How to tell if zr1 wheels are aftermarket or authentic corvette?!

My buddy told me that you can only get 11" zr1 rears with the minor deep dish offset if they are off a REAL zr1 and not aftermarket (maybe just the chrome are that way). Is that a true rumor I have heard? If so is there a way for me to look at my rims and see if they are REAL corvette ones? I sorta beleive it because I havent been able to find anything but the 9" wide ones for sale on SLP and Summit.....Thanks---

While this doesn't directly answer your question, one thing that I know when it comes to the difference between real and replica (atleast most replicas) is that the silver lip is thinner on real ones as compared to the replicas.

I would think on the back of the rim somewhere there should be a GM symbol somewhere tucked away. ZR1 did come with the 17*11 stock- yes.

Thanks guys, I will do a little searching on my rims for symbols :)

While this doesn't directly answer your question, one thing that I know when it comes to the difference between real and replica (atleast most replicas) is that the silver lip is thinner on real ones as compared to the replicas.

Mine are replicas, and the lip on mine aren't very thick.

www.cardomain.com/id/boltonz

As for the difference between replica and real. I believe this was discussed in another thread around here somewhere, but on the replicas the spokes sit further inside the rim, and on the real ones just the center of the wheel is deeper. Hope I explained that right heh.

That's about how big my replica's silver lip is, and I was told it's bigger than stock

The one glaring obvious difference is in the center cap/lug nut area . That whole area on OEM 11" vette wheel will be sunk in much deeper than on a OEM 9" wheel . The link below is good example of the difference .

http://www.johnbrown.net/images/159315.jpg

You dont want the actual OEM wheel , it offset is 36mm and would stick out the fenderwell pretty good. You could use a OEM 11" 96 vette grandsport rim . They are the same as a ZR1 in appearence with the deep center area and have a 50mm offset that we need .

I also understand that the OEM wheels are forged while the aftermarket is cast and much heavier. This doesn't help you much unless you have an unmounted wheel and a scale, but you can add a ton of weight by going with aftermarket wheels. I read somewhere that the 17x11 aftermarket wheels are around 27 lbs each while OEMs are around 21 lbs. I know my 17x9 OEMs are 20lbs...

--Alan

I also understand that the OEM wheels are forged while the aftermarket is cast and much heavier. This doesn't help you much unless you have an unmounted wheel and a scale, but you can add a ton of weight by going with aftermarket wheels. I read somewhere that the 17x11 aftermarket wheels are around 27 lbs each while OEMs are around 21 lbs. I know my 17x9 OEMs are 20lbs...

--Alan

That's why I have a seperate set of Telstars for racing :cool:

From the pics of my car (96) can you guys tell if I have real or replica ones on my car. Fronts are 9's backs are 11's but they fit good in the well and the pics arent very clear of the rear hub being sunken in---but thanks---

I'd say they are replicas. Kinda hard to tell from those pics but that's what it looks like to me.

I'd say they are replicas. Kinda hard to tell from those pics but that's what it looks like to me.

Kinda have to agree . Unless those are chromed OEM wheels , GM never offered a 17x11 ZR1 or Grandsport wheel in chrome like they did with the 17x9's . Look inside , a OEM wheel will have GM cast somewhere , as well as the size whether it be 17x9 or 17x11 .

Thanks guys, yea, I think they must be aftermarket too because the center is the same deepness from front to rear when I went to look today......also they are chrome and I didnt realize they didnt make chrome factory zr1's, lol.. I APPRECIATE IT!!! :)

Well I believe itw as just the 17x11 variety that they didn't make in chrome. They made 17x9s (all 4) in chrome from the factory I believe.

aside from what is noted above, oem wheels will be more "round" the spokes will have a rounded edge opposed to a flat face with a small rounded edge. plus a GM stamp located on the outside of the wheels along the lip.