Betty Boops New Wheels and Tires

[PLRX]

Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO

Hey, those gun metals actually look alright.

[Sweet 90]

Originally Posted by PLRX

Hey, those gun metals actually look alright.

Nice pic Bryan

[RedLS1GTO]

Originally Posted by PLRX

Hey, those gun metals actually look alright.

Those are the stockers from my 02 on it in that picture. I think that was taken about 4 years (and 3 wheel changes ago for the Z).

The 87 now has a set of powder coated black Z06 wheels with a brushed aluminum lip, the Z06 has a brand new set of stock Speedlines, and the original Speedlines from that picture are now the wet weather wheels for the 96.

I would have to go count, but I think I have 14 wheels with tires and another 8 unmounted tires in my garage for the various Vettes, not counting the ones actually on the cars.

[RedLS1GTO]

... and BTW, I have always loved the look of the 5 spoke ZR-1 wheels on the later body style C4s. They fit the lines of the car as good as any wheel I have ever seen on them.

[mike100]

There was a promotion that Fiske had blowing out some old C4 inventory, but it is a moot point because I do not think all their wheels will clear the C5 calipers.

On that note: are C5 wheels 17" front and 18" rear? I propose doing the "Spinmonster" mod (for C6 vettes) by using the front wheel in the rear and widening it 1.5 inches with another section of wheel. That way you could have 17's all around and could tweak it for the offset you need. On the C6 they do it with 18's all around to get a taller profile tire on the back, plus they are a little cheaper and lots of brands in drag radials to choose from.

[PLRX]

Originally Posted by mike100

There was a promotion that Fiske had blowing out some old C4 inventory, but it is a moot point because I do not think all their wheels will clear the C5 calipers.

On that note: are C5 wheels 17" front and 18" rear? I propose doing the "Spinmonster" mod (for C6 vettes) by using the front wheel in the rear and widening it 1.5 inches with another section of wheel. That way you could have 17's all around and could tweak it for the offset you need. On the C6 they do it with 18's all around to get a taller profile tire on the back, plus they are a little cheaper and lots of brands in drag radials to choose from.

The Ghosts rears are 17"X11" with a 50mm off-set. I wonder if they would clear the C5 brakes.

[mike100]

Originally Posted by PLRX

The Ghosts rears are 17"X11" with a 50mm off-set. I wonder if they would clear the C5 brakes.

11" seems a little wide and probably the offset isn't going to be very centerline with the bearing, but you never know.

You already know A-molds and the clones fit, why bother with the front to rear swap?

[PLRX]

This has been an expensive Nip/Tuck for Betty Boop.

I got rid of the 18" x 9.5" Z06 Replicas with the BFG KDW g-Force and installed
17" x 9.5" Z06 Replicas Deep Dish with Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus.

Betty Boop has the VBP Sports System. Due to the larger 18" wheels I had to
raise it 1/2" because the front tires were rubbing on the fenders.

This is how it looked yesterday with the 18" wheel set up.



Today I got busy and removed the shims from the front monospring.



Took it back inside and lowered about 3/4" from the rear.



Took her for a 8 mile test drive

-Rides 3 times better
-Better MPG
-These Michelins are 80% quieter that the BFG. Now I wish I had these tires on my road trips.

Noticed it was driving a bit loose and its the alignment. Checked it once I got home and it is sitting
at -1.1 Camber. I bet the toe and caster are all over the place.

[mike100]

looks in proper proportion now...but i love me some fender gap- you know you won't scrape when you can fit 4 finger between the tire and the fender, lol.

I guess I'm getting tired of fixing my own junk and actually get happy to see stock ride height.

[PLRX]

Originally Posted by mike100

looks in proper proportion now...but i love me some fender gap- you know you won't scrape when you can fit 4 finger between the tire and the fender, lol.

I guess I'm getting tired of fixing my own junk and actually get happy to see stock ride height.

4 fingers? Hmmm, that is too damn high for me. That damn gap was the reason I bought the
18" wheels. The VBP system came afterwards. Needless to say I did it backwards.

[mike100]

^^^ well I was only able to get 2-3 fingers on my 91 because my fingers are skinny and the previous owner trimmed the spring bushing and did the lowering wedge already.

I was able to flip the shims back over the spring because before that it was slammed to the max. mike100 does not like to be so alert on a Sunday drive to have to remember where all the speed bumps are.

before:






After:

[mike100]

But either way, I really like that you put 17's on BB. probably a lot of things like wheel bearing life will be extended using standard wheels with a standard offset and a little less unsprung weight.

[drmrman]

Pete Im sorry I missed this thread.... I know its too late but you could have run 17" sawblades. I had my stockers on for a little while when I was converting to a different set of wheels and tires. All it takes is a 1/4" spacer. I think i had a pic somewhere of my 17x9.5" sawblade on the vette with the C5 brakes. Ill have to look for it.

[PLRX]

Originally Posted by drmrman

Pete Im sorry I missed this thread.... I know its too late but you could have run 17" sawblades. I had my stockers on for a little while when I was converting to a different set of wheels and tires. All it takes is a 1/4" spacer. I think i had a pic somewhere of my 17x9.5" sawblade on the vette with the C5 brakes. Ill have to look for it.

I almost did but, i remembered that they are a major pain in the ass PITAx50 to clean. yes, I do love the way they look and they will always be my #1 C4 wheel but, they get extremely dirty inside.

I just returned from a small road trip. Drove down I-10, Palm Springs and finish in Idyllwild. I wanted to take pictures for the "before & after" shots.

Before


Today


Before


Today


I found this hippie "going at it" about a mile from Idyllwild.

[drmrman]

Fair enough! Looked like a nice little trip! Still like the 18's but I understand your point of view for a performance and comfort stand point.

[PLRX]

Originally Posted by drmrman

Fair enough! Looked like a nice little trip! Still like the 18's but I understand your point of view for a performance and comfort stand point.

I still have them for sale.

Damn, everything Ive sold on craiglist was gone within 48 hours but these wheels.

[drmrman]

Good luck with the sale man! Stuff is tough to sell.... I still cant get rid of my DMFW... Figured it'd go quick... Considering a new one is 1200!!!! Can barely give it away.

PS* That Drummer Man on the side of the road was me! HAHAH!!!!

[PLRX]

Today I drove 241 miles of twisties around San Diego East County. It was a spirit drive and the
new 17" wheels and the michelin tires are not even close to the performance of the BFG KDW g-force tires I had.

Those KDW were krazy glue gum and they are already missed. I drove (had to) a bit civilized.

[Wathen1955]

Hum...are you bummed you got the Michelin's?

[PLRX]

Originally Posted by Wathen1955

Hum...are you bummed you got the Michelin's?

No, they re good tires and very quiet but, the KDWs were more suitable for my driving style.