know American Racing made a wheel that would work with the vette suspension and would be very interested in them if they will fit. If any of you have the info I'd be grateful.

[race-it]

Ike, I have had no luck with wheels. American racing does not have any wheels that will fit. I have searched many tire and wheel shops over the past year and on line with no luck. The only satisfaction I have is that looking over hundreds of early cobra pictures a very very few pictures show Goodyear Tires. In fact I find more white wall tires on cobra's than I do raised white letters. Most tires were just black. This doesn't give me the look I want but other than buying another car I cant do anything.
Jim

[Hotfingrs]

American racing does not have any wheels that will fit

Strange...I have the AR427 wheel in 15 inch, and don't have a problem. This is on C-4 Corvette suspension.

[IKE]

Originally Posted by Hotfingrs

Strange...I have the AR427 wheel in 15 inch, and don't have a problem. This is on C-4 Corvette suspension.

Would you give the details of your wheels, rim width and backspace for front/rear? Thanks

[race-it]

My EM front wheel dimension.

I have 2" from faceplate to outside edge of front fender.
I need 6.5" from center of hub to clear caliper.
I am using 245/50/16 tires and want to go to 15" so I can use Goodyear Raised White letter Tires.

I was told by American Racing three times they need 3.5" and the way there wheels taper in in the back they would not fit over calipers.

I hope they are wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wounder if anyone has a damaged wheel or an extra AR 427 rim I could buy to try?
I just checked American Racing 427 Wheel. Minimum backspace available is 3.5". this means the tire would stick out past my fender 1.5 inches. Is this correct?
Jim

[Hotfingrs]

Here is a pic with the 15 inch AR427 wheels on my car.

[IKE]

The wheels look perfect, I like the rear fender protectors as well. Very nice looking ride.

[race-it]

I see your picture and called American racing. They said again that the smallest backspacing on the 427 wheel they sell would set the tire out 5" from the backing plate. They said to ask if you had them specially made with reverse backspace?

I checked with American Racing, Less Schwab, Tire Rack, Goodyear tire, Boydes wheels, BF Goodrich, Pep Boys, Discount Tire.

I see your car and wheels so I believe you but no one who makes the wheels do, but I would have never believed you could put a hood scoop that big on a Cobra either!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim.

[race-it]

Hotfingers, I will buy the front and rear suspension, IKE will buy the fender protectors. I a few weeks I'm sure, I can part the entire car out for you!!!!!!!!!!

I will also buy the oil cooler and windshield. If you cut the front off your car and the rear, I will buy them too. I need to make a cobra couch from the rear and a sterio system out of the front.
Jim

[Hotfingrs]

The rears are 15x10 with 6.25 BS. The fronts are 15x8 with 4" BS The cheapest price I could find was here

http://www.wheelsforless.com/vintage_wheels.aspx

The wheels had to be special order and took about 8 weeks to get. They also had free shipping, which I don't know if they still do. With the C-4 suspension you need as much BS as you can get. My 16 inch wheels were WORKS wheels, and were 16x9.5 with 6 inch BS, so the AR stick out 1/2 inch more than the old wheels.

[IKE]

Originally Posted by Hotfingrs

The rears are 15x10 with 6.25 BS. The fronts are 15x8 with 4" BS The cheapest price I could find was here

http://www.wheelsforless.com/vintage_wheels.aspx

The wheels had to be special order and took about 8 weeks to get. They also had free shipping, which I don't know is they still do. With the C-4 suspension you need as much BS as you can get. My 16 inch wheels were WORKS wheels, and were 16x9.5 with 6 inch BS, so the AR stick out 1/2 inch more than the old wheels.

Thanks thats the info I need.

[race-it]

Jack, Thank you for the information. You have a great looking cobra.

Jim