Lowering and wheel offsets...
- Thread starter blackpala96
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I won't help you pick the wheels, but here are some patterns I've noticed.
first, these cars weren't made with the precision of today's cars, so often what works on one won't work on another. Many will claim 4.5 inch backspacing work, some will even claim 5 inch. But rule of thumb is after 4 inches, it starts to get hairy.
that being said, you could likely push 4.5 inch backspacing because you will be using 17s with low profile tires, which don't bulge and will help keep some clearance.
When it comes to large wheels like 17s, 18s, etc... They are automatically targeted for newer vehicles, which usually have 5 inch or more backspacing. If you're looking for backspacing that is more comfortable for our cars, you have too look at common domestric brands... American Racing, CenterLine, Torq Thrust, etc... You'll find many 17s with 4.5" backspacing here.
If you're looking at tuner or foreign brands, good luck finding anything less than 5 inch backspacing. It's very tough, I've tried.
one last thing, please stop looking at offsets... Backspacing will give you real world figures which are practical to use and easy to measure yourself. You'll have more success finding adaptors/spacers and confirming fitment with backspacing figures.
first, these cars weren't made with the precision of today's cars, so often what works on one won't work on another. Many will claim 4.5 inch backspacing work, some will even claim 5 inch. But rule of thumb is after 4 inches, it starts to get hairy.
that being said, you could likely push 4.5 inch backspacing because you will be using 17s with low profile tires, which don't bulge and will help keep some clearance.
When it comes to large wheels like 17s, 18s, etc... They are automatically targeted for newer vehicles, which usually have 5 inch or more backspacing. If you're looking for backspacing that is more comfortable for our cars, you have too look at common domestric brands... American Racing, CenterLine, Torq Thrust, etc... You'll find many 17s with 4.5" backspacing here.
If you're looking at tuner or foreign brands, good luck finding anything less than 5 inch backspacing. It's very tough, I've tried.
one last thing, please stop looking at offsets... Backspacing will give you real world figures which are practical to use and easy to measure yourself. You'll have more success finding adaptors/spacers and confirming fitment with backspacing figures.
Is it me or GM 5x4.75 bolt pattern aftermarket wheels are harder to find and are more expensive? I have been eyeing 17+ plus wheels and seem to be stuck buying the wheel everybody has, which is cheaper, or spending big bucks for a something different. I know most G body's look good with the muscle car look, but i am trying to get the pro-touring look and wheels are harder to come by...
no, it's not just you...
GM really screwed everyone with the 5x4.75... they could have done the 4.5" or 114.3mm like everyone else, but nooooo
GM really screwed everyone with the 5x4.75... they could have done the 4.5" or 114.3mm like everyone else, but nooooo
Alot of times the "tuner" wheels don't list backspacing... otherwise I would try and focus more on that.
Playing the devils advocate here, what amount of offset would be "acceptable" to run on these cars? With a small spacer of course.
And I too am looking for a more "euro tuner" look, since my car has a pretty modern engine/trans swap.
Playing the devils advocate here, what amount of offset would be "acceptable" to run on these cars? With a small spacer of course.
And I too am looking for a more "euro tuner" look, since my car has a pretty modern engine/trans swap.
i think the chart QDub posted is a great help. It might not be 100% accurate, as some wheels have larger lips than others which is tough to account for. But, I'd go based off that chart and aim for 4" backspacing.
... if 4.5" or similar is all you can manage, you can get away with a 1/2" or so spacer. I would still upgrade wheel studs and use quality lugnuts which catch a good inch or so of thread.
I am using 3/8" spacers for my 16" wheels. To catch enough stud threads, I upgraded to extended studs, which then required new open-ended lugnuts. I found some Gorilla open-end lugnuts which are about 1.25" tall have a nice a-corn conical seat.
I don't like using "universal" spacers where the holes are large and free to slide around on the studs. I found some nice ones that milled for 5x4.75 pattern and fit snug over the studs and hub center.
... if 4.5" or similar is all you can manage, you can get away with a 1/2" or so spacer. I would still upgrade wheel studs and use quality lugnuts which catch a good inch or so of thread.
I am using 3/8" spacers for my 16" wheels. To catch enough stud threads, I upgraded to extended studs, which then required new open-ended lugnuts. I found some Gorilla open-end lugnuts which are about 1.25" tall have a nice a-corn conical seat.
I don't like using "universal" spacers where the holes are large and free to slide around on the studs. I found some nice ones that milled for 5x4.75 pattern and fit snug over the studs and hub center.
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