Catera Wheels

by elvin315 6/13/2008, 17:10

The first custom touch many Catera owners make are bigger and wider wheels. Some of you do it to improve handling and give your cars a sportier stance. Others want that custom look only chrome Dubs (20" wheels) can provide. Depending on the width and offset big wheels might fit an unlowered Catera. No guarantees on Dub Deuces (22" wheels) or lowered cars.

With tires of similar outer diameters, the bigger diameter the wheel, the wider the wheel/tire, and the lower the tire aspect ratio. That means a shorter sidewall. To protect the rims when encountering potholes and sharp bumps tire makers have to stiffen the sidewalls. Depending on the aspect ratio that may result in a harsh ride. The air inside a tire is essentially a spring. Wheels of 15 or 16 inch diameters offer the softest ride with still reasonable handling. Now, a shorter, stiffer sidewall keeps the tire tread flatter to the road surface by resisting the lateral force that curls the tread's inside edges up off the asphalt. That also means the shorter the sidewall, the stiffer the sidewall ergo the rougher the ride. The best compromise between handling and ride quality would be 17" - 18" wheels. Bigger than that and normal road imperfections will be more noticeable.

Whatever sized wheel you choose, if you want them to fit they must have a 5x110 bolt pattern, a hub diameter of 65.1mm, and, depending on the wheel, a +35mm to +45mm offset. Offset determines the wheel's inner and outer clearances. Follow the link to an explanation of offset and how to measure it. Or you can use the Offset Calculator.

http://www.yokohamatire.com/utcustom.asp
https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html
http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

The Catera shares the same wheels sizes with the following GM cars. Wheels that fit them will fit the Catera. The Opel/Vauxhall wheels will be nearly impossible to find in the US but the rest should be available. Search eBay, the auto recyclers, and the local Pennysavers. I am by no means an expert so please double check the wheels before purchasing. Some cars like the Saturn Ion and Chevy Cobalt use both 4 and 5 bolt patterns depending on trim level. Please report any mistakes, corrections, or additions to this list and I will update it.

Make/Model	Model Years	Pattern	Offset/mm	Hub/mm
OPEL/VAUXHALL
Astra 5 Stud	1998 - 2003	5x110	35 to 45	65.1
Astra Coupe	after 1998	5x110	35 to 45	65.1
Corsa 1.7 CDTi	after 2003	5x110	45	65.1
Omega	after 1994	5x110	35 to 38	65.1
Vectra/Sigrum	after 2002	5x110	35 to 38	65.1
Zafira	after 1998	5x110	35 to 45	65.1
Speedster	2000 - on	5x110	35	65.1
SAAB
9-3	2002 - on	5x110	37 to 38	65.1
900/9-3	1992 - 2002	5x110	37 to 49	65.1
9-5	1998 - on	5x110	40	65.1
SATURN
Aura	2007 - on	5x110	35 - 45	65.1
Astra	2008 - on	5x110	35 - 45	65.1
Ion Redline *	2004 - 2007	5x110	35 - 45	65.1
L Series	2000 - 2005	5x110	35 - 45	65.1
Sky	2007 - on	5x110	35	65.1
CHEVROLET
Cobalt **	2007 - on	5x110	35 - 45	65.1
HHR	2005 - on	5x110	35 - 45	65.1
Malibu	2004 - on	5x110	35 - 45	65.1
PONTIAC
G5 ***	2005 - on	5x110	35 - 45	65.1
G6	2005 - on	5x110	35 - 45	65.1
Solstice	2006 - on	5x110	??	65.1

* - Redline only
** - all models except the LS and LT1
*** - GT only

Elvin

by **CateraMV6** 11/19/2010, 15:01

Fantastic Info.

Thank you for posting this!

by MILCAT 11/19/2010, 16:20

CateraMV6 wrote:Fantastic Info.

Thank you for posting this!

DITTO!

If I didn't already have chrome stockers, I'd be hunting something down. Still may want to swap them out someday.

by c0op3r 5/17/2011, 21:25

Quick question about wheel tire upgrade, if I go from the Factory 16" wheel to something like an 18" (love those Saturn Astra 18" on CateraMV6's Ride), what tire do I need to keep the speedometer correct?

I am not looking to go fast or hard, but want the ride to stay nearly the same, and just have a better stance. Plus getting rid of the old Jewish guy from Miami Beach Wheels will be a MAJOR plus.

by yomincarr 5/18/2011, 16:39

this is the formula that worked for me to find out if the aftermarket wheels will be the same as the stock ones:
tire height =(width*profile)/1270 + rim size
just use for both wheels

by elvin315 11/18/2014, 18:46

I found a site that sorts cars by bolt pattern. It turned up some interesting info. Not all the cars are available in the USA and you'll have to check the model years, offset, hub diameter, wheel width & diameter, but it's still a good lead. For the missing info go the the site and click on the cars listed.
http://www.wheel-size.com/pcd/5x110/

Rims with this bolt pattern may fit the following vehicles:

Alfa Romeo (5)
159
8C
Brera
Giulietta
Spider

Cadillac (2)
BLS
Catera

Chevrolet (5)
Cobalt
HHR
HHR SS
Malibu
Malibu Classic

Dodge (1)
Dart

Fiat (1)
Croma

Opel (10)
Astra
Calibra
Corsa
Meriva
Omega
Senator
Signum
Speedster
Vectra
Zafira

Pontiac (4)
G5
G6
G6 GXP
Solstice

Saab (3)
9-3
9-5
900

Saturn (4)
Aura
L-Series
LW
Sky

Subaru (1)
Traviq

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