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]

Originally Posted by We Gone

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.

[WVZR-1]

Originally Posted by tpr60

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.