Oops! C5 caliper clearance issues and 17's

[jfman]

Well started assembling the wole setup today only to find that I have a clearance issue with my Coys and the c5 calipers. So I had to make some room.
This little guy was touching the fins on the calipers.






The overall clearance is very tight. I'm thinking maybe those 18's would not have been a bad idea after all.

[sinned]

Ouch! Those fins are not cosmetic, they are actually the stiffening ribs to support that already fairly thin caliper throat. You may wind up with a fair amount of caliper flex on hard braking...worst case maybe a broken caliper.

[jfman]

Yeah I know they are for strength but I dont really have a choice...
I dont think it will be that bad because I was looking at a set of ls1 calipers I have laying around. They are also made by PBR and the look very close to C5 caliper except the fins do not reach the front of the caliper.

[matthimself456]

Aren't C6 calipers the same design but without fins? Could be wrong on that one...

[jfman]

Aren't C6 calipers the same design but without fins? Could be wrong on that one...

Interesting.. maybe I shoulda gotten those...

[matthimself456]

If Im right it just means they should be ok with the fins ground like you did. I certainly wouldn't buy whole new calipers. With a fresh coat of paint I think theyll even look ok.

[KMD]

I also am having a similar problem with my setup. I am running C5 Wilwood brakes on my Chevelle and the TTII that I have do not have the clearance between the caliber body and spoke of the wheel. I am not going to use these wheels on this car anyway but it did propose a problem I was not expecting. (jfman) I hope removing the fins works out for you because you don't what to go through what I am right now in finding a wheel that fits.

I have contacted several wheel companys and distributors with virtually no help with this. They seem like they don't what to mess with this application. I really like the look of the TTII style wheel. It does not have to be that wheel but maybe something similar. I am not opposed to having a custom wheel made, just would like for a wheel company to give me some direction and help.
Any suggestion?
I would appreciate any advice anyone can give. This has been frustrating to get down to purchasing wheels and can't get any help from folks that supposedly sale custom wheels.

[jfman]

I got spoke clearance alright. About 1/4 inch all around.

The "hidden" valve stem is the problem here. Even with the fins gone, I cant use the protecting cap on the stem.