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Old Jan 5, 2012 | 01:22 PM
  #1  
383corvette's Avatar
383corvette
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From: Amarillo Texas
Default New wheels

I need some help with new wheels. I've searched around but I dont know what backspacing to go with on the wheels I am looking at? I would like to have 15x8 up front and 15x10 out back. I'm looking at getting Billet Specialties Street lite's and they come in multiple backspacing I'm just at a loss when it comes to figuring out which ones to get.. My wheels now are pathetic to say the least(take a quick glance at the pic).. I would like to be able to run 295s out back on the 15x10. Any help would be great..

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Old Jan 5, 2012 | 01:25 PM
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From: coffee
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4" backspacing is the standard for C3's, not sure if 295's will fit without rubbing, but someone here will know.

Those are good looking wheels.
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Old Jan 5, 2012 | 01:36 PM
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From: Schererville IN
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A 15x10 will not fit your car without offset trailing arms or having the wheel sticking outside the fender. You'd need flares.
These cars where designed back in the early 60's when 15x7 was the standard.

A 15X10 will rub the trailing arms or if you go to a shorter backspace, they will stick out too far. If sticking with a 15" rim, I'd stay with 15x8 all around with 4" backspace.

Either stay with 15x8 or step up to a set of 18" rims. The 18" will clear the bend in the trailing arms and you could probably fit a 9" on the rear without much trouble.

Last edited by blckslvr79; Jan 5, 2012 at 01:39 PM.
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Old Jan 5, 2012 | 03:14 PM
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From: coffee
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
The 18" will clear the bend in the trailing arms and you could probably fit a 9" on the rear without much trouble.
I didn't realize this. Interesting....
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Old Jan 5, 2012 | 04:18 PM
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From: Schererville IN
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Originally Posted by nate99
I didn't realize this. Interesting....
The whole purpose of using offset arms was to be able to tuck wider 15" rims inside the wheel well. This is why most 60's/70's race Vettes where flared to accomodate the wider wheels.

I'm running 19x10 rear wheels with stock trailing arms and no clearance issues, but the 19" diameter clears the trailing arms.
With an 18" or 19" wheel, the limiting factor becomes the inner wheel well instead of the trailing arms.

Last edited by blckslvr79; Jan 5, 2012 at 04:21 PM.
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