www.chirpthird.com: Ragtop Wheels

This is topic Ragtop Wheels in forum F-Body: Convertibles at www.chirpthird.com.

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Posted by InTheWind (Member # 1048) on :

Is there a difference between coupe and convertible wheels?

Thanks

Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :

On What?

Early SS convertibles did not get the 17" wheels the coupes got. Current one's ('99 and up, I don't know about '98) get the same wheels.

Posted by InTheWind (Member # 1048) on :

The tirerack shows the same wheels for the 95 coupe or convertible, but a buddy said there was a difference and I wanted to check. I know the frames are not the same.

Thanks

Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :

Are you looking at changing the wheels and tires on yours? I'm pretty sure they would be the same. The only thing I've ever heard is that the convertible rear wheelwell is tighter so we can't use 11" wide rims.

If you go to 17" wheels, you have to add the jounce bumper spacer to prevent bottoming in the fenderwell.

Posted by InTheWind (Member # 1048) on :

Yes, I gotta lose the shooters. Thank you poSSum! I thought my buddy was messin with me, You saved me a big headache.

Thanks

Posted by DRB SCRD (Member # 1049) on :

Your wheel options are the same as a coupe, there is no difference in clearance. I'm running 17x9.5" front w/285 GSCs and 17x11" rear w/315 GSCs wheel/tire combo on mine, as seen above.

If you've got stock 16" rims, definitely get rid of them for your next mod

'94 T/A 12.30 @ 115
'95 Z28 M6 12.46 @ 114.8
'00 ZX12R 9.59 @ 149.66

DTB SCRD

Posted by 383Dave (Member # 1027) on :

quote:
Originally posted by poSSum:
If you go to 17" wheels, you have to add the jounce bumper spacer to prevent bottoming in the fenderwell.

Mmmm... no. If you go with wheels that are wide enough to hit the fenderwell before they hit the jounce bumper, you want a spacer. But just increasing the diameter of a wheel won't cause this. Even a 9.5" wide wheel won't cause it, assuming the wheel's offset is correct.

Dave

Posted by DRB SCRD (Member # 1049) on :

Dave is right, forget the extended jounce spacers, they are a huge waste of time and don't let the suspension do it's job completely.

SLP has been making a mint off selling jounce spacers for years in applications where they are not required.

Posted by JohnnyBs98WS6Rag (Member # 1028) on :

All '98-up WS6 ragtops got the 17" wheels, the '97 WS6 ragtops only got 16". Not positive about SSs.

Posted by 99 SS 950 (Member # 1054) on :

All F-body verts up to 97 had 16" wheels only no 17" option. From 98-up all SS/WS6/(99-up)Hawks had 17" wheels.

The only suspension change from the factory was the addtion of the Jounce bumpers for the rear axle. Which SLP will sell you if you are going to put 17" tires on a car not originally equipped with 17s, convertible or not.

Posted by joef429 (Member # 1040) on :

I have a '97 with the factory 16X8 wheels but was thinking about change to 17X9, is the Jounce Bumper required. Has anyone made the change without it? Any problems?

Posted by 383Dave (Member # 1027) on :

quote:
Originally posted by joef429:
I have a '97 with the factory 16X8 wheels but was thinking about change to 17X9, is the Jounce Bumper required. Has anyone made the change without it? Any problems?

You might want to read this: http://www.chirpthird.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=9&t=000023

Dave

Posted by InTheWind (Member # 1048) on :

Thanks for your inquiry! The 17x11 wheel does not fit correctly on the '93-'97 convertible due to the storage compartment that holds the top when it's down taking up too much room and not allowing enough clearance for the wider wheels. I know it seems strange, but in fact GM used to send SLP their hardtops and had them modified into convertibles through 1997. Starting in 1998, GM actually designed the car to be a convertible and changed the top and how the back end storage compartment was built. Starting with the '98 model, there is more clearance, allowing the wider 17x11 rims to fit properly. We appreciate your interest in our wheels.

Best regards,
AFS Wheels - SS

Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

quote:
Originally posted by InTheWind:
Thanks for your inquiry!
The 17x11 wheel does not fit correctly on the '93-'97 convertible due to the storage compartment that holds the top when it's down taking up too much room and not allowing enough clearance for the wider wheels.

Where did this information come from? The storage well is the same size for all 4th Gen Camaros. Resizing it would have required re-certification and I don't think GM would have done that just to fit a 17" tire in the rear well.

quote:

I know it seems strange, but in fact GM used to send SLP their hardtops and had them modified into convertibles through 1997. Starting in 1998, GM actually designed the car to be a convertible and changed the top and how the back end storage compartment was built.

Uh.....NO. GM has always made their own 4th Gen convertibles. You might be confused with the late '80's when ASC converted 3rd Gen coupes to convertibles.

quote:
Starting with the '98 model, there is more clearance, allowing the wider 17x11 rims to fit properly. We appreciate your interest in our wheels.Best regards,
AFS Wheels - SS

A 17 x 11 rim will fit on any 4th gen ragtop. Just use the spacers if needed.

Whoever told you this stuff is smoking something funny.

[ 03 July 2001: Message edited by: HTWLSS ]

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