Need advice on tire/wheel sizing
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 4
From: Formerly from the Great White North but now residing in the Desert Southwest NM (The Land of Dis-Enchantment?)
Need advice on tire/wheel sizing
I have a flared (ZL-1's) '73, no parking brake, stock trailing arms...I would like to know what fits...I'm looking for the widest tire/wheel application in 17" or 18" and what offsets are required. I know a 315-35-17 on an 11" rim will work. Anyone else have suggestions? If an offset TA is required, I can make the change.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Here's the info from Chris McDonald's web site on 18s http://mcspeed.homestead.com/Flare_Install.html
If you're going with 17s - the fronts would be 17x9.5 with 4.5 backspace with a 275/40 tire and the rear would be 17x11 with a 4.5 backspace and a 315/35 tire. You don't need offset rear arms with either of these combinations. Hope this helps.
If you're going with 17s - the fronts would be 17x9.5 with 4.5 backspace with a 275/40 tire and the rear would be 17x11 with a 4.5 backspace and a 315/35 tire. You don't need offset rear arms with either of these combinations. Hope this helps.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
Here's the info from Chris McDonald's web site on 18s http://mcspeed.homestead.com/Flare_Install.html
If you're going with 17s - the fronts would be 17x9.5 with 4.5 backspace with a 275/40 tire and the rear would be 17x11 with a 4.5 backspace and a 315/35 tire. You don't need offset rear arms with either of these combinations. Hope this helps.
If you're going with 17s - the fronts would be 17x9.5 with 4.5 backspace with a 275/40 tire and the rear would be 17x11 with a 4.5 backspace and a 315/35 tire. You don't need offset rear arms with either of these combinations. Hope this helps.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I have a flared (ZL-1's) '73, no parking brake, stock trailing arms...I would like to know what fits...I'm looking for the widest tire/wheel application in 17" or 18" and what offsets are required. I know a 315-35-17 on an 11" rim will work. Anyone else have suggestions? If an offset TA is required, I can make the change.
For driving on the street I use 315 rears. What suck about them is the 25.4 diameter. Smaller diameter = smaller contact patch. If you have traction problems with your previous race tires. You might consider 335/35/17 they are 26 inches in dia.
Speed Rating “W” = 168mph (270kph) 102W SL Treadwear: 30
Traction: C
Temperature: A30 C A
1874 lbs.
51 psi
4/32"
26 lbs. Rim 10.5-12.5"
12"
13"
NA
25.4"
821
335/35ZR17
Load Index 106 = 2094lbs (950kg) per tire
Speed Rating “W” = 168mph (270kph) 106W SL Treadwear: 30
Traction: C
Temperature: A30 C A
2094 lbs.
51 psi
4/32"
29 lbs. Rim 11-13"
13"
13.9"
NA
26"
802
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Remember to inquire about backpad height for caliper clearance before committing your order, as this often varies among wheel lines that are even from the same manufacturer (such as with Compomotive).
FYI, my understanding is that a 5.5" BS is max with 17" rear wheels and offset TA's. At 11" width, that would yield a centered wheel backpad (good for the bearings) and would only require a minimally increased flare width.
FYI, my understanding is that a 5.5" BS is max with 17" rear wheels and offset TA's. At 11" width, that would yield a centered wheel backpad (good for the bearings) and would only require a minimally increased flare width.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,478
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From: Formerly from the Great White North but now residing in the Desert Southwest NM (The Land of Dis-Enchantment?)
Thanks guy's...great information. Don't know how Chris McDonald can use a 4.5 BS on front. I test fit my Z06 wheels using spacers and the most I could get was 4.0 with the tire rubbing the frame at full lock.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
Jack, if you really want to go wide...Danny Popp runs 315's and 335's on 11's and 12's front/rear on his flared C3. CCW should know the backspace on a similar setup, or contact Danny on the forum, his username is raftracer.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Formerly from the Great White North but now residing in the Desert Southwest NM (The Land of Dis-Enchantment?)
[QUOTE=TheSkunkWorks;1563554521]Remember to inquire about backpad height for caliper clearance QUOTE]
Real good point. I was looking at getting 17" torque Thrust II's because I know my 15's clear the calipers...I'll have to check if 17's have the same height.
Thanks...
Real good point. I was looking at getting 17" torque Thrust II's because I know my 15's clear the calipers...I'll have to check if 17's have the same height.
Thanks...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Formerly from the Great White North but now residing in the Desert Southwest NM (The Land of Dis-Enchantment?)
Talked to Danny last week and got a whole lot of good advice on suspension setup...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Formerly from the Great White North but now residing in the Desert Southwest NM (The Land of Dis-Enchantment?)
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
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From: Redondo Beach, California
When I had factory trailing arms, the largest 17 inch tire I could use was a 225/50 R17. Even at that the emergency brake bracket on the trailing arm looked a little too close to the sidewall (3/8"?). I thought about moving the bracket a little ( a welding job) but then thought - oh heck - just buy offset trailing arms which I did. With my offsets I think I move up to 255/50 R17's.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Formerly from the Great White North but now residing in the Desert Southwest NM (The Land of Dis-Enchantment?)