Vert Wheel Fitment Question

[Talenuf]

Hi guys. I have a '97 T/A WS6 vert and I'm looking to upsize my stock wheels. I'm thinking 18" rims, but I'm not sure about how wide I can go and what the proper offset should be in order to not have to do any modification to the car. I'd like the widest tires I can fit in the rear without mods to the car. Also, I believe there is less room in the rear wheel housings on the verts. Is this true?

Thanks for any assistance!!

[Eugenio_SS]

it's identical to non-convertible... if it fits hardtop/t-top, it fits convertible.
I have both 17x11 w/ 315 and 18x10.5 w/ 315
both set of wheels are on all 4 corners.

[Talenuf]

it's identical to non-convertible... if it fits hardtop/t-top, it fits convertible.
I have both 17x11 w/ 315 and 18x10.5 w/ 315
both set of wheels are on all 4 corners.

OK. Just to be a little more specific... I was told that the '97 and earlier convertibles have less rear wheel housing space due to the storage space for the top (when it is down).

I was told that GM redesigned the verts in '98 to be true convertibles (not modified hard tops cars) and at that time the rear wheel housings were then identical to hard top t-top cars. But, you're saying that all years of verts have identical rear wheel housings to t-top/hardtop?

What offset are you running on your wheels?

Thanks.

[Eugenio_SS]

there's a local guy w/ a LT1 96 or 97 Bird convertible running 17x11 w/ no issues as well... so i'd assume it's the same thing for all 4th gens... not just 98+

The 17x11 are +50mm offset. I used a 7/16" spacer in the front.... some use 1/4"... rear requires no spacer.
The 18x10.5" are +58mm offset (or maybe +57mm)... can't remember exactly @ the moment. I use a 1/4" spacer in the rear, no spacer w/ the Porsche brakes in the front, but you'd want a 1/2" spacer in front to be like mine on stockish brake setup.

[JohnnyBs98WS6Rag]

OK. Just to be a little more specific... I was told that the '97 and earlier convertibles have less rear wheel housing space due to the storage space for the top (when it is down).

I was told that GM redesigned the verts in '98 to be true convertibles (not modified hard tops cars) and at that time the rear wheel housings were then identical to hard top t-top cars. But, you're saying that all years of verts have identical rear wheel housings to t-top/hardtop?

Whoever told you that is confusing 3rd gen verts w/ 4th gen verts, not LT1 vs LS1 years. The 3rd gen f-bods were designed to be coupes only, then later modified / adapted for vert production (same story w/ C4 Vettes). 4th gen f-bods were designed from the get-go for vert production (as were C5 and C6 Vettes). While there were improvements in the chassis design that were implemented in '98 which allowed the WS6 / SS 'verts to run 17" rims and the stiffer suspension that came w/ those packages, this change was a switch to better adhesive materials, not basic structure geometry.

[Talenuf]

Thanks for the information. I feel a whole let better about ordering some new wheels for my '97 vert now!!

[HASTINGSRJ]

Just get the LFH out (little fuckin hammer) and do some massaging thats what I had to do with my 285's out back