i was looking on ebay, and came across the afs wheels. Polished zr1 replicas. They have them for the 84-87 vette and no one seems to be bidding on them. It says that they fit the vettes and firebird , not camaros.

"THESE WHEELS ARE CUSTOM MADE FOR THE 1984-1987 CORVETTE! These wheels are a direct bolt on. No spacers or adapters are needed! They also fit on the 1993-2003 Trans Am or Firebird! Please note that this is NOT the correct offset for the Camaro."

"All four rims are 17" x 9.5"+38mm offset (6.7 inch backspacing). They are 5-lug (5x120.65mm)."

I thought that camaros and firebirds used the same wheels

Anyone have any idea as whats going on, or a reason as to why they "dont fit camaros" but fit firebirds

 

pontiac uses +38mm offset for the 17x9.5, while chev uses +50 or +56mm offset for the same size rims.

i have +38mm offset 17x9.5 ZR-1's on my camaro. they worked fine until i lowered it. after lowering, the rear tires rubbed inside on the outer edge of the wheelwell, due to the wheel being too far towards the outer edge of car. however, i solved the problem by installing SLP jounce bumper spacers, no more rubbing.

so... if you have stock suspension, go ahead, you'll have no problems. if you're lowered, you may have to put in some extra effort to make them work.

i'm happy with them, cos they "stick out" more, they're almost even with the edge of the car.

 

There are some people who claim that there are differences in the Firebird/Formula/TransAm body that allow the use of the smaller offset replica wheels. They say the same thing about the 17x11 ZR1 wheels, claiming that the 36.5mm offset wheels will not stick out of the Pontiac fenders, while Camaros require the 50mm Grand Sport offset, to keep the tires under the rear fenders. From the pictures I have seen, the 36.5mm offset wheels look just as bad on the Pontiacs as they do on the Camaros, because they stick out too far.

These are pictures of my Formula, with the 17x9.5 56mm offset wheels in the front, and 17x11 50mm offset in the back. You decide if you would like it with the front tires sticking out almost 3/4" more than this.

rear 3/4 view

front 3/4 view

another view

I think AFS just perpetuates the myth that somehow the Pontiac bodies are different, just like they perpetuate the myth that 17" wheels will not fit on convertibles.

 

interesting perspective. IMO, i've always thought cars (and trucks) look best when the tire to tire dimension is the widest point of the vehicle. that's why i'd rather have the 38mm offset rather than the 56mm offset. i like the "sticking out" look. i've never heard someone mention that sticking out too far was a negative.

to each his own.

95 LT1 - i guess it comes down to which look you prefer, but the 38mm offset will work on your car.