1978 18" direct bolt on?

MavJack

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Aug 4, 2013
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1
stock suspension...having trouble finding 18" that will bolt directly on the hub

any help would be greatly appreciated :hi:
 
After a lot of research, it looks like I'm about ready to pull the trigger on American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels. 18 X 8 wheels, 4 inch backspacing, - 12 mm offset, and 5 X 4.75 bolt hole circle for the front wheels. For the rear, 18 X 9.5, 5 inch backspacing, and I don't...know the offset..I've been told it's -8 mm. Anyhow, supposedly forgetting the offset hassle, just order the wheels and you'll be fine.. that's what I've been told. Supposedly a lot of people (C3) have ordered these wheels, (forget about offset apparently) and they fit.

On another forum, I was told that for the rear wheels I could go 18 X 10, 5.5 inch backspacing. I'm chicken to do that..the wheels are relatively expensive and after you order them you can't return them. So if you order a wheel that won't fit, ....you have to eat it. American Racing TT II rear wheels are about $450 each for the 18X9.5 size, chrome plated..the bigger wheels would be a little more.
..................

Actually, I'd like to buy a set of Forgeline wheels from Kettering Ohio. Check them out of forgeline.com They are three piece forged billet wheels made to order. Absolutely stunning, modern, light weight. Unfortunately, they go for about $2000 ...each. Just can't do $8000 for wheels.
 
Can't say for sure.... Looks like the back side of the spokes are curved so that should clear the calipers .... I would think they will fit but I wouldn't want to spend $1000 and then find out they don't fit

If you order one rim, can you return it ?? That way you would only loose the money for shipping .....
 
Boss 338

Saw several sets of Boss 338 18 that I really like. Need to double check the back spacing. A few of the rides had spacers. boss_338_chrome_deep_std_300_zps3c63ef65.png
 
The spacers may have the purpose to move the spokes away from the calipers....backspacing alone does not change that.... Let's say you have a 10" wide rim with 4"bs and one with 5"bs ..... The center portion of the rim is usually the same, just welded to the rim's drum in a 1" offset location relative to the 4" and 5" bs..... Hope this makes sense.....

Now, if you have a 1pc cast rim then bs can only be changed by machining the rim to hub mounting surface -- these cast rims are often only offered in one size bs or offset.....

So let's say you know the rim you like fits the fender opening perfectly fine in a 9" width and 4" bs but you know the calipers don't clear..... Order that wheel in 5" bs and use a 1" hubcentric spacer..... Done.... Now it fits ....
 
After a lot of research, it looks like I'm about ready to pull the trigger on American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels. 18 X 8 wheels, 4 inch backspacing, - 12 mm offset, and 5 X 4.75 bolt hole circle for the front wheels. For the rear, 18 X 9.5, 5 inch backspacing, and I don't...know the offset..I've been told it's -8 mm. Anyhow, supposedly forgetting the offset hassle, just order the wheels and you'll be fine.. that's what I've been told. Supposedly a lot of people (C3) have ordered these wheels, (forget about offset apparently) and they fit.

On another forum, I was told that for the rear wheels I could go 18 X 10, 5.5 inch backspacing. I'm chicken to do that..the wheels are relatively expensive and after you order them you can't return them. So if you order a wheel that won't fit, ....you have to eat it. American Racing TT II rear wheels are about $450 each for the 18X9.5 size, chrome plated..the bigger wheels would be a little more.
..................

Actually, I'd like to buy a set of Forgeline wheels from Kettering Ohio. Check them out of forgeline.com They are three piece forged billet wheels made to order. Absolutely stunning, modern, light weight. Unfortunately, they go for about $2000 ...each. Just can't do $8000 for wheels.

Offset is the distance between the mounting surface and the center line. So if you have 4" of back spacing on an 8" wheel, you have zero offset.

With a 9.5" wheel and 5" of back spacing, you are 1/4" off set. And .5" will stick further out.
 
Saw several sets of Boss 338 18 that I really like. Need to double check the back spacing. A few of the rides had spacers. boss_338_chrome_deep_std_300_zps3c63ef65.png

I looked at those and saw a lot of bitching about the chrome plating.

I am convinced by many friends experiences that aluminum rims can not be chrome plated and expected to last.....has to do with heat/cooling and different expansion/shrinkage rates.....the chrome delaminates.....

:surrender:
 
Clearance.

I have stock trailing arms and stock front end. What's the widest rim and tire combo in 18"? What should back spacing be to clear, no rubbing? Same size rims so I can rotate? Front sits a little higher because of LS engine. Will lower when tires and wheels are on. I like the Boss, Foose, and Coys in chrome.
 
Last edited:
After a lot of research, it looks like I'm about ready to pull the trigger on American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels. 18 X 8 wheels, 4 inch backspacing, - 12 mm offset, and 5 X 4.75 bolt hole circle for the front wheels. For the rear, 18 X 9.5, 5 inch backspacing, and I don't...know the offset..I've been told it's -8 mm. Anyhow, supposedly forgetting the offset hassle, just order the wheels and you'll be fine.. that's what I've been told. Supposedly a lot of people (C3) have ordered these wheels, (forget about offset apparently) and they fit.

On another forum, I was told that for the rear wheels I could go 18 X 10, 5.5 inch backspacing. I'm chicken to do that..the wheels are relatively expensive and after you order them you can't return them. So if you order a wheel that won't fit, ....you have to eat it. American Racing TT II rear wheels are about $450 each for the 18X9.5 size, chrome plated..the bigger wheels would be a little more.
..................

Actually, I'd like to buy a set of Forgeline wheels from Kettering Ohio. Check them out of forgeline.com They are three piece forged billet wheels made to order. Absolutely stunning, modern, light weight. Unfortunately, they go for about $2000 ...each. Just can't do $8000 for wheels.

Offset is the distance between the mounting surface and the center line. So if you have 4" of back spacing on an 8" wheel, you have zero offset.

With a 9.5" wheel and 5" of back spacing, you are 1/4" off set. And .5" will stick further out.

That's not correct. 4" BS on a 8" wheel is -12mm offset.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
 
I have stock trailing arms and stock front end. What's the widest rim and tire combo in 18"? What should back spacing be to clear, no rubbing? Same size rims so I can rotate? Front sits a little higher because of LS engine. Will lower when tires and wheels are on. I like the Boss, Foose, and Coys in chrome.

From my research it looks like 18x8 with 4" BS is all you can do in the front. 18x9.5 with 5.5"BS in the rear may work with some slight rubbing.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
 
Message from Mr Wheels

Thanks for contacting us. I just verified that these 18x8 (+2 offset) and 18x9.5 (-4 offset) wheels are currently available in your fitment for only $839. To complete the package, we have some nice 235/45/18 and 255/45/18 Toyo Proxes 4 tires for an additional $599 - and we'll mount and balance the set for free.

Shipping will be $178 for the full package (or just $79 for the wheels without tires) and generally takes 7-12 business days.


Thanks,

Andrew Vath
Wheel Specialist
MrWheelDeal.com
(708) 792-3325
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On Fri, May 16, 2014 at 8:13 AM CDT, <[email protected]> wrote:
The following quote request was received on 05/16/2014 from http://mrwheeldeal.com/how-it-works/.

Wheel Brand: Boss
Wheel Model: 338
Wheel Finish: Chrome
Wheel Size: 18
Quantity: 4 (Standard Set)
Tires: Yes - Please recommend some

Vehicle Year: 1978
Vehicle Make: CHEVROLET
Vehicle Model: Other - Describe in Comments

Name: Don Powell
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone:
Country: United States
State/Providence/Postal Code: Missouri
Purchase Timeline: Within a month
Notes: 1978 Corvette Stock trailing arms and stock front end. Looking for 18" like the staggered wider tires in back. 18x8 in front and maybe 18x9.5 in rear. Don't want to use any spacers if possible.{#HS:31245456-267897#}
 
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