<VV> Rims that can be adapted

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/9/2006 11:36:03 AM Pacific Standard Time,  
rltrmark at cox.net writes:

Two  questions. 1. When did GM switch over to the metric lug size pattern. Ex 
5 X  100mm. 2. What types of rims (GM manufactured) will fit on stock Corvair 
late  model hubs. Has anyone got a list with correct offsets??
Mark Aksamit  ePro,GRI



Well - GM Never "switched over" to a Metric bolt pattern. What they did was  
add new cars, primarily Front Wheel Drive cars, with new bolt patterns. My  
2005 Rear wheel drive GM car still has the 5 on 4.75" pattern for the  wheels. 
However, GM did make big changes. Almost all of the Rear wheel drive  cars GM 
made after 1992 use high-backspace wheels. Most of those wheels will not  fit 
the Corvair, even though the bolt pattern may be the same, because the wheel  
extends so far inward that the suspension will be contacted. A 16 x 8 Camaro  
wheel from 1993-2002 would bolt up to the late model, except for that problem.  
None of the front wheel drive wheels will bolt-on to the Corvair. GM  used 
both the 5 on 100mm and the 5 on 115mm patterms from the Citation on, as  
mentioned. In order to use any of the 5 on 100mm wheels, you must use wheel  
adapters. As long as a quality part is used, they can work fine. The Camaro  wheels 
that do fit, like a 14 x 7 rallye or the 15 x 7 alloys from the 82-92  Camaro 
have about an 8mm (or 1/3") offset. Most of the front wheel drive wheels  are 
about 38-40mm offset. If you use a one-inch (24mm) thick adapter, it will  bolt 
to the Corvair bolt pattern and present a 5 on 100mm pattern - in the  
correct location for the common FWD wheels. I installed a set of 14 x 6.5"  Citation 
X-11 alloys on a late model Convertible with a set of these adapters  with no 
issues whatsoever. I picked up a matching spare wheel/tire for  emergencies. 
I am sure that Bryan Blackwell's Wheel/tire guide outlines the main  
applications which have compatible wheels.It is at: 
_http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html_ (http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html) 
 
PS - Other manufacturers also have used the 5 on 100mm bolt pattern. Later  
Neons and other Daimler-Chrysler cars have also used it.
 
- Seth Emerson