Narrow factory wheels to make front runners?
05-13-2008, 02:11 PM
#1
Narrow factory wheels to make front runners? After reading another thread on here, I called Wheels America about narrowing my factory 16" wheels...which they said they could. The idea was to run the car on skinnies up front...but keep the factory look from a distance. The sleeper look is really my whole theme. Anyway...the problem is this, I can't find any 16" front runners out there. I doubt they are even made, but does anyone know where I might find them? So far, the best thing I can find a 205/65/16. It's a 6.2" tread width and the rim size is 5.5-6.5. Has anyone done anything like this before?
Zach
Zach
05-13-2008, 02:32 PM
#2
I'd suggest it is not worth the money, effort or time to even consider it. There will be very little if any advantages to do what you are considering.
The only thing you'll have is a stock style wheel that gives you terrible handling and braking.
The only thing you'll have is a stock style wheel that gives you terrible handling and braking.
05-13-2008, 10:13 PM
#6
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05-14-2008, 07:12 AM
#12
Yea...I've found 15" and 17" front runners...but no 16" (my factory wheels are 16"). The cost to narrow is $150/wheel. It's not any cheaper than new wheels...but I really want to keep the factory look. The closest thing I've found to a 16" front runner is a 205/65/16. It has a 6.2 tread width on a 6" rim...and the approved rims are 5.5-6.5. While it is skinnier than factory, it's not exactly front runner narrow.
05-14-2008, 08:14 AM
#13
I had a pair of firestone bias plys in 16" on my CCW drag pack when I had my C5. They handled like **** of course, but they were 26" diameter and about 5" wide. They worked great on the vette. I wasn't expecting to be carving up corners on them, the ET streets were wrinkle wall bias plys too. So you do have options for a 16" skinny tire, especially of you're running a bias ply rear tire such as an ET street.
05-14-2008, 08:42 AM
#14
I had a pair of firestone bias plys in 16" on my CCW drag pack when I had my C5. They handled like **** of course, but they were 26" diameter and about 5" wide. They worked great on the vette. I wasn't expecting to be carving up corners on them, the ET streets were wrinkle wall bias plys too. So you do have options for a 16" skinny tire, especially of you're running a bias ply rear tire such as an ET street.
Zach
05-14-2008, 10:49 AM
#15
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Hey man don't let all these naysayers talk ya down about it. I've considered doing this many times but just didn't want to spend the money to do it.
If I were you I would take 2 inches off the front and add it to the rears. On the fronts run a narrower tire than normal (205/65R15 like you said) then run a big drag radial out back. Where you are narrowing and not widening I don't think it will really mess up your offset that much. It will change it but I think you will be ok because you are taking material OFF the backside of the rim and not adding it. I may be wrong though.
If I were you I would take 2 inches off the front and add it to the rears. On the fronts run a narrower tire than normal (205/65R15 like you said) then run a big drag radial out back. Where you are narrowing and not widening I don't think it will really mess up your offset that much. It will change it but I think you will be ok because you are taking material OFF the backside of the rim and not adding it. I may be wrong though.
05-14-2008, 11:38 AM
#16
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This would be thoughts as well.
Although I know big and littles are a popular mod.... I would never sacrifice handling for it.
05-14-2008, 03:00 PM
#18
The ones I had were like this one listed here...
http://universaltire.com/cart.php?ta...ategory_id=335
I bought a whole CCW drag pack with the tires already on the wheels. They didn't brake for ****, but not many skinny tires will. As long as it wasn't raining, I daily drove my C5 with these tires for about 3 months. If it rained I just drove my work truck.
http://universaltire.com/cart.php?ta...ategory_id=335
I bought a whole CCW drag pack with the tires already on the wheels. They didn't brake for ****, but not many skinny tires will. As long as it wasn't raining, I daily drove my C5 with these tires for about 3 months. If it rained I just drove my work truck.
05-14-2008, 04:24 PM
#19
The ones I had were like this one listed here...
http://universaltire.com/cart.php?ta...ategory_id=335
I bought a whole CCW drag pack with the tires already on the wheels. They didn't brake for ****, but not many skinny tires will. As long as it wasn't raining, I daily drove my C5 with these tires for about 3 months. If it rained I just drove my work truck.
http://universaltire.com/cart.php?ta...ategory_id=335
I bought a whole CCW drag pack with the tires already on the wheels. They didn't brake for ****, but not many skinny tires will. As long as it wasn't raining, I daily drove my C5 with these tires for about 3 months. If it rained I just drove my work truck.
How wide were your front wheels?
Zach
