[Slurpee]

Bought some Apex SM-10 Front 18x11" ET7 // Rear 18x12” ET41 wheels for a ZL1 (non 1LE)

Was going to do the strut grind here, minus the camber adjustment hole grind (installing camber plates): https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526353
The Apex fitment article mentions you may need to grind the steering knuckle, but can't find any info on that in the forums. Wondering if it doesn't apply with Camaro specific 18 inch wheels. Anyone grind the steering knuckle?

[khcoaching]

With the 19"s, I had to do some pretty decent grinding, with the 18"s, I had to do a lot of grinding.

Here's great write up of how it all works. Note, I had to grind much more than what was shown in the picture.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...ight=strut+mod

[Slurpee]

Originally Posted by khcoaching

With the 19"s, I had to do some pretty decent grinding, with the 18"s, I had to do a lot of grinding.

Here's great write up of how it all works. Note, I had to grind much more than what was shown in the picture.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...ight=strut+mod

Yeah that's the thread I listed as well. I couldn't really tell if the knuckle was being ground along with the strut though.

[carguy55]

The Apex article says: The SM-10 does not have this issue.

Front: 18x11" ET7 // Rear: 18x12” ET41
Available in: SM-10, VS-5RS, EC-7RS
Works with factory alignment, but additional negative camber is suggested both front and rear
Grinding of the front strut/spindle is required to clear the inner barrel with the VS-5RS and EC-7RS wheel due to its Sprint Spec inner lip design. A 3mm spacer may be used instead of grinding, but we suggest shaving the strut down. The SM-10 does not have this issue.
No rear spacers are needed

[Slurpee]

Originally Posted by carguy55

The Apex article says: The SM-10 does not have this issue.

Front: 18x11" ET7 // Rear: 18x12” ET41
Available in: SM-10, VS-5RS, EC-7RS
Works with factory alignment, but additional negative camber is suggested both front and rear
Grinding of the front strut/spindle is required to clear the inner barrel with the VS-5RS and EC-7RS wheel due to its Sprint Spec inner lip design. A 3mm spacer may be used instead of grinding, but we suggest shaving the strut down. The SM-10 does not have this issue.
No rear spacers are needed

That's for the ZL1 1LE.

[carguy55]

Ok, For the ZL1 you do need to do the strut grind per Apex. The strut grind is shown in the article you linked. There is no grinding of the knuckle, just the strut.



Wheels:

Front: 18x11" ET7/9 // Rear: 18x12” ET41
Available in: SM-10, VS-5RS, EC-7RS
Works with factory alignment, but additional negative camber is suggested both front and rear
No front spacers are needed
Grinding of the front strut/spindle is required to clear the inner barrel, a spacer will not eliminate the need for grinding
No rear spacers are needed
We suggest relocating the wiring harness inside the driver rear fender well on cars equipped with Magnetic Ride Control (MRC)

[Slurpee]

Originally Posted by carguy55

Ok, For the ZL1 you do need to do the strut grind per Apex. The strut grind is shown in the article you linked. There is no grinding of the knuckle, just the strut.



Wheels:

Front: 18x11" ET7/9 // Rear: 18x12” ET41
Available in: SM-10, VS-5RS, EC-7RS
Works with factory alignment, but additional negative camber is suggested both front and rear
No front spacers are needed
Grinding of the front strut/spindle is required to clear the inner barrel, a spacer will not eliminate the need for grinding
No rear spacers are needed
We suggest relocating the wiring harness inside the driver rear fender well on cars equipped with Magnetic Ride Control (MRC)

Yeah I was prepared for that; however, if you scroll further down in the article it states that there are knuckle clearance issues, which I was referencing:


Steering Knuckle Clearance
18" wheels in 10" to 11" widths often require 5th and 6th gen Camaro owners with MRC suspension (and sometimes DSSV) to grind a small portion off of the front steering knuckle for added clearance. Below are some pictures of the problem areas. This is only an issue with wider 18” wheels as the inside lip of 19” wheels will fit over the top of the knuckle without clearance issues (click images to enlarge).

[Christian1LE]

Those of you guys who have tried 18's and 19's. What do you like about each one?

I am torn if I go with 18's (and get the option to use racing take offs) or if I go with square 19 and just stick with SC3's.

[Slurpee]

Originally Posted by Christian1LE

Those of you guys who have tried 18's and 19's. What do you like about each one?

I am torn if I go with 18's (and get the option to use racing take offs) or if I go with square 19 and just stick with SC3's.

Haven't tried 18 on track yet, but I got them because there's a supplier nearby with high quality scrubs and are 1/4 price of SC3R, which means more time behind the wheel.

[khcoaching]

Originally Posted by Slurpee

Haven't tried 18 on track yet, but I got them because there's a supplier nearby with high quality scrubs and are 1/4 price of SC3R, which means more time behind the wheel.

Off topic -

I have yet to find a reliable source for scrubs and the prices I show are basically 1k a set, shipped? Where are you getting yours and what brand?

Ken

[Slurpee]

Originally Posted by khcoaching

Off topic -

I have yet to find a reliable source for scrubs and the prices I show are basically 1k a set, shipped? Where are you getting yours and what brand?

Ken

No, I have to pick them up. Four hour round trip drive. A set only used for one session is $480. I'll be running Pirelli DH 305/660 F and 325/660 R

[That1guy_tim]

Originally Posted by Slurpee

No, I have to pick them up. Four hour round trip drive. A set only used for one session is $480. I'll be running Pirelli DH 305/660 F and 325/660 R

2hrs from Chicago? Where ya getting these from?

[Apex Wheels]

Originally Posted by khcoaching

Off topic -

I have yet to find a reliable source for scrubs and the prices I show are basically 1k a set, shipped? Where are you getting yours and what brand?

Ken

Hey Ken, bumping this old thread but we like to use Todd at GT Racing Tires for takeoffs. He also supplies us with tires for some of our promotional shoots. They've always been in great shape.

[cdrptrks]

I have heard that there is less air space for brake cooling when running 18" wheels compared to 19".

Also if you get a small rock/pebble stuck between the ZL1 caliper and an 18" wheel it will wear the wheel paint off and possibly wear a grove into the wheel barrel. I believe you also need to consider wheel weight height and placement in relation to the ZL1 caliper to avoid interference with 18" wheels.