79 Vett needs 17" wheels
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 99
From: Apache Junction, Arizona
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
79 Vett needs 17" wheels
I have a highly modified 79 vette with VBP complete suspension kit with off set rear trailing arms, spredder ber in front etc. I want to install 17 x9 rear and 17x8 wheels. Has any one done this and do you have a wheel manufacturer I can buy from?
Thanks
Thanks
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
That combo will work just fine. For the fronts you need a 4" backspacing and for the rear you need a 5" backspacing. Wheel manufacture will depend on what you like. There are a million different wheel manufactures. You just have to make sure they can do this type of backspacing for you.
Weld Racing
American Racing
Crager
Boyd Coddington
A few common companies
Weld Racing
American Racing
Crager
Boyd Coddington
A few common companies
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have 17X8 on all four corners with a 4 inch backspacing. As was already said there are a lot of different styles to choose from. Mine are AR TTIIs running 255 45 17s on all four corners.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
Check out Intro wheels at www.hvydeez.com
Dave knows Corvettes well and can get a perfect fit for you.
You might want to consider 18" however. I think they look much better and are now the common size wheel on any performance car. Tires are much more affordable now and you have a wider selection of choices.
Dave knows Corvettes well and can get a perfect fit for you.
You might want to consider 18" however. I think they look much better and are now the common size wheel on any performance car. Tires are much more affordable now and you have a wider selection of choices.
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: lantana,fl.
Originally Posted by Bimmervet
I have a highly modified 79 vette with VBP complete suspension kit with off set rear trailing arms, spredder ber in front etc. I want to install 17 x9 rear and 17x8 wheels. Has any one done this and do you have a wheel manufacturer I can buy from?
Thanks
Thanks
I run 17x9.5 at all four corners with 285/40/17 tires they have a 5"
back space and no rubbing anywhere, these are Centerline wheels.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
my 79 has had 9 and 11 X 17 for 6-7 years. My advice is 18 rear and maybe 17 front because you can't get enough tire diameter in the wider rear tires like the 315 and 325.
Modified Vettes have real traction problems without big sticky tires.
Modified Vettes have real traction problems without big sticky tires.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 99
From: Apache Junction, Arizona
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I like the way your car is set up, however my car is about 2" lower than stock. I have Progressive 9X15 on all four with 265x50 front and 305x50 Euro TA . The tires are 8 years old look new but are worthless. I have not run an auto cross in 4 years. Last time took FTD out of 62 Corvettes. Since then I dropped in a built 355 small block with about 412 hp added the spredder bar and new shocks, and new built turbo 350.
I want to run auto cross and track events in 2006. That is why I want 17" wheels.
I want to run auto cross and track events in 2006. That is why I want 17" wheels.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Mukilteo Washington
I've got the Van Steel's double off set t/a's with a 2" VP&B shorter composite rear spring on my 77, It's lowered to 26.5 and has a real nice stance, I installed Torq Thrust 11 polished wheels that measure 9.5x17 rear with 5" back spacing and 8x17 front with 4" backspacing, they fit and look great with no problems, I've got 275's in the back that could easly fit a 285 and maybe 295's, the outboard surface of the tire aligns with the stock fender/flair's edge with the rest of the tire tucked into the well, these tires are some what rounded at the edge so I would have to hit a BIG hole to damage my fenders (not going to happen). My plan is to install the 383, thrash the tires and go bigger 
. When I go bigger I might have to trim about half of the inner fenders edges at the top only to gain tire clearance.
. When I go bigger I might have to trim about half of the inner fenders edges at the top only to gain tire clearance.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 2
From: York PA
As stated above there are lots of options. One thing I didn't see mentioned is you need to make sure the wheels will clear the calipers. The caliper on our vette are wider than most cars and I have read of some people that got wheels that hit them.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Originally Posted by Jay M
What is the widest practical tire for the front?
I have 245/17 now, but they arent quite enough. They took a real beating at the track.
~Jay
I have 245/17 now, but they arent quite enough. They took a real beating at the track.
~Jay
Your front tires should not be getting beat up if you use correct alignment. Have it set for Zero toe neg .75 camber and as much castor as they can. My 79 is set for 3.94 and never looses shims.
Last edited by gkull; Oct 18, 2005 at 03:21 PM.