17x9.5 wheels

[00 Ragtop Z]

Will I have any trouble at all putting 17x9.5 wheels with 275 40 tires on my Ragtop? (Ebay auction ends this afternoon)

Thanks.

[Black97]

Shouldn't be any problems.

Make sure the offset is in the 50 mm range.

[00 Ragtop Z]

offset is 53mm. Standard for the 8.5 wheel is 56mm, so this sounds about right

[Injuneer]

There's really no difference in the wheel wells of the coupes and convertibles. A buddy of mine had a 97 SS convertible, and we were both able to run the same wheels with no problems - and we compared the wheels wells. The stock SS/WS6 wheels are 17x9" 50mm offset. The stock 16x8" wheels are 55mm offset. I think GM did not use the 17" wheels on convertibles because they thought the drivers would perceive a rougher ride, due to the slightly greater weight of the 'verts.

I've run OZ Monte Carlos at 17x9.5" 49mm, and ZR1/GS offset 17x9.5" 56mm, both with 275/40-17's with no problems. The Torque Thrust II's are 17x9.5" 45mm and they appear to work OK as well. They do look a lot closer to the edges of the fenders though.

[Joe 1320]

The 17 inchers didn't make it to the converts because the factory indeed thought the less rigid unibody would cause the owners to feel more of the road harshness with the 17 inch wheels. I've seen no evidence of a difference in wheelwells as Fred mentioned either.

[Black97]

I actually like the close to fender or just a tad sticking out look. Makes it look a little more "bullier".

Not practical though especially if you lower the car and if I ever upgrade to 17" I would buy the close to factory look.

[Joe 1320]

ya mean like this?

[1slo_camaro]

dang that looks real good joe



maybe in the wrong thread but since we are talking about wheels i have a set of 15x10 and 15x4 weld rodlites for sale BRAND NEW never mounted of had tires mounted im looking to sell hit me up and i can get you pics and price




thanks

[Joe 1320]

dang that looks real good joe

It looked real good. It was a total on February of this year.

[1slo_camaro]

ON NO!!!!!!!! :0

[Black97]

ya mean like this?

Yep and there you go again teasing us with those nice wheels. Were those wheels on the wreck?

[Joe 1320]

Yep and there you go again teasing us with those nice wheels. Were those wheels on the wreck?

nope. I had pulled them off to do a restoration as the finish was getting worn. I'm happy they weren't on there, they are my favorite set. In a way, they are quite similar to the new Z06 wheels.

[LarryMow]

I've got 17x9.5" (54mm offset) on my 93 Firebird with no problems. My tires are 255/45/17.

[Injuneer]

The are the 49mm Monte Carlos, 17x9.5 on all 4 corners:





These are 56mm ZR1/GS, with 17x9.5 fornt and 17x11 rear:





Yes, I know the car sits too high in the back, but thats because of the Eibach Drag Launch springs and the need to maintain clearance for 28" slicks.