A question about narrowing a stock cast wheel.

[Z51JEFF]

Can a 1991 9 inch wheel be narrowed?Id like to look into having a set narrowed down to 17-7 and 17-8.I know a cast wheel can be sliced and welded back together but is there the right circumference in the barrel of this wheel that it can be cut,narrowed and welded back together?Im looking at 5-1/8 back spacing on the 17-7 and 5-5/8 back spacing on the 17-8.Thanks.

[tpr60]

GM made a 17x8 saw blade wheel, used on the base 91 Vette, on the front of a standard model.

[LGAFF]

http://www.weldcraftwheels.com/

[We Gone]

The 96 GS convertible also had a 17x8, 5 spoke front & 17x9.5, rear

[WVZR-1]

GM made a 17x8 saw blade wheel, used on the base 91 Vette, on the front of a standard model.

There was never a narrower than 9.5" painted "saw-blade" for the Corvette. Both '91 and '92 were 9.5".

Weldcraft does excellent work I've seen there "widening" on a street vehicle with minimal weights. Might have balanced better than some after-market wheels because it's part of their procedure. I've seen some of their "narrowed" product that was used as "skinnies". There should be similar vendors in various parts of the country but like some "specialty shops" they don't have a "web -presence" and aren't interested in one. They have all they can do - word of mouth!

You can only remove material from the barrel inboard of the wheel mounting flange.

A 9.5" wheel has a 7.4" BS approximately (each will vary) and it's also 10.5" wide so if you're looking at removing 2.275 from the wheel barrel. That would give you a wheel that's 7.225 (advertised width) BUT a wheel that's 8.225 "total width" with the back-spacing dimension you mention. I didn't do the rears. Do you need the rear #'s? I believe my math will pass the test but it was done quickly. I'll probably check it again.

[WVZR-1]

The 96 GS convertible also had a 17x8, 5 spoke front & 17x9.5, rear

The fronts on the GS, CE and any base cars '93 + are 8.5"

[WVZR-1]

For the rear using your BS numbers I believe you would end up with a 7.725 (advertised width) with a total wheel width of 8.725.

Now if you're just interested in 17 X 7 and a 17 X 8 wheel you remove 2.5 from the one and 1.5 from the other and end up with a back spacing of 4.9 on one and 5.9 on the other.


**** The only thing you need to remember when calculating is you're removing from "total wheel width" and NOT the advertised width.

[Z51JEFF]

For the rear using your BS numbers I believe you would end up with a 7.725 (advertised width) with a total wheel width of 8.725.

Now if you're just interested in 17 X 7 and a 17 X 8 wheel you remove 2.5 from the one and 1.5 from the other and end up with a back spacing of 4.9 on one and 5.9 on the other.


**** The only thing you need to remember when calculating is you're removing from "total wheel width" and NOT the advertised width.

Thank you Dave for the info.On the wheel BS I get for the fronts I get from the wheel center -pad- on the back side of the wheel to the very edge of the wheel lip 5-1/8 and on the back I get 5-5/8 from the wheel center pad to the very edge of the inner wheel barrel.The wheel center pad being the area of the wheel the mounts to the axel.Thanks again to all for the info.

[GOLDCYLON]

What are you upto Jeff?

[WVZR-1]

Thank you Dave for the info.On the wheel BS I get for the fronts I get from the wheel center -pad- on the back side of the wheel to the very edge of the wheel lip 5-1/8 and on the back I get 5-5/8 from the wheel center pad to the very edge of the inner wheel barrel.The wheel center pad being the area of the wheel the mounts to the axel.Thanks again to all for the info.

That's the proper way to measure. Are there tires on the wheels? If not measure the wheel "edge to edge" and you'll see that "total wheel width" is greater than the assumed width. Generally assumed fact is 1" so if you measure any wheel "edge to edge" the "advertised width or measured width" is a dimension nearly 1" less.

[Z51JEFF]

That's the proper way to measure. Are there tires on the wheels? If not measure the wheel "edge to edge" and you'll see that "total wheel width" is greater than the assumed width. Generally assumed fact is 1" so if you measure any wheel "edge to edge" the "advertised width or measured width" is a dimension nearly 1" less.

This is correct,always take into account 1 inch in total width.

[Z51JEFF]

What are you upto Jeff?

Im thinking about putting a set of Saw Blades on my Nova but not if the total cost is too much...............but it would look BITCHIN!:-Dhttp://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/FLYTYM/DSCN1551_zpsf77d7eb1.jpg

[WVZR-1]

Im thinking about putting a set of Saw Blades on my Nova but not if the total cost is too much...............but it would look BITCHIN!:-D

That's what I assumed you might be wanting to do. What are the tire sizes and the wheel widths of what's on it presently?

[Bob Eyres]

I thought I noticed a set of skinnies on apparently stock type wheels on FBI Pete's car in a pic.
Maybe he has some info.

[USAZR1]

http://www.ericvaughnmachine.com/

[WVZR-1]

http://www.ericvaughnmachine.com/

That looks to be an excellent referral! Still a 375 mile drive I'd guess so a "visit" isn't easily accomplished. It is the way that it's done!

[GOLDCYLON]

Im thinking about putting a set of Saw Blades on my Nova but not if the total cost is too much...............but it would look BITCHIN!:-Dhttp://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/FLYTYM/DSCN1551_zpsf77d7eb1.jpg

Well that's an idea