I had plans to have my original '94 Firehawk wheels refinished but I just found out they will not clear the Z06 brakes that I am putting on soon so that option is out.

I've been thinking about 17x11 in the rear so I can throw some 315s under the car and was looking at Torque Thrust II wheels but they don't list an application for C5s so I don't know if they will clear the brakes.

I definitely don't want ZR1 wheels... any idea what size and backspacing it'll take to clear the brakes?

I don't think it is the width of the wheel, or backspacing. Z06 brakes require 18" wheels, to my knowledge. I don't think they'll fit with ANY 17" wheel.

I have a friend with a '97 SS with the original 17" ZR1 wheels that clear his Z06 front brakes.

C5/Z06 brakes will fit under the majority of f-body 17" wheels, but there are a few styles that they won't clear. I know for certain that they will clear ZR1/GS/SS style 17s, and will also fit under the later style Firehawk wheels. There is a f-body C5 brake clearance diagram floating around the Internet somewhere. If you can find it, it should allow you to verify with a wheel manufacturer what will or will not fit.

18" wheels are not required with C5/Z06 brakes. The Z06 rear wheels are 18"x10.5". The fronts are 17"x9.5"
The other guys can help you with the offset stuff.

You may want to consider 18's unless you like having very little clearance to clean the inside of the wheels. Thats the problem I ran into after I installed the Wilwoods with the Speedlines.

I'm contemplating a set of Z06 wheels in chrome for daily/track use with 555R2 rubber

Matt

Well, dang, I thought they were 18's!

Oh, crap, I'm thinking of the new Vette that has 18's up front!