Okay, just think of this. Imagine a solid cylinder with the same outer diameter and width as our stock EVO wheel. Now we can drill out the center of the cylinder to have the same offset as the EVO wheel also. Even though this cylinder has the same outer dimensions and offest as the EVO wheel, we know nothing about the spoke angles and location relative to the hub.

 

This would depend on the wheel manufacturer. Depending on the offset variance, the spokes may have to have the angles changed to compensate for different loading conditions.

 

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. Although it looks the same, a little change in angle would not be noticable to the eye but would mean day and night to caliper clearance.

 

that is true for argument's sake but due to manufacturing costs, I seriously doubt that is the case. I would believe that the spokes and hub are the same, and only the offset changes. therefore if someone made a wheel in 17x8.5 +30 and +35, they should have no difference in caliper clearance.

 

Ok, I think I understand what you are saying. However, some (well most) wheel manufacturer do not keep the same width (thickness) spoke within the rim. They vary the thickness of of the spoke center (where the lugnuts go) in order to change the offset. If you look at the second pic, having a negative offset will increase the thickness of the center of the spoke thus pushing the rim outwards. Looking at the second pic again, for the positive offset, they have decreased the thickness in order to make it have a more positive offset. Now assume you mount those two rims, one with a negative offset and one with a positive offset and tell me, aren't the calipers closer to the positive offset rim? There are different ways to make the rims and some keep the spoke fixed at a certain position in the rims and vary the thickness of the center in order to achieve positive or negative offset. If that is not what you were questioning about/etc then I am lost...

 

Did you get them on yet??? Im ready to see.