May 27, 2016, 03:01 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird Tire Repair and Maintenance
- Camaro and Firebird: Tires General Information and Specs
Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs.
Browse all: Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird Tire Repair and Maintenance
4th Gen SS Wheels
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Mishawaka, IN
4th Gen SS Wheels I'm looking for a set of 4 17 inch SS wheels for the 1998-2002 Camaro. I'm currently with the stock 16 inch wheels and am convinced that the 17 inch wheels with a shorter sidewall will help increase the handling of my car.
Anyone know if the aftermarket replica wheels are good? Any issues with them? Where can I get the best deal on them at?
Also, will I need to calibrate the speedo, how far will it be off with wheels 1 inch bigger on it?
Anyone know if the aftermarket replica wheels are good? Any issues with them? Where can I get the best deal on them at?
Also, will I need to calibrate the speedo, how far will it be off with wheels 1 inch bigger on it?
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,627
Likes: 2,543
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
As I bought these many years ago, I have no idea who currently has the best deals.
245/50/16: 25.65"
275/40/17: 25.66"
That 0.01" difference is not enough to matter.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Mishawaka, IN
You are correct. The larger, wider wheels with a shorter sidewall tire will definitely improve handling.
I've had no issues with the aftermarket versions of these wheels. I have a set in chrome on my '98 that has been on the car since 2005, and a set in silver that has been on my '02 since 2007. On both sets the finishes have held up very well, they balance properly, and they fit the car properly. My chrome set are correct factory SS sizing/offset (17x9", 50mm offset), while my silver set are the more common C4 sizing/offset (17x9.5", 56mm offset). Both sizes will fit a 4th gen F-body with no issues front or rear, with a 275/40/17 tire.
As I bought these many years ago, I have no idea who currently has the best deals.
No, there is nothing that needs recalibration. The fact that the wheels are larger makes no difference at all. What matters in this regard is overall tire diameter, which actually works out to be the same between the two stock tire sizes:
245/50/16: 25.65"
275/40/17: 25.66"
That 0.01" difference is not enough to matter.
I've had no issues with the aftermarket versions of these wheels. I have a set in chrome on my '98 that has been on the car since 2005, and a set in silver that has been on my '02 since 2007. On both sets the finishes have held up very well, they balance properly, and they fit the car properly. My chrome set are correct factory SS sizing/offset (17x9", 50mm offset), while my silver set are the more common C4 sizing/offset (17x9.5", 56mm offset). Both sizes will fit a 4th gen F-body with no issues front or rear, with a 275/40/17 tire.
As I bought these many years ago, I have no idea who currently has the best deals.
No, there is nothing that needs recalibration. The fact that the wheels are larger makes no difference at all. What matters in this regard is overall tire diameter, which actually works out to be the same between the two stock tire sizes:
245/50/16: 25.65"
275/40/17: 25.66"
That 0.01" difference is not enough to matter.
Anyone have any idea where I can buy some aftermarket SS rims for these cars?
If you want a set that doesn't look like they set in to far then AFSwheels has them in a 17 x 9.5 with a +38 offset, so they'll set about 3/4" out further then the +56 offset 17 x 9.5 wheels.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Mishawaka, IN
I'm sorry but this really doesn't make sense to me. They're the exact same wheels but they stick out further than the regular stock 17 x 9.5 wheels will? I just want wheels in stock size and look, don't care if they're OEM or not.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,627
Likes: 2,543
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
In the example above (both being 17x9.5"), the 38mm offset version would stick out further than the 56mm offset.
Like I posted above, the 17x9.5"/56mm offset will fit your 4th gen just fine with 275/40/17 tires, front and rear. Those same wheels/tires with a 38mm offset might scrub the wheel well (lip and/or inner section) up front when you turn the wheel.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Mishawaka, IN
If two wheels are the exact same width, but have a different offset, then the wheel with the lower (numeric) offset will stick out further when mounted on the car. There is a sticky at the top of this section that explains more about terms like offset and backspacing.
In the example above (both being 17x9.5"), the 38mm offset version would stick out further than the 56mm offset.
The stock wheels that came on '98-'02 Camaro SS were 17x9" with a 50mm offset. I'm not sure if anyone still makes them in that size though. It seems like all the reproductions these days are based on the C4 Corvette sizing of 17x9.5" with a 56mm offset.
Like I posted above, the 17x9.5"/56mm offset will fit your 4th gen just fine with 275/40/17 tires, front and rear. Those same wheels/tires with a 38mm offset might scrub the wheel well (lip and/or inner section) up front when you turn the wheel.
In the example above (both being 17x9.5"), the 38mm offset version would stick out further than the 56mm offset.
The stock wheels that came on '98-'02 Camaro SS were 17x9" with a 50mm offset. I'm not sure if anyone still makes them in that size though. It seems like all the reproductions these days are based on the C4 Corvette sizing of 17x9.5" with a 56mm offset.
Like I posted above, the 17x9.5"/56mm offset will fit your 4th gen just fine with 275/40/17 tires, front and rear. Those same wheels/tires with a 38mm offset might scrub the wheel well (lip and/or inner section) up front when you turn the wheel.
Trending Topics
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Morehead KY
If two wheels are the exact same width, but have a different offset, then the wheel with the lower (numeric) offset will stick out further when mounted on the car. There is a sticky at the top of this section that explains more about terms like offset and backspacing.
In the example above (both being 17x9.5"), the 38mm offset version would stick out further than the 56mm offset.
The stock wheels that came on '98-'02 Camaro SS were 17x9" with a 50mm offset. I'm not sure if anyone still makes them in that size though. It seems like all the reproductions these days are based on the C4 Corvette sizing of 17x9.5" with a 56mm offset.
Like I posted above, the 17x9.5"/56mm offset will fit your 4th gen just fine with 275/40/17 tires, front and rear. Those same wheels/tires with a 38mm offset might scrub the wheel well (lip and/or inner section) up front when you turn the wheel.
In the example above (both being 17x9.5"), the 38mm offset version would stick out further than the 56mm offset.
The stock wheels that came on '98-'02 Camaro SS were 17x9" with a 50mm offset. I'm not sure if anyone still makes them in that size though. It seems like all the reproductions these days are based on the C4 Corvette sizing of 17x9.5" with a 56mm offset.
Like I posted above, the 17x9.5"/56mm offset will fit your 4th gen just fine with 275/40/17 tires, front and rear. Those same wheels/tires with a 38mm offset might scrub the wheel well (lip and/or inner section) up front when you turn the wheel.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,627
Likes: 2,543
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
I know there is alot of debate about this but the stock wheels are 17X9.5, ive had a few sets of them and the last set i measured with no tire on them and they are 9.5 (I am talking about the 10 spokes BTW) i guess slp and gm even said they were 9 idk why but anyway i like the spacing on the OEM wheels, ive found many sets on craigslist with tires for a decent price IMO you would be better off with a set of GM wheels than knock offs
17x9.5" with a 56mm offset is the most common size for reproduction ZR1 style wheels that fit 4th gen F-bodies and C4s.
If you measure a 9" wheel from inside the bead area it will be 9", but if you measure from lip to lip the measurement will show more like 9.5"-10".
Last edited by RPM WS6; Mar 23, 2013 at 10:54 AM.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Anaheim Ca.
He might be talking about the 02 SS ten spokes? I have them and they are 17" X 9.5"
Edit: I will be damn! I do have 17" X 9" . I took one off and looked at it. It clearly is marked 17X9JX50.0. All these years I thought that I had 9.5's. I now see what I thought was 17X9.5 was the 50.0 mm off-set. Who says you cant teach an old dawg new tricks?
Edit: I will be damn! I do have 17" X 9" . I took one off and looked at it. It clearly is marked 17X9JX50.0. All these years I thought that I had 9.5's. I now see what I thought was 17X9.5 was the 50.0 mm off-set. Who says you cant teach an old dawg new tricks?
Last edited by slow ride 02; Mar 23, 2013 at 04:58 PM.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,627
Likes: 2,543
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
He might be talking about the 02 SS ten spokes? I have them and they are 17" X 9.5"
Edit: I will be damn! I do have 17" X 9" . I took one off and looked at it. It clearly is marked 17X9JX50.0. All these years I thought that I had 9.5's. I know see what I thought was 17X9.5 was the 50.0 mm off-set. Who says you cant teach an old dawg new tricks?
Edit: I will be damn! I do have 17" X 9" . I took one off and looked at it. It clearly is marked 17X9JX50.0. All these years I thought that I had 9.5's. I know see what I thought was 17X9.5 was the 50.0 mm off-set. Who says you cant teach an old dawg new tricks?
I think a lot of people get confused by those markings. This isn't the first time that I've read someone mention that they thought the "50" marking somehow meant 17x9.50, rather than a 17x9" wheel with a 50mm offset.
Also, sometimes people measure the wheels wrong and go from lip to lip, which will measure about 0.5-1.0" wider than the rated wheel width. This can further add to the confusion over the true width.
Here are some pictures that I saved from another thread about this. These are factory original '96-'99 style, off a '99 SS but with '96 centercaps installed. As you can see in the first picture, they have the correct factory stamp on the front of the rim area between the spokes. In the second picture, you can see the 17x9 with 50mm offset markings, and in the final picture you can see the proper 9" width measurement as correctly taken between the beads:
So what about 18" wheels? Will they improve handling further assuming not much more weight?
I am looking at these:
http://www.factoryreproductions.com/...Chrome-c82.htm
I am looking at these:
http://www.factoryreproductions.com/...Chrome-c82.htm
Last edited by libertyforall1776; Jul 7, 2013 at 02:50 PM.
So what about 18" wheels? Will they improve handling further assuming not much more weight?
I am looking at these:
http://www.factoryreproductions.com/...Chrome-c82.htm
I am looking at these:
http://www.factoryreproductions.com/...Chrome-c82.htm
The 18" wheels would have to be lighter in weight.
The only benefit with those 18s is room for bigger brake rotors.
Well if I stay in 17x8.5 (nothing wider in 17" available) of that wheel I am stuck with what, 255s? I am trying to at least stay with 275s like the stock SS spec...
Last edited by libertyforall1776; Jul 7, 2013 at 09:19 PM. Reason: corrected recommended widest tire size
BTW the widest recommended for a 8.5" wide wheel is a 255.