17" wheels
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
It is not easy, I have been trying to make a selection as well.
I have not yet found a tire combination that I like. The problem is with the tire height. The car's wheel well is designed for a stock tire height of 27". If you are looking to put a larger/wider tire on the rear, you may have to do what GordonM did and use an 18" wheel on the rear. My problem is the wheel that I want to use is not made in an 18". If you are using the same width on all four there may be one on the market that does the job for you. Look at the "Tire Rack" web site and you can find all of the tire dimensions and wheel size they are disigned to fit.
Good Luck.
I have not yet found a tire combination that I like. The problem is with the tire height. The car's wheel well is designed for a stock tire height of 27". If you are looking to put a larger/wider tire on the rear, you may have to do what GordonM did and use an 18" wheel on the rear. My problem is the wheel that I want to use is not made in an 18". If you are using the same width on all four there may be one on the market that does the job for you. Look at the "Tire Rack" web site and you can find all of the tire dimensions and wheel size they are disigned to fit.
Good Luck.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
in 17's your looking at somehting along the lines of the 255-50/17...which is what i run on the rear of my car - i run a staggered size 245-45 up fgront but in retrospect i should stayed with the single size.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
The car looks great with those tires! On my 78 L-82 4spd, I would like to change to a more performance Z rated tire with my OEM rims than my current 255/60/15 S-Rated tires but no one makes a Z rated tire in that size. The only option currently is aftermarket rims like you have. Are your tires Z-rated, what size tire did you switch from, and how big a change did you experience in the ride and handling going to the 17's? Even if I considered your 17 in rims, I would think that I would have to stagger the sizes like you did since with 3.70 rear gears, I cannot afford to go to a shorter tire in the rear. I am assuming that you cannot run 255/50/17 in the front due to clearance issues even though I would prefer the 245/45/17 in the back but back to the gear issue. What I am really interested in is someone who would make the OEM original aluminum 70's-82 rim in the 17 inch size. Anyone know of someone who may be thinking of doing that rim?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
the tires in the rear are 275/50/17 and 255 up front....
NOW in the rear, I long ago moved the ebrake cable bracket from inside the tire to inside the rotor.....and so no problem with tire fitting.....the 8" rim went to 9.5 inch, and so 3/4 inch to the inside, and 3/4 inch to the outside, keeping the wheel/tire centerline identical....
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 40
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good hunting!!!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
The car looks great with those tires! On my 78 L-82 4spd, I would like to change to a more performance Z rated tire with my OEM rims than my current 255/60/15 S-Rated tires but no one makes a Z rated tire in that size. The only option currently is aftermarket rims like you have. Are your tires Z-rated, what size tire did you switch from, and how big a change did you experience in the ride and handling going to the 17's? Even if I considered your 17 in rims, I would think that I would have to stagger the sizes like you did since with 3.70 rear gears, I cannot afford to go to a shorter tire in the rear. I am assuming that you cannot run 255/50/17 in the front due to clearance issues even though I would prefer the 245/45/17 in the back but back to the gear issue. What I am really interested in is someone who would make the OEM original aluminum 70's-82 rim in the 17 inch size. Anyone know of someone who may be thinking of doing that rim?
I assume i can run the same tire up front as I have in teh back as i had no issues with the 255-60's up front and my rears are essentially the same dimensionally.
the 245's are frankly too small so i wouldnt reccomend them in any position - i will go to 255's up front when these tires are due to be removed, either that or i need to drop the nose an inch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
These tires are Z-rated, I ran the ubiquitos 255/60-15 on this car before, the difference between then and now is night and day, despite the shorter sidewall these tires ride smoother and stick like crazy on the corners.
I assume i can run the same tire up front as I have in teh back as i had no issues with the 255-60's up front and my rears are essentially the same dimensionally.
the 245's are frankly too small so i wouldnt reccomend them in any position - i will go to 255's up front when these tires are due to be removed, either that or i need to drop the nose an inch.
I assume i can run the same tire up front as I have in teh back as i had no issues with the 255-60's up front and my rears are essentially the same dimensionally.
the 245's are frankly too small so i wouldnt reccomend them in any position - i will go to 255's up front when these tires are due to be removed, either that or i need to drop the nose an inch.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Aug 6, 2008 at 07:46 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I would go with the 245/45/17's in the front and 255/60/17's in the rear since with 3.70 rear gears I cannot afford having a smaller diameter tire in the rear which will numerically raise my gear ratio with the 4 spd. i also like the look of tat staggered tires give the 78/79's since it lowers the front end relative to the rear. Still waiting for someone to offer the OEM aluminum rims in 17's since I could retain the stock look with modern tires. Would be people be interested in the stock OEM aluminum rim for 70-82's in a 17 in your opinion?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
Made by SLP and sold by mid america, corvette america and most of the corvette suppliers
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-1-296-6408.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,831
Likes: 5
From: Austin TX
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Hi Corvetteterry
I have 17 x 8" wheels (4" back space) and 245-45 ZR17 tires at front and rear.
Today I would probably go a little wider at the rear, up to about 8.5 or 9 inch, as I still have some space to the edge of the wheel arch.
By the way, thanks to the 17" wheels the car handles a lot better.
I hope this helps.
Best regards from Switzerland
I have 17 x 8" wheels (4" back space) and 245-45 ZR17 tires at front and rear.
Today I would probably go a little wider at the rear, up to about 8.5 or 9 inch, as I still have some space to the edge of the wheel arch.
By the way, thanks to the 17" wheels the car handles a lot better.
I hope this helps.
Best regards from Switzerland
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: braselton georgia
these are the wheels i was thinking of www.wheelsnext.com/images/wheels/large/helo sorry guys i am not to goog with puter
terry
by the way they are suggesting series 235 tires
terry
by the way they are suggesting series 235 tires
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,831
Likes: 5
From: Austin TX
Thanks for the reply!
Edit: I'm gonna start a thread and see if we can get a weight.
Last edited by Steve439; Aug 7, 2008 at 07:14 PM.