Torque Thrust Wheels
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: plymouth mass
Torque Thrust Wheels
I know this question has been kicked around alot over the years but here we go. I am going to take the plunge and buy wheels for my 73 and would like to put on original (15x8) TT's I know I will needs spacers, how thick and do I need longer studs? American racing makes TT II with natural centers similar to the original wheels, has anyone seen them? Do the 15x8 TT II's fit without spacers? There are other five spoke TT style wheels available from ET and Radir wheel company, does anyone know if these fit without spacers? The ET wheel looks a lot like the american wheel and would be suitable if it fit without spacers. There is a lot of experiance on this forum , so hopefully I will find the answers to these questions. Thanks for any input you people out there can add.
Vette guy from the 60's
Vette guy from the 60's
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: The Villages FL
Re: Torque Thrust Wheels (charles dion)
Charles,
I have a set of four ARE Torque Thrust D's in 15x8 1/2. They do not come in 8" width. I believe the TTII's come in 8" widths, however.
We had a CNC machine shop design and blueprint custom spacers with the GM center flange in the middle for perfect mounting every time. You will only need to lengthen your studs a tad to get one and a half to two turns of stud outside the nut for safety.
There are BFG Radial T/A's mounted already with only 150 miles on them. (Took the Corvette to the shop right after I bought them only the learn my frame and trailing arms were shot). They are P225/70R15.
If interested, email me at spikezz4@bellsouth.net, or call the Corvette Clinic at 407 323 7804. Ask for Chris and tell the first receptionist that you are interested in Spike's Torque Thrust D wheels.
Hope this helps. They are great looking wheels, and the spacers solve the caliper clearance and wheel balancing problems.
Spike
I have a set of four ARE Torque Thrust D's in 15x8 1/2. They do not come in 8" width. I believe the TTII's come in 8" widths, however.
We had a CNC machine shop design and blueprint custom spacers with the GM center flange in the middle for perfect mounting every time. You will only need to lengthen your studs a tad to get one and a half to two turns of stud outside the nut for safety.
There are BFG Radial T/A's mounted already with only 150 miles on them. (Took the Corvette to the shop right after I bought them only the learn my frame and trailing arms were shot). They are P225/70R15.
If interested, email me at spikezz4@bellsouth.net, or call the Corvette Clinic at 407 323 7804. Ask for Chris and tell the first receptionist that you are interested in Spike's Torque Thrust D wheels.
Hope this helps. They are great looking wheels, and the spacers solve the caliper clearance and wheel balancing problems.
Spike
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Re: Torque Thrust Wheels (charles dion)
It looks like they do make a 15X8 in the 5X4.75 bolt pattern. Check out the AR site:
http://www.americanracing.com/wheels...=Torq-ThrustII
I can't find the page that showed the offsets, etc. I believe you won't have much of a problem with backspacer requirements. The stock rears take up to about 4.5 inch backspace with no spacer required. However, I've heard a bigger problem with 15 inch wheels might be the clearance between the wheels and stock Vette calipers. The 17 inch wheels curve around and clear the calipers by about 1/4 - 1/2 inch at most.
Good luck...
Did the rest of you TT - II folks see the Corvette wheel center caps on the AR site above?? Pretty cool - I might have to get some... :cool:
http://www.americanracing.com/wheels...=Torq-ThrustII
I can't find the page that showed the offsets, etc. I believe you won't have much of a problem with backspacer requirements. The stock rears take up to about 4.5 inch backspace with no spacer required. However, I've heard a bigger problem with 15 inch wheels might be the clearance between the wheels and stock Vette calipers. The 17 inch wheels curve around and clear the calipers by about 1/4 - 1/2 inch at most.
Good luck...
Did the rest of you TT - II folks see the Corvette wheel center caps on the AR site above?? Pretty cool - I might have to get some... :cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 9
From: Fairport NY
Re: Torque Thrust Wheels (charles dion)
Chuck, Check out my pictures below. I have 15x8 TT II's with 4 inch back spacing on my 73. I do not have spacers on with these wheels. I do have about an 1/8" space between the spokes of the rear wheels and the rear brake calipers. Rod
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
Re: Torque Thrust Wheels (charles dion)
I like the look of the D's and the ralley wheels myself on the C3 the best, have ralleys just can't afford the D's right now, :nopity
[Modified by gdh, 8:47 PM 3/4/2002]
[Modified by gdh, 8:47 PM 3/4/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 16
From: Gainesville, Florida
Re: Torque Thrust Wheels (Z-man)
Have you considered the American Racing TT-Ds in 16X8 (105-6861)? They should clear the calipers without machining or spacers.
Vintage Wheelworks also makes TT-D replicas in 16X8, both curved & straight spoke.
http://www.vintagewheelworks.com/v40.html
http://www.vintagewheelworks.com/v45.html
Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 9:03 PM 3/4/2002]
Vintage Wheelworks also makes TT-D replicas in 16X8, both curved & straight spoke.
http://www.vintagewheelworks.com/v40.html
http://www.vintagewheelworks.com/v45.html
Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 9:03 PM 3/4/2002]
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: plymouth mass
Re: Torque Thrust Wheels (charles dion)
red73 and mdsmith:
Thanks for the input about the TT wheels. I want to use the 15 inch wheels due to the fact I have extremely low mileage 255x60-15 BFG COMP T/A VR tires currently on the car. These tires look and perform nicely and are not available anymore. I went to American's web site and found some information about a TT II 15x8 wheel with natural grey center available. This wheel is a little pricey ($270 list price) and it will take 8 to 12 weeks for them to be produced. I would still like to see one of these wheels in the flesh before I plop down 1100 large for a set of four. If anyone out there has a set of American CL205 TT II on their corvette let me know.
The quest will continue until I satisfy the urge I have had since the 60's to have a set of these wheels on one of my cars, hopefully it will be on my 73.
Once again thanks for the input, this site is a wealth of information
Thanks for the input about the TT wheels. I want to use the 15 inch wheels due to the fact I have extremely low mileage 255x60-15 BFG COMP T/A VR tires currently on the car. These tires look and perform nicely and are not available anymore. I went to American's web site and found some information about a TT II 15x8 wheel with natural grey center available. This wheel is a little pricey ($270 list price) and it will take 8 to 12 weeks for them to be produced. I would still like to see one of these wheels in the flesh before I plop down 1100 large for a set of four. If anyone out there has a set of American CL205 TT II on their corvette let me know.
The quest will continue until I satisfy the urge I have had since the 60's to have a set of these wheels on one of my cars, hopefully it will be on my 73.
Once again thanks for the input, this site is a wealth of information
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: The problem is all inside your head she said to me.
Re: Torque Thrust Wheels (charles dion)
I hae a simalar thread going in the C1 area. I am really liking the TT II's. I too was going to stay with the 15's for $ reasons. Still have not ironed it all out yet :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Re: Torque Thrust Wheels (Red73)
Chuck, Check out my pictures below. I have 15x8 TT II's with 4 inch back spacing on my 73. I do not have spacers on with these wheels. I do have about an 1/8" space between the spokes of the rear wheels and the rear brake calipers. Rod
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: plymouth mass
Re: Torque Thrust Wheels (charles dion)
Just as i thought would happen, this subject gets a lot of input from the forum members. In my opinion Torque Thrust D and II wheels are the best looking wheels available to the after market. At this point I think I will pursue the II's in 15x8 with the natural centers. This will allow the use of the Comp TA tires , they look great and make the car handle like a corvette was is suposed to handle.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 713
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From: plymouth mass
Re: Torque Thrust Wheels (charles dion)
Just as i thought would happen, this subject gets a lot of input from the forum members. In my opinion Torque Thrust D and II wheels are the best looking wheels available to the after market. At this point I think I will pursue the II's in 15x8 with the natural centers. This will allow the use of the Comp TA tires , they look great and make the car handle like a corvette was i
s suposed to handle.
Thanks again to all that contributed .
PS The spacer option scared me a bit, I have heard a lot of horror stories.
s suposed to handle.
Thanks again to all that contributed .
PS The spacer option scared me a bit, I have heard a lot of horror stories.
