Ok i just recently bought some Corvette ZR1 17x11 rims and put on 315/35-17 Nitto 555r Drag Radials. I figured i would post some info since this was actually really cheap to do.

Prices:

315/35-17 Nitto 555rs - $183 each (shipped)
AFS 17x11 Corvette ZR1 repoductions rims (50mm offset) - $184 pair shipped
Valve stems - $3 each
Mounting and balancing - $16 each

Weights:

Rim alone - 26lbs
Rim with tire - 54lbs
Tire - 28lbs

Modifications:

Beat in the front of the wheel well - This didnt really need to be done, but i did it just to be on the safe side since i would be running low tire pressure. There are also steel reinforcing ridges right above the bumper stops which mine cleared fine. I did beat off all of the underspray just incase the tires did get close enough some how, but mine havent. My rear end was perfectly centered.

Cut fender lips and bent flat - This was the hardest part. I starting by bendnig the lip with channel locks and hammering it flat. After doing one section, about an inch, i gave up that way. I took a dremel and cut the entire fender lip all the way across which left only one layer of steel to bend. This hammered flat with the greatest of ease. This probably didnt need to be done, but i did it just incase my tires ever did hit a bump big enough for them to go down that far with the bump stops removed

Cut off bump stops and bracket - This can be avoided if you always jack the back tires up by the rear end. The rims will hit the bracket otherwise when the rear end drops. I have been running for a month without bumper stops and didnt notice a difference, no rubbing, or change in suspension feel. I removed these so that if i did go over say rail road tracks fast and my rear end would become 'air borne' i wouldnt want a bracket smashing into my rims. I'm not sure that the rear end would lift that high into the air though

These could probably actually be put on without any modifications, but for safety reassurance i decided i would remove anything that could go wrong. If your rear end wasnt centered you would probably have to beat in the ridges. I will get pictures and make a page tomorrow. I just painted over the parts i beat in with white paint so you will be able to see them.

Thanks for looking,

Shawn

 

very helpful ... this thread is probably so often searched for it might as well be stickied lol

 

Yeah i did a search before i bought mine and found a bunch, but none really all together. I'm gonna make a step-by-step webpage for it.

 

An alternative to completely removing the bump stops.... You can cut the edges of the bump stop bracket flush with the inner fenders, retaining the function of the bumpers. I've run 28x10.5-15Ws in the wheel wells, in addition to 315/35 BFG Drag Radials, and no problems with keeping most of the bump stops intact.

http://cjcfo.fbody.com/members/injun...A/FendMas2.jpg

 

Thanks Injuneer, I'll add that to the web page if you dont mind. My bump stops were pretty brittle and didnt look like they would hold up too good anyway. I'm 17, my car has no exhaust whatsoever, i wash it with laquer thinner and Palmolive soap, and it's got like 69,000 miles on it, no plastic pieces in the trunk or carpet, and it weighs 3270. Haha obviously bumpstops werent important to me . I'll be sure to add that though.

 

The bump stops also protect the shocks. If the shocks are over-compressed they can be damaged.

Here's the clearance on both sides (it looks like its sitting with the sub-frame on jack stands, but it isn't. There is a floor jack supporting the rear axle so its in it normal, "loaded" position):

http://cjcfo.fbody.com/members/injun...C/TirClr1R.jpg

http://cjcfo.fbody.com/members/injun...C/TirClr2L.jpg

 

Thanks for the info I'll be doing this in the spring good to know.

-J

 

I took some pics of the wheels on the car, but not of any of the modifications i had to do. It's been raining for the past two days so i havent felt like removing the wheels. So far so good, no rubbing at all. The ride is a little rougher which i assume to be the thinner sidewall.

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~xmx/id6.html

 

Oh yeah the front rims are stock 16x8 WS6 rims painted black. I thought they matched the ZR1s pretty good.

 

where did you buy the ZR1s for $184 a pair? i need some cheap 17x11s badly.

 

I bought them from Ebay. A seller name cleaning_out_the_garage