Smallest wheels for C6 Z06/GS brakes?
04-30-2021, 02:11 PM
#1
Smallest wheels for C6 Z06/GS brakes?
I've got a 2011 base with Z06/GS brakes (all four corners). I want to pick up a cheap(ha) set of wheels for autocross and HPDEs. What's the *smallest* diameter wheel I can run and clear the brakes? The stock 18" fronts seem to be pretty close to the caliper; I'm not certain that a 17" would fit. I'm not entirely clear on how wheel offset, backspacing, etc. work.
(I have zero interest in drag racing.)
Mostly, I am looking to reduce tire cost. I'm not looking to win any races; just have some fun with the car without spending $2k on a set of tires every time. There's a pretty substantial price difference between 17" and 19". I imagine that running the same size tire front and rear will give the traction control & ABS some issues, but I'm hoping I can compensate for that in HP Tuners. (If I'm off base here, please enlighten me.)
While I'm at it, I'd appreciate any recommendations for a specific wheel that won't break the bank. (I'm not broke, but there's a hard limit on my toy budget, and I'd rather put more money into seat time than fancy wheels.) It may be worth noting that I already have to run spacers (15mm front, 10mm rear) in order for the wheels to clear the brakes.
(I have zero interest in drag racing.)
Mostly, I am looking to reduce tire cost. I'm not looking to win any races; just have some fun with the car without spending $2k on a set of tires every time. There's a pretty substantial price difference between 17" and 19". I imagine that running the same size tire front and rear will give the traction control & ABS some issues, but I'm hoping I can compensate for that in HP Tuners. (If I'm off base here, please enlighten me.)
While I'm at it, I'd appreciate any recommendations for a specific wheel that won't break the bank. (I'm not broke, but there's a hard limit on my toy budget, and I'd rather put more money into seat time than fancy wheels.) It may be worth noting that I already have to run spacers (15mm front, 10mm rear) in order for the wheels to clear the brakes.
05-03-2021, 08:40 AM
#2
Supporting Vendor
I've got a 2011 base with Z06/GS brakes (all four corners). I want to pick up a cheap(ha) set of wheels for autocross and HPDEs. What's the *smallest* diameter wheel I can run and clear the brakes? The stock 18" fronts seem to be pretty close to the caliper; I'm not certain that a 17" would fit. I'm not entirely clear on how wheel offset, backspacing, etc. work.
(I have zero interest in drag racing.)
Mostly, I am looking to reduce tire cost. I'm not looking to win any races; just have some fun with the car without spending $2k on a set of tires every time. There's a pretty substantial price difference between 17" and 19". I imagine that running the same size tire front and rear will give the traction control & ABS some issues, but I'm hoping I can compensate for that in HP Tuners. (If I'm off base here, please enlighten me.)
While I'm at it, I'd appreciate any recommendations for a specific wheel that won't break the bank. (I'm not broke, but there's a hard limit on my toy budget, and I'd rather put more money into seat time than fancy wheels.) It may be worth noting that I already have to run spacers (15mm front, 10mm rear) in order for the wheels to clear the brakes.
(I have zero interest in drag racing.)
Mostly, I am looking to reduce tire cost. I'm not looking to win any races; just have some fun with the car without spending $2k on a set of tires every time. There's a pretty substantial price difference between 17" and 19". I imagine that running the same size tire front and rear will give the traction control & ABS some issues, but I'm hoping I can compensate for that in HP Tuners. (If I'm off base here, please enlighten me.)
While I'm at it, I'd appreciate any recommendations for a specific wheel that won't break the bank. (I'm not broke, but there's a hard limit on my toy budget, and I'd rather put more money into seat time than fancy wheels.) It may be worth noting that I already have to run spacers (15mm front, 10mm rear) in order for the wheels to clear the brakes.
You're going to have a very tough time fitting anything smaller than an 18" wheel over the C6 Z06 brake package. They use a 355mm diameter disc, and the calipers are rather large and clunky.
05-04-2021, 12:57 PM
#3
Thanks. I measured the clearance between a front caliper and the wheel; I don't see that working out. Guess I could always go with 17" on the rear. 😂😂😂
A friend recently sold his track car and has a few sets of 18" wheels collecting dust. I'm going to grab a set of those and see how it works out.
A friend recently sold his track car and has a few sets of 18" wheels collecting dust. I'm going to grab a set of those and see how it works out.
Last edited by David Lively; 05-04-2021 at 01:00 PM.
05-08-2021, 05:39 PM
#4
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I have a 17x9.5 Forgestar F14 front wheel on my GS (with the stock J56 brakes) ... You just need the correct wheel offset.
However, the base model C6 fenders will require you use a different offset on your base model vs what I have on my GS (so the wheel won't stick out of the front fender).
BTW ... The rear wheels are 18x11 ... However, I do have a set of 17x11 rear wheels that have drag radials mounted on them for drag racing.
___________________________________
Photos shown below are 17x9.5 front and 18x11 rear
Attachment 48331175
Attachment 48331564
However, the base model C6 fenders will require you use a different offset on your base model vs what I have on my GS (so the wheel won't stick out of the front fender).
BTW ... The rear wheels are 18x11 ... However, I do have a set of 17x11 rear wheels that have drag radials mounted on them for drag racing.
___________________________________
Photos shown below are 17x9.5 front and 18x11 rear
Attachment 48331175
Attachment 48331564
Last edited by Turbo6TA; 05-08-2021 at 05:48 PM.
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David Lively (05-08-2021)
05-09-2021, 09:06 AM
#7
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David ...
If you plan on getting a set of 17" wheels for the front of your base model, I would get no wider than 9" ... I think that even with the correct offset, a 17x9.5 wheel is going to stick out of your wheel well slightly.
If you plan on getting a set of 17" wheels for the front of your base model, I would get no wider than 9" ... I think that even with the correct offset, a 17x9.5 wheel is going to stick out of your wheel well slightly.