Torq Thrust II definitive guide
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: Ellicott City MD
Based on available tire choices, I'd go with 17x8 TTII's with 245/45-17 on the front and 255/50-17 on the rear. They fill up the wheel wells, won't rub on the front at full turn, and they look wicked cool. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Anyone else with 17" front and 18" rear TTII's that could post a pic?
I am thinking about going 17x8's front and 18x8's rear although I swore I definately would not when I started looking but I figure if I can cram some 255/45R18's under the rear and 245/45R17's up front there will still be a bit of sidewall and a decent rolling diameter, the rear will actually be a perfect 27.0", same as original, the front 25.7" a little smaller than the 26" I was hoping for but the 550 front springs will hopefully lower it a bit in front to compensate......
Cosmic
I am thinking about going 17x8's front and 18x8's rear although I swore I definately would not when I started looking but I figure if I can cram some 255/45R18's under the rear and 245/45R17's up front there will still be a bit of sidewall and a decent rolling diameter, the rear will actually be a perfect 27.0", same as original, the front 25.7" a little smaller than the 26" I was hoping for but the 550 front springs will hopefully lower it a bit in front to compensate......
Cosmic
Last edited by cosmicvette; Jan 24, 2006 at 09:06 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Originally Posted by cosmicvette
Anyone else with 17" front and 18" rear TTII's that could post a pic?
I am thinking about going 17x8's front and 18x8's rear although I swore I definately would not when I started looking but I figure if I can cram some 255/45R18's under the rear and 245/45R17's up front there will still be a bit of sidewall and a decent rolling diameter, the rear will actually be a perfect 27.0", same as original, the front 25.7" a little smaller than the 26" I was hoping for but the 550 front springs will hopefully lower it a bit in front to compensate......
Cosmic
I am thinking about going 17x8's front and 18x8's rear although I swore I definately would not when I started looking but I figure if I can cram some 255/45R18's under the rear and 245/45R17's up front there will still be a bit of sidewall and a decent rolling diameter, the rear will actually be a perfect 27.0", same as original, the front 25.7" a little smaller than the 26" I was hoping for but the 550 front springs will hopefully lower it a bit in front to compensate......
Cosmic
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Originally Posted by Jughead
You can now get grey powder coated center TTII's....Zwede is running them. I think they're available in 16's & 17's.Cosmicvette....don't forget about the ton's of pictures at my site too.
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/themoneypit/I checked the American Racing website and there are offset specs also. What is correct offset?
Am assuming that I could go same route (16x8 rim and 255/50R16 tire) on my '80 with no issues. Correct? I like the polished rim and tall rubber look also.
This is the 16x8 that American Racing says is correct for the 68-82 vettes: http://americanracing.com/appguide/f...nd=icanracing#
Correct/Incorrect?
Last edited by TedH; Jan 24, 2006 at 11:01 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
I have 275/40 17s on the front of my '79. I had 255/50-16s before. Not much overall difference in size. My car came new with 255/60-15s, and the factory trimmed the fender lip slightly. I plan to put 275/40-18s up there soon. No problem's up front. Different story out back.
Bee Jay
Pictures here:
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...416&uid=598455
Bee Jay
Pictures here:
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...416&uid=598455
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Originally Posted by TedH
What is the height/clearance difference between 235/50R17 and 255/50R16's?
Am asking as there are MANY more tire options at TireRack for the 235/50R17's...
Am asking as there are MANY more tire options at TireRack for the 235/50R17's...
using it for the tire sizes you listed above -there is only a 0.3 inch difference in the diameter.
235/50R17 - 26.3" diameter
255/50R16 - 26" diameter.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Yep rim size, backspacing and tire size fitment doesn't depend on what style rim you choose, however, having said that I read a few posts that warned about caliper clearance on some makes of aftermarket wheels as they can interfere with the calipers on the C3's. the shapes of the spokes on the TTII's means there is no probs caliper clearance wise with them.
cosmic
cosmic
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,922
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by TedH
Jughead, I like the 16x8's on your Chrome Bumper car. Are they same size (rim/tire) on all 4 corners? The 16x8's would be my first choice for my '69 for same reasons.
I checked the American Racing website and there are offset specs also. What is correct offset?
Am assuming that I could go same route (16x8 rim and 255/50R16 tire) on my '80 with no issues. Correct? I like the polished rim and tall rubber look also.
This is the 16x8 that American Racing says is correct for the 68-82 vettes: http://americanracing.com/appguide/f...nd=icanracing#
Correct/Incorrect?
I checked the American Racing website and there are offset specs also. What is correct offset?
Am assuming that I could go same route (16x8 rim and 255/50R16 tire) on my '80 with no issues. Correct? I like the polished rim and tall rubber look also.
This is the 16x8 that American Racing says is correct for the 68-82 vettes: http://americanracing.com/appguide/f...nd=icanracing#
Correct/Incorrect?
However, I did punch in the item number from that page and enter it into Summit's site and got this.... http://store.summitracing.com/defaul....asp&x=35&y=13
Last edited by Jughead; Jan 25, 2006 at 05:19 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,958
Likes: 0
From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Originally Posted by cosmicvette
Yep rim size, backspacing and tire size fitment doesn't depend on what style rim you choose, however, having said that I read a few posts that warned about caliper clearance on some makes of aftermarket wheels as they can interfere with the calipers on the C3's.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Lol I have seen more TTII's in every other thread except this one, I think more TTII pics were posted in that brake rotor painting thread 
Well I have been (and still am) undecided, it is either 17X8's all round or 17x8'x and 18x8's, I am ordering them today so I guess I will decide when I ring up to place my order!
Thanks for the help guys, and pics, even if they weren't in this thread
cosmic
Well I have been (and still am) undecided, it is either 17X8's all round or 17x8'x and 18x8's, I am ordering them today so I guess I will decide when I ring up to place my order!
Thanks for the help guys, and pics, even if they weren't in this thread
cosmic
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: England, UK Somerset
Originally Posted by cosmicvette
Lol I have seen more TTII's in every other thread except this one, I think more TTII pics were posted in that brake rotor painting thread
Well I have been (and still am) undecided, it is either 17X8's all round or 17x8'x and 18x8's, I am ordering them today so I guess I will decide when I ring up to place my order!
Thanks for the help guys, and pics, even if they weren't in this thread
cosmic
Well I have been (and still am) undecided, it is either 17X8's all round or 17x8'x and 18x8's, I am ordering them today so I guess I will decide when I ring up to place my order!
Thanks for the help guys, and pics, even if they weren't in this thread
cosmic
Whatever you decide, it's bound to look great - it's very hard to make a C3 look anything but great
Last edited by 72on18s; Jan 27, 2006 at 02:24 PM.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,922
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by cosmicvette
Lol I have seen more TTII's in every other thread except this one, I think more TTII pics were posted in that brake rotor painting thread
Well I have been (and still am) undecided, it is either 17X8's all round or 17x8'x and 18x8's, I am ordering them today so I guess I will decide when I ring up to place my order!
Thanks for the help guys, and pics, even if they weren't in this thread
cosmic
Well I have been (and still am) undecided, it is either 17X8's all round or 17x8'x and 18x8's, I am ordering them today so I guess I will decide when I ring up to place my order!
Thanks for the help guys, and pics, even if they weren't in this thread
cosmic
Well?
What did you order?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
I am weak, yes weak!This is what happened in the space of a week with regards to getting wheels:
1. "16's all round is the way to go"
2. "ok maybe I will get some 17" just for the rear"
3, "oh ok I'll just get 17's all round"
4. and finally "nah 17" front 18" rear, I am only buying these once"
omg
Yep so it is too late now I have crossed to the dark side and gone much bigger than I thought I would 17X8" front and 18x8" rear all with 4" backspacing, it probably didn't help watching a back to back marathon of 'rides' with them throwing massive rims onto everything
With regards to who I ordered them from I was going to go with Tomz Wheels purely because they are a Supporting Vendor, but even after following up several other leads Tomz Wheels http://www.tomzwheels.com/ was still the cheapest and their customer service was impeccable (so helpful via email and when I talked to them on the phone) triple thumbs up
