You bought your Camaro for a specific reason. Whether it was to make a statement, felt like the vehicle you were born to drive, or you’re simply attracted to the raw power of muscle cars, one of the main joys of owning this sports car lies in making it your own.

One of the best ways to customize your Camaro is to swap out factory fitted wheels for aftermarket Camaro wheels. This is actually one of the easiest and least expensive ways to personalize the look and handling of your car. Many new enthusiasts tackle wheel upgrades first because new wheels can make a base model Camaro look much more expensive. This is also one modification that won’t void out the warranty.

But personalizing your Camaro wheels isn’t just about aesthetics. A wheel upgrade can also improve driving performance dramatically. How so? Depending on the wheels and tires chosen, they can either improve all-season traction, enhance responsiveness, or even lengthen the life of tire treads.

For as long as there have been Camaros, wheel swaps have been one way owners make their cars stand out. In fact, when the Camaro debuted in the 60s, wheel upgrades — specifically D70 tires on 14" wheels — were one of the first options available.

So what do your Camaro wheels say about you? A lot more than you might think! The right wheels can truly set your show car apart. If you’re in the market for new wheels and tires, read on to find out what your wheel preferences say about you.

Your Wheels and Your Inner Self

Different owners are attracted to different styles of Camaro wheels the same way they gravitate toward different paint colors and exterior modifications. A well-chosen wheel set can really make a strong first impression, so consider the following:

Owners who keep their stock wheels often fall into two categories: the purists and the down-to-earth enthusiasts. The former will happily argue that the manufacturer-intended spec is the only correct spec, while the latter simply love the Camaro as-is. These owners may also be very busy and have no spare time to explore the world of aftermarket wheels.

People who love the super shiny chrome wheels tend to also love the finer things in life and may be willing to spend a little (or a lot) extra. After all, why invest in a high profile car and high profile wheels if you’re not looking to attract attention? They also have the time and the energy to polish their wheels to a mirror finish — or the money necessary to pay someone else to do it.

Owners who choose black wheels are usually function-over-form types. They want the absolute best for their cars, but they’re not looking to draw every eye — just the ones who know what they’re looking at. That said, black wheels have definitely been on trend for a number of years, so these owners are also considered to be fashion-forward.

Those who replace their OEM Camaro wheels with larger wheels are usually perfectionists. These are the owners who spend a lot of time trying to improve the already-outstanding car and are always trying to learn something new. Larger wheels tend to handle better than smaller ones (especially when it comes to cornering grip), and these owners are not willing to settle for so-so performance.

Owners who choose lightweight composite wheels are well-rounded. They’re often low-key, thrifty, and environmentalists who also want to enjoy everything that makes muscle cars so great. This wheel style can make a powerful V8 Camaro a little less gas-hungry while helping to save some cash and the planet. These wheels also remove weight from the car which improves acceleration and braking distances.

 

Your Wheels and How You Use Them

As noted above, choosing aftermarket Camaro wheels isn’t always about looks. Most people who know a thing or two about cars plan out their wheel mods based on how they use their vehicle. Your wheels will tell people more about your habits and hobbies than you might expect. How you spend your off hours may just determine what wheels you buy.

If You Love Cruising Around Town, Shop by Preference

Almost anything goes when it comes to street driving. This means you’ll have your pick of any Camaro wheels in the 18-inch to 26-inch range with plenty of options when it comes to fitment and the overall look. No matter what your budget may be, you’re going to find aftermarket wheels that you really like. Better still, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to transfer your stock tires over to your aftermarket wheels, making this one of the easiest and least expensive upgrades you can do.

Here’s something to keep in mind, though. The bigger-the-better trend when it comes to aftermarket wheels comes and goes, so don’t assume that the biggest wheels will be the best performers. In some cases, larger wheels will require you to retune the chassis (which can be expensive) to get any performance enhancements out of those bigger wheels. Also the weight of these wheels can put a real strain on shocks and springs. Make sure you’re choosing aftermarket wheels (and tires) that have been designed to make your Camaro’s performance better.

If You’re a Drag Racer, Shop By Tire

You need maximum traction to outperform your competitors at the track. The easiest way to get that is to swap out your stock wheels for 16-inch upgrades that will increase tire sidewall and allow for rapid acceleration without overtaxing your suspension. But because so much is riding on your tires, you may find that your tire options determine your wheel options. In some cases, your mod will require you to upgrade your brakes, as well, so you have the space for your chosen wheel set.

Unless your car gets hauled to the track (in which case race-only wheels are okay), make sure you’re looking at dual-purpose street and strip wheels that can handle things like potholes or drag radials that have the DOT stamp. You’ll sacrifice a tiny bit of performance but the upside is that you’ll be able to drive your Camaro around town.

If You’re a Racer, Shop By Handling

The big difference between OEM Camaro wheels and racing wheels is that the latter are designed to hold up to the rigors of the track. Wheels whipping around on circle tracks are subjected to greater loads and will have specific load requirements set by the DOT. It’s important to note that you should never race on street-legal wheels! Racers often choose wheels based on strength and weight versus size, and focus more on the stiffness and stickiness of the tires.

Before you buy, consider what kind of racing you’ll be doing. Some types of racing call for the lightest possible tires while others require durable and strong tires.. In some cases, your sanctioning body track will determine what kind of wheels you can and cannot install on your Camaro. But in every case, pay special attention to the quality and construction of racing wheels because your life may depend on it.

If You Show Your Car, Shop By Good Looks

When your favorite thing to do with your Camaro is to show it off, then style will be paramount. You do need to choose aftermarket wheels that will work on your car but you don’t have to give as much consideration to how those wheels will perform. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but there are definitely some guidelines you can follow when your goal is to make your Camaro as eye-catching as possible.

One guideline is to think in terms of extremes. When you want to get noticed, you have to differentiate your Camaro from all the others on the road. Some owners will install the widest possible wheel and the lowest offset possible —hellaflush— but you can have the look of an aggressive wheel fitment without sacrificing drivability if you get your car fitted with fender flares or overfenders. Finding the perfect fit without these add-ons is probably something best left to experienced tuners.

Finding Your Size

Knowing what kind of wheels will show the world who you are is only the first step in selecting the right Camaro wheels. Next, you need to be sure the wheels you’re looking at will fit your vehicle. At OE Wheels, you can shop by Camaro wheels specifically, which means you can be sure that your new wheels will fit your car. If you choose to shop from scratch, you can easily find wheel sets that will work for your car by looking at the following measurements:

1. Wheel Diameter: This measurement will be stamped on your factory wheels and is the distance between the two bead seats.

2. Tire Width: This is the measurement of the tire from side to side when you’re looking at your car head-on. You’ll find it marked on the sidewall in millimeters.

3. Aspect Ratio: This measurement is a percentage that is calculated by dividing the sidewall height by the tire width. Installing tires with a different aspect ratio will usually result in a change in performance and handling.

Of course, choosing new wheels for your Camaro isn’t just about finding wheels that fit your car! The right wheels can turn your factory vehicle into a one-of-a-kind expression of your passion for muscle cars and can truly be a unique statement about who you are as a person. Whether you follow the trends or buck them, there are wheels out there perfect for your car. Shop rims for sale at OE Wheels today.