Vintage Wheel Works V40 & C5 Brake Combo

[86Cutlass383SR]

I've searched in both the brakes forum and in the wheel forum and can't find a definitive answer, so I'll ask.

I plan on running the VWW V40 wheels with the C5 13" front disc brakes. 17x8 with something like a 4" - 4.5" BS. Is this setup going to need a spacer behind the wheel and if so, how thick? I need to know for sure before I order my wheels and can't afford to get it wrong.

As soon as my refund gets here, I'll finally be buying my 2 front wheels :jump:

Who want's to sell me some wheels?! Been waiting for several years for this moment!

Thanks for any info available.

[sik68]

Hey, good choice on the VWW's.

With the C5's, the rule of thumb I went by is you want 1.00" from the wheel mating face to the back of the spokes.

Check out this template from Kore3
http://www.kore3.com/downloads/fitment_templates/DOC0004.pdf

I'm running C5 brakes with VWW V48's, which are 0.75" "deep", while the V40's are listed as 0.875"...a bit less than ideal but you should be ok with no spacer as there are some VWW photos with the C5 brakes installed. This is all a bit on the conservative side anyways...when I bolted up my wheels I have 1/4" clearance with the corvette letters; just have to allow for minor deflections and pad wear.

I bought my set from Newstalgia btw. Fast and free shipping

[86Cutlass383SR]

I appreciate the feedback. My C5 calipers don't have the raised "Corvette" letters as I've seen others have.

I'm trying to run the 245 45 17 tires on the front which I know a lot of guys are running but this will be almost a daily driver and I don't want any rubbing at all. With the kind of luck I've got, I'll get everything measured out right and then have to run a spacer to clear my brakes and then I end up rubbing anyway.

Thanks again

[Randy67]

I have V45's with C5 front brakes (same backside spoke clearance as V40) and they will clear without a spacer, barely. I use a 1/8" spacer to ensure enough clearance and haven't had any issues to date. I also have plain calipers as well (no logo). My front wheel is a 17 x 8 with 4.75 bs.

[Quik66]

I ran VWW V40 (17X9.5) on my Chevelle, with Kore3 C5 kit...

While the spokes generally cleared the caliper (no "Corvette" logo), I actually had a clearance issue with the inside edge of the wheel center (where the center welds to the barrel)... It was very close, and I recall actually contacting the welding bead slightly...

I considered gring down the edge and bead slightly, but decided against it). I ended up using a 5/32" spacer (I think, it was the thinnest "Mr. Gasket" spacer)... No probelms after that...

[86Cutlass383SR]

Thanks for the heads-up from everyone. I'll plan on running a small spacer behind my wheels and take that into consideration when I order them then.

A big thanks to everyone who responded! :twothumbs


I'd really like to get these from an onsite sponsor... any takers? I'm looking for 2 Vintage Wheel Works V40's 17x8 for the front of an 86 Cutlass with the C5 brake/b-body spindle swap.

[Randy67]

I bought mine from Paradise Road Rod and Custom (PRRC). Great to deal with. Also SCandC is carrying them as well http://www.scandc.com/products.htm (at bottom) so you could check with them as well.