want wheel to stick out, spacers?

[DarkEcho]

ive been running 18x9.5 chrome c5s for a while now and its coming time for new tires *yeeck!!! 800 bucks!!*

anyways, i have 265s and they seem to be streched a little thin, so im going with 275s to get a nicer flush "lip" on the tire so that it looks better than having the sidewalls stretched like on the 265s, but i also want to have the wheel stick out a little more, as if i had a smaller offset... i thin the wheels offset is currently +56 or +58, but can i get like a metal spacer plate to make the wheels stick out like an inch more or something?

thanks

[FireFighter]

Why, thats just pointless. Go with aleast a 275 if not bigger.

[DarkEcho]

if i had known about offset i would have got +38 instead of +58, the wheels are sunk into the fenders, firebirds have more exxagerated fenders than camaros so you probably dont know what im talking about, but i want the edge of the rim to be close to flush with the fender... and currently it is not, so i am asking, can i put a spacer on the studds where the wheel bolts up to get that flushness i want? it only needs to come out an inch or so...

my other option is getting +38 offset 17x9.5 chrome zr1's to replace my chrom 18"c5s (cheaper tires mainly,) and they will have the better offset.. anyways... new rims? or spacers and keep the c5s and expensive tires?

[99v6cam]

I like C5s on firebirds so I'd say keep em and get wheel spacers.

[F1GT]

Spacers would work or maybe it's just the fact you have narrow tires that makes it look worse. I know when I went from 235 stock to 245, it looked way better as the tires come out more. Maybe if you went with 285 (if that will fit), then go with it. It will also help with curb damage.

[FunkZ]

Spacer rings are cheap, however you wouldn't want to go more than 1/2" thick due to the added stress. Spacers will also require you to install longer studs so the nuts have more than just a thread or two to grab onto.

The other option would be the bolt-on adapters. These are quite a bit more expensive (usually around $60-$70 a pair) and can be found in different thicknesses on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

Not sure how much you're looking to move the wheels out. Those 1.25" spacers would take 31mm from your offset, giving you probably around +25 (from a +56) which may be out too far. I'd keep an eye out for 1" adapters or possibly 3/4" - not sure if they make them in sizes in between. Also, you might consider getting thicker adapters for the rear since the rear fender is flared more than the front.

Don't forget you'll need a set of low profile lug nuts to bolt those on. That auction above includes those.

[FunkZ]

Oh, and I like how your car looks now with the 18" C5's better than ZR1's. You're right about the tire price, 18's are at least $50 more each for that width. If you decide to keep them, you could go 275/35 or even 285/35 for added width. Also, a staggered 17x8.5/18x9.5 might look good too, and would cut the cost down on the front tires.

[DarkEcho]

yeah but then the life would be less because i cant rotate them... i rotate my tires more often than i change my oil lol

hmm those adapters look very enticing.. ill also be going with 275/40s for some more sidewall and cause its cheaper.... i like those wheel spacer adapters though... 1.25 inches would be alot though wouldnt it...

how does that stress out the axle or anything?

oh dang.. i didnt realize it was 70 bucks for 2 lol... hmmm

what are the cons to that setup? added stress anywhere, uneven tire wear? dangerous at all?
i will be willing to invest in those since i would like the tires to stick out a bit, and thanks for the compliments about the c5s.. i guess ill stick with em [img]smile.gif[/img] you guys probably have better taste than I :-D

but yea, what are the problems involved with spacers? other than cost? lol

[FunkZ]

Simple spacers such as these are cheap, but require installing longer studs so the nuts have ample thread to twist onto, and can put more stress on the studs because of that. These usually come in sizes like 3/8" 1/2" whereas the bolt-on adapters can be 1" 1.5" 2" etc. The bolt-on adapters are the way to go if you want to move the wheels out an inch (or more). People with 3rd Gen Fbodies who want to put 4th Gen wheels on their cars have to use these adapters with a 2" or 2.5" thickness because the offsets are so different between generations.

[DarkEcho]

If i have a 56 offset then, and i want the wheel to be at least flush, should i go with a 1 inc, 1and1/2 or more? i like the idea of the back wheel being out a little more because of that fender though...

maybe 1.5 front and 2 for back?
what are the cons for the bolt on adapters? is it just money? do they have problems coming loose or anything'?

[00firebird]

i talked to some people at discount tire co. and he was telling me how bad it is to get adapers and spacers, because it stresses the car, and in some cases peoples wheels just fall off on the roads.

[shenanigans]

Problem I have with all the spacers and adapters is there is nothing for the hub of the wheel.

Stock, the center of the wheel goes aound a hub, then the wheel studs hold it in place and give it extra strength. With wheel adapters, the adaptor is supported byt the hub and held on by, bolted into place with the stock wheels studs, but then the wheel, is only supported by the studs on the adapter, looks like nothing in the center to support the brunt weight of the wheel.

Maybe its fine on a stock normally driven car but how many of us drive our cars normal and do not put any extra stress on them?

[FunkZ]

If the adapters don't come with hub extensions to help center/support the wheel, it seems easy enough to make them. Just get a short piece of pipe whatever OD the hub is, and have that tacked inside the adapter. It probaby does cause a little more stress on the axles, bearings, etc. but I really can't see somebody's wheel falling off because of it though. It's no more stress than simply having a wheel of the same offset as the original + adapter.

Dark, I would go 1" on the front and 1.25" on the rear. More than 1" on the front and I think you're going to be out past the fender. You might get away with a 1.5" on the rear since they're flared a bit more. Here's what your effective offsets would be with your +56 wheels:
1.00" = +31
1.25" = +25
1.50" = +18

Remember, mine are +38 all around and they're damn close to the edge of the fender in the front. If I was lowered another inch I'd probably rub. That's why I say go with the 1" in front and then something a bit wider in the rear.

You could put a straight edge against the outside of your wheel now, then measure from it out to the edge of your fender to see how much room you've got to play with.