Wide Body GTO Test Fitment

We first met Austin at SEMA this past year while walking around the impressive lineup of Optima Ultimate Streetcars that had come into town for the final event of the year. After some discussion back and forth, he expressed interest in running a set of our wheels for the 2020 campaign. However, it quickly became apparent that this would not be the typical GTO fitment, as massive brakes and fender flares stared us straight in the face.

When working with unusual fitments, talking on the phone and exchanging specs can only go so far. Austin had the luxury of living only a few miles from our shop so it was an easy decision to have him come on down and try things out in person. His current 10” wide wheels were having a difficult time clearing the CTS-V calipers so large spacers were being used. As with all of our wheels, brake clearance is a top priority. We were able to increase the width a full inch at every corner of the car all while reducing the spacer thickness in nearly half, this time only needed due to the extreme widths. 18x11s on a GTO? Yes sir!

While this is not a direct bolt-on application, it highlights the importance of testing fitting wheels before committing to a setup. Unfortunately not everyone is able to test wheels, so if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our fitment experts via email to sales@apexraceparts.com.

Cory has been Domestic Fitment Expert at APEX since 2018, helping owners figure out the proper wheel fitments for their Camaro, Corvette, Mustang, Challenger, Charger, Cadillac, and Tesla vehicles. Prior to joining APEX, he worked as Service Advisor at an automotive performance shop. Never one to sit at a car show, Cory has had a lifelong passion for performance driving. His extensive track experience began with HPDEs in 2015. He soon got the itch to start competing in time trials, which he has been doing ever since. Among the cars he has tracked are three Mustang GTs (2005, 2006, 2011), a 2016 Fiesta ST, and his current ride, a 2010 Corvette Grand Sport with APEX SM-10RS wheels. Fun Fact: Apparently Cory’s love of speed isn’t limited to the racetrack; after not training at all, he recently ran a 5K and placed 7th out of 210 competitors.

Have questions about wheels for your domestic vehicle? Use our contact form and ask for Cory