16 or 17 inch wheels
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
16 or 17 inch wheels
I'm due for new rubber. Not worn out. Just old. I have 255/60-15 BFG's on it now. I like the size, but there's not much available in 15" anymore. Anyone have 16 or 17" wheels and tires that work out to about the same size. Any pics?
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Go for the classic 'Torque Thrust II' by American Racing.
Product Number: 5057861
Size: 17x8
Product Description:
17X8 TORQ-THRUST II 5X4.75
Fully polished
Backside Spacing (in/mm):4/102
Offset: -11.43 mm
Les
Product Number: 5057861
Size: 17x8
Product Description:
17X8 TORQ-THRUST II 5X4.75
Fully polished
Backside Spacing (in/mm):4/102
Offset: -11.43 mm
Les
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 914
Likes: 14
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
16s ... :(
I ran 255/60/15s and upgraded to 16" rims 
.. I liked the way they look however the rubber selection is limited and hard to get a hold of. I ended up with Dunlops D8000's I think ... on the rear. The look is good but I am going to upgrade again to 17s. I wish I would have gone that route the first time!!
carbster09
.. I liked the way they look however the rubber selection is limited and hard to get a hold of. I ended up with Dunlops D8000's I think ... on the rear. The look is good but I am going to upgrade again to 17s. I wish I would have gone that route the first time!!carbster09
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
I've had 16" before and there's not much to choose from...17" and 18" are your best choice and have a good size selection and they will look close to the stock size...jmo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,446
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Forget 16's. I run 17's on SLP rims which fit perfectly with zero modifications or spacers. 255/45/17 ZR's in front and 255/50/17 ZR's in back. Don' buy junk tires with S/T speed ratings if you want maximum performance!
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Last edited by jb78L-82; May 16, 2011 at 08:26 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
Aftermarket wheel sizes for C-3
I have a 1980 C-3 that I am currently restoring. It had the original 15"x8" wheels with 255-60-17 tires. I had to go with larger wheels to clear some new larger C-6 Z06 brakes front and rear. I had access to a set of 17" wheels and also a set of 18" wheels. These wheels had tires mounted so I had a few car guy friends come over and we looked at the 17" and 18" wheels on the car, switching them back and forth a few times so we could get a good look. We all agreed that although the 18" wheel would work, the 17" wheel seemed to fit the car a little better as far as not making the wheel look to large for the car. I then ordered some 17"by9" wheels from Year One, they call them snowflake wheels, they are a remake of the 70's Trans Am wheel. They kind of look like the old BBS wheels that you see on some older cars, I've seen the BBs on a lot of older BMW etc. Anyway, the wheels fit perfect and the 1980 Corvette centercaps snap on these wheels. Hope this helps. Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 1
From: Winston-Salem NC
anybody have the website for Paul's Wheels? CA or FL, can't remember which. Also has a cool photo gallery. Thanks! 
Update: found it - Pete Paulson Wheels ( was close on the name - it's been a couple of yrs since I saw that on here ) Has 14"-17" steel rallys, and 16.5"-20" billet aluminum.
http://www.petepaulsen.com/home.htm
http://www.petepaulsen.com/Catalogof...y%20Wheels.htm
http://www.petepaulsen.com/Catalogof...t%20Rallye.htm
Update: found it - Pete Paulson Wheels ( was close on the name - it's been a couple of yrs since I saw that on here ) Has 14"-17" steel rallys, and 16.5"-20" billet aluminum.
http://www.petepaulsen.com/home.htm
http://www.petepaulsen.com/Catalogof...y%20Wheels.htm
http://www.petepaulsen.com/Catalogof...t%20Rallye.htm
Last edited by eagle275; May 16, 2011 at 11:45 PM. Reason: add
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: baltimore md
how does rim size affect clearance
I'm also considering new rims for my 80... i am wondering how does rim size and tire size affect my exhaust clearance?
if i go 17 inch rims and the required tires, will my clearance go up? I want it to go up about half inch if possible or a little bit more maybe...
with a full tank of gas my heavy 240 lbs body in there, sometimes my new exhaust rubs on high bumps in the road...well it did once... but i would like it to have a little better clearance..
any knowledgeable person's advice will be greatly appreciated..
thanks
tony
if i go 17 inch rims and the required tires, will my clearance go up? I want it to go up about half inch if possible or a little bit more maybe...
with a full tank of gas my heavy 240 lbs body in there, sometimes my new exhaust rubs on high bumps in the road...well it did once... but i would like it to have a little better clearance..
any knowledgeable person's advice will be greatly appreciated..
thanks
tony