jhelms

iTrader: (2)

How can you tell the difference in 'real' ZR1 / GS 17x11 wheels vs. some of the 'fake' 17x11 wheels that are out?

I have had several sets, some of each and from what I can remember the GM's spokes are pulled out towards the edge, giving the sockets a deep look. On the fake / non-GM wheels the 5 spokes are recessed a little bit making the sockets just as deep as the 9"/9.5" wide wheel.

Is that right? Anyone got some up close pics of both so we can compare? TIA!

Diesel

From what I know the GS & ZR1's all have the deep center section if the wheel is dished then it was widened by an aftermarket company.

restoman45

iTrader: (2)

you can tell by the little insignia on the side of the rim(near lip)/behind one of the spokes...it looks like a "LM". usually it can be found on the outside lip of the rim unless it was removed/sanded down for chroming like it was on mine. other than that, weigh the rims...the real ones are lighter.

acarnut

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by jhelms:
<strong>I have had several sets, some of each and from what I can remember the GM's spokes are pulled out towards the edge, giving the sockets a deep look. On the fake / non-GM wheels the 5 spokes are recessed a little bit making the sockets just as deep as the 9"/9.5" wide wheel.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I've compared these wheels close up, as I wanted ZR1 wheels, but I waited and went for Z06 replicas.

the reason the 'ZR1' wheels look different from the 'ZR1 replicas' is because you are comparing wheels of different offsets. the 'spokes pulled to the outside' is an optical illusion.

The 'rear ZR1' offset is smaller, so the hub is closer to the centerline of the wheel, so where the lugs go looks (and is) deeper. Most of the five spoke ZR1 wheels you see on Camaros are replicas with the offset meant for the 1996 Corvette Grand Sport (50mm), not the ZR1, which all used 36 mm offsets. Or they might be factory GS wheels in black or repainted silver (or chromed).

Hope this clears up the mystery.

DaveH

jhelms

iTrader: (2)

DaveH, thanks for the reply.

I know exactly what you are describing but some replicas I've seen have the spokes TRULY pushed in, giving the wheel a 'deep dish' type of look.

My Chevrolet GS offset wheels did NOT have this lip and I've noticed also that AFS 11" rear ZR1 replicas do not have the lip either but some of the cheaper branded replicas do.

My friend's ZR1 does not have the lip on the rear's either.

So I guess I'm just looking for validation that the 11's with the 'lip' (about an inch or two from the outside of the rim to where the spokes come down) are of an inferior nature. Is that right?

Here is a link to an ebay ad where they show the 'nice' replicas, the 17x11's have a deep socket area vs. the deep dish that I explained:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2401085528

This pic shows it pretty well, FWIW these do NOT look like the other cheapers ones (the cheap ones it appears that they used the same front mold and just shifted the spokes back 1.5" or so).

<img src="http://imagehost.auctionwatch.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/afswheels/6938.JPG" alt=" - " />