4th Gen Camaro Rim Offset Help Needed!

Hi all, I have been lurking on your site for some time and finally joined up. I have 2 questions that I cannot find clear answers for anywhere on this site.

1) Wheel offset. I want new rims asap. I know my 99 camaro 16x8s have the +55 offset so my question is this, how low of a positive offset can I go? Example, is +20 offset on a 17x9 rim acceptable or will it NOT fit like the tire rack guy insists? If nobody here has a similar setup, what is the minimum positive offset I should look for?

2) 5x4.75 and 5x120. Can you mix these or not? Many ebay auctions say yes and many local tire shops (I'm in Iowa so not much in the way of aftermarket experience here) say no. Which is it?

Thats it. Thanks for having a great site, I'm glad to have joined the club. Now, where are all the "hot" chicks?!:D

fyi i got hit with this when i joined.... look at the sticky at the top of the page

Thanks burnout96. I found the sticky and it did clear up some confusion. Looks like I should stay with a minimum +35 offset. Anyone using a smaller offset out of curiosity? As for the 5x120 rims, IS it a big deal? Anyone using this bolt pattern with no issues? Thanks everyone!!

I have 5x120 bolt pattern wheels and have No issues.
5x4.75 = 5x120.65 so each of your lugs will be .325mm off.
When I ordered mine it was recomended to me to get hubcentric rings cause I was told that most 5x120 wheels are lug centric vs the GM wheels that are hubcentric. Not sure how true it is but I have the Rings and like I said Zero issues.
And there are literally thousands of people running this bolt pattern on F-bodies.

Thanks 9T8W66, it's good to hear that the 5x120 pattern has given you no trouble. I did find a set of rims with that pattern and thanks to your input I will be sure to ask about the hubcentric rings.

Now, I can get 17s or 18s for the same price, do I go with 17s knowing tires will be more affordable or are 18s worth the extra cash? No super low profiles for me as our roads these last few years have been rough. Stay cool everyone...

I have 18's and our roads up here near Detroit aren't the greatest either.
I personally think 18's look killer on F-bodies, but it's your choice and I can only give you an opinion.

Also wanted to let you know that there are people who have claimed to have broken studs using this bolt pattern. IMO if your worried about it by some ARP Studs and forget about it cause that's what I did.

Thanks again for the ARP tip 9T8W66, weird/strange that we both posted at 7:23.

I will be going with 17s as the 17" tires are MUCH more affordable here in the sticks and the 18 tire profiles available here with road hazard are a bit too low for my taste/road conditions. I will be trying the 255/50/17 in a Fuzion ZRI to help combat my local rough road situation and also fill the wheel wells up. My local dealership said that they will recalibrate my computer/speedometer for $30-$35 if it's needed. Pretty reasonable I think...

You will need the PCM reprogrammed for the tire diameter difference, or the speedo will be indicating 5% lower than actual speed. The oversize tires will also make your car feel like you lowered the numerical rear axle ratio by 5%.

Thanks again for the ARP tip 9T8W66, weird/strange that we both posted at 7:23.

I will be going with 17s as the 17" tires are MUCH more affordable here in the sticks and the 18 tire profiles available here with road hazard are a bit too low for my taste/road conditions. I will be trying the 255/50/17 in a Fuzion ZRI to help combat my local rough road situation and also fill the wheel wells up. My local dealership said that they will recalibrate my computer/speedometer for $30-$35 if it's needed. Pretty reasonable I think...

No problem Man, I'm always glad to help.

255/50/17 will be narrow and tall looking and you may have rubbing issues when the car is at full jounce.JMO
What size are the wheels your looking at ?
Factory 17's are 17x9 with a 275/40/17 tire. 285/40's will fit though and would give you a little additional height and be wider aswell.
Also taller tires can throw off your ABS along with the speedo readings.
Just giving you something else to think about, I don't want you to buy wheels and tires and then be unhappy with the looks and performance afterwards.

Heres a couple pics of my Bird
18x8.5 F 18x9.5 R 245/40's & 275/35's
Car also sits on Strano Springs and Koni SA's
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh226/9T8W66/SuspensionandExhaust002.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh226/9T8W66/Spring08003.jpg

Your car is tight 9T8W66, those rims are sweet!

I'm looking at 17x9 rims with a +40 offset. I priced out the 255/50/17 thinking it would be a safe tire with no issues. I want a decent profile as most of the roads I travel are in sad shape and since my car is a convertible, it's already a "shakey" ride as is. I do not want to add harsh to it.

I'm all for getting a wider tire. Perhaps I should look into 275/45/17 instead? I would like all 4 to be the same size so I can rotate when necessary.

Question about the ARP studs, were yours #7708? Looks like I can get 20 for around $60 shipped. Do I still need a hubcentric ring with these? A buddy tells me that these rings are typically made of plastic and are prone to breaking. What is your experience with them?

Cheers...

Definetly use the hubcentric rings, mine are plastic and have been on the car for almost 3 yrs and their still in good shape.
Heres a link for the rings. http://http://www.justforwheels.com/index.jsp?cat=hubcentric&sub=how&track=WM (http://www.justforwheels.com/index.jsp?cat=hubcentric&sub=how&track=WM)
As for the studs I have the 7708's but haven't installed then yet cause I need different open ended lugs because of the extra length of the studs.
The link above also has the lug nuts. I've just been too lazy to order them and I need to upgrade/replace my rotor's and Pads anyway so I figured I would do it all at once. I dropped $2K this year on Springs Shocks Swaybars and my new 3.5" Catback. And right now with Xmas right around the corner I have to put Car repairs/mods aside at the moment. Next year will be the Brakes,Clutch/Flywheel and all Hydraulics, and maybe some 3.90 gears.