Question about wheels
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Question about wheels
Hi, everybody!
I would like to preface my question by saying that I am not being sarcastic, I genuinely don't understand something, and I am wondering if somebody can enlighten me about it. OK, here goes nuthin'.......
I have noticed that some people like to install different diameter wheels on their C3 'vettes, for example, 17" in front, 18" in back. What is the reason for doing this?
Keep it between the ditches!
Scott
I would like to preface my question by saying that I am not being sarcastic, I genuinely don't understand something, and I am wondering if somebody can enlighten me about it. OK, here goes nuthin'.......
I have noticed that some people like to install different diameter wheels on their C3 'vettes, for example, 17" in front, 18" in back. What is the reason for doing this?
Keep it between the ditches!
Scott
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I'm not sure I get what ya mean, Tim, but if it's what I think ya mean, wouldn't that have more to do with the width of the wheel and tire combo, and the diameter of the tire, than the diameter of the wheel?
Keep it between the ditches!
Scott
Keep it between the ditches!
Scott
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
The biggest reason that see is that you can have a taller wheel/tire combo on the rear without it looking like different size tires. Your eye does not see the different wheel size because the tires have approximately the same sidewall height. The C5/C6 is that way and you dont notice that the rear tire is taller. Now exactly what that does for you in handling, I don't know. Someone here can enlighten us. I like the look of a big tire on the back so I have 17's all around with wider/taller tires in the back.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
The biggest reason that see is that you can have a taller wheel/tire combo on the rear without it looking like different size tires. Your eye does not see the different wheel size because the tires have approximately the same sidewall height. The C5/C6 is that way and you dont notice that the rear tire is taller. Now exactly what that does for you in handling, I don't know. Someone here can enlighten us. I like the look of a big tire on the back so I have 17's all around with wider/taller tires in the back.
Keep it between the ditches!
Scott
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery TX
18" on the front will allow a bit wider tire without hitting the lower ball joint since it's inside the wheel. Can't go with any wider than 8" wheels and a 275 tire becoause they will start rubbing elsewhere. In the back an 18 x 9 with 4.5 BS and a 275 tire will fit with no mods on most C3's. The parking brake bracket will be inside the wheel and don't need to be cut off and relocated to the top of the trailing arm.
Please note I say Most C3's. Every one has slightly different geometry and what might clear on one may be tight on another.
Best thing to do is find another C3 owner locally with custome wheels buy him a six pack to come over and pull one of his wheels and try it on your C3. Saves a lot of hassles.
I found 18 x 8 with 4.5 BS US Mags and TT M's will fit with no clearance issues with 255-45-18 front and 275-40-18 rear. Diameters are almost exactly as stock, fronts same width, rears are an inch wider.
Please note I say Most C3's. Every one has slightly different geometry and what might clear on one may be tight on another.
Best thing to do is find another C3 owner locally with custome wheels buy him a six pack to come over and pull one of his wheels and try it on your C3. Saves a lot of hassles.
I found 18 x 8 with 4.5 BS US Mags and TT M's will fit with no clearance issues with 255-45-18 front and 275-40-18 rear. Diameters are almost exactly as stock, fronts same width, rears are an inch wider.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
18" on the front will allow a bit wider tire without hitting the lower ball joint since it's inside the wheel. Can't go with any wider than 8" wheels and a 275 tire becoause they will start rubbing elsewhere. In the back an 18 x 9 with 4.5 BS and a 275 tire will fit with no mods on most C3's. The parking brake bracket will be inside the wheel and don't need to be cut off and relocated to the top of the trailing arm.
Please note I say Most C3's. Every one has slightly different geometry and what might clear on one may be tight on another.
Best thing to do is find another C3 owner locally with custome wheels buy him a six pack to come over and pull one of his wheels and try it on your C3. Saves a lot of hassles.
I found 18 x 8 with 4.5 BS US Mags and TT M's will fit with no clearance issues with 255-45-18 front and 275-40-18 rear. Diameters are almost exactly as stock, fronts same width, rears are an inch wider.
Please note I say Most C3's. Every one has slightly different geometry and what might clear on one may be tight on another.
Best thing to do is find another C3 owner locally with custome wheels buy him a six pack to come over and pull one of his wheels and try it on your C3. Saves a lot of hassles.
I found 18 x 8 with 4.5 BS US Mags and TT M's will fit with no clearance issues with 255-45-18 front and 275-40-18 rear. Diameters are almost exactly as stock, fronts same width, rears are an inch wider.
That is an A+ answer!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Strictly done for fuel mileage!
Big wheel/tire combo in rear.
Smaller wheel/tire combo in front.
The vehicle is actually nose down; therefore on a flat surface the car is always going downhill.
OK, maybe it looks better with some styles. Personal preference.
Dan
Big wheel/tire combo in rear.
Smaller wheel/tire combo in front.
The vehicle is actually nose down; therefore on a flat surface the car is always going downhill.
OK, maybe it looks better with some styles. Personal preference.
Dan
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
18" on the front will allow a bit wider tire without hitting the lower ball joint since it's inside the wheel. Can't go with any wider than 8" wheels and a 275 tire becoause they will start rubbing elsewhere. In the back an 18 x 9 with 4.5 BS and a 275 tire will fit with no mods on most C3's. The parking brake bracket will be inside the wheel and don't need to be cut off and relocated to the top of the trailing arm.
Please note I say Most C3's. Every one has slightly different geometry and what might clear on one may be tight on another.
Best thing to do is find another C3 owner locally with custome wheels buy him a six pack to come over and pull one of his wheels and try it on your C3. Saves a lot of hassles.
I found 18 x 8 with 4.5 BS US Mags and TT M's will fit with no clearance issues with 255-45-18 front and 275-40-18 rear. Diameters are almost exactly as stock, fronts same width, rears are an inch wider.
Please note I say Most C3's. Every one has slightly different geometry and what might clear on one may be tight on another.
Best thing to do is find another C3 owner locally with custome wheels buy him a six pack to come over and pull one of his wheels and try it on your C3. Saves a lot of hassles.
I found 18 x 8 with 4.5 BS US Mags and TT M's will fit with no clearance issues with 255-45-18 front and 275-40-18 rear. Diameters are almost exactly as stock, fronts same width, rears are an inch wider.
Keep it between the ditches!
Scott
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
So 17x8's will fit my 72 all the way around? and 255/50/17's will fit all the way around even in front? Could I go with a 275/50/17 on the rear without rubbing or relocating the ebrake bracket?
I think with the new 383 pushing 500 hp/tq I am going to need something with more traction...
Thinking of putting these..
and these...
on this...
I think with the new 383 pushing 500 hp/tq I am going to need something with more traction...
Thinking of putting these..
and these...
on this...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
So 17x8's will fit my 72 all the way around? and 255/50/17's will fit all the way around even in front? Could I go with a 275/50/17 on the rear without rubbing or relocating the ebrake bracket?
I think with the new 383 pushing 500 hp/tq I am going to need something with more traction...
Thinking of putting these..
and these...
on this...
I think with the new 383 pushing 500 hp/tq I am going to need something with more traction...
Thinking of putting these..
and these...
on this...
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,919
Likes: 3,333
From: NYC NY
Please note I say Most C3's. Every one has slightly different geometry and what might clear on one may be tight on another.
Best thing to do is find another C3 owner locally with custom wheels buy him a six pack to come over and pull one of his wheels and try it on your C3. Saves a lot of hassles.
Best thing to do is find another C3 owner locally with custom wheels buy him a six pack to come over and pull one of his wheels and try it on your C3. Saves a lot of hassles.
Great advise that should not be taken lightly. 
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
Tire and wheel sizes
FWIW, I have a 1980 C3 with 17" by 9" wheels with 4.5" backspace, tires are 275/40/17. Perfect fit on the front and rear. I do have offset trailing arms on the rear, but the same wheel and tire fit the rear of a friends 74 C3 which had the stock trailing arms. Hope this helps. Thanks PS Forgot to say I have the VBP bump steer kit on my front end, which seems to help a little with the wheel/tie rod clearance. These wheels would come close to the outside tie rods on the stock front.
Last edited by Buddy1980; Feb 26, 2012 at 12:07 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
MakoShark72
So 17x8's will fit my 72 all the way around? and 255/50/17's will fit all the way around even in front? Could I go with a 275/50/17 on the rear without rubbing or relocating the ebrake bracket?
I think with the new 383 pushing 500 hp/tq I am going to need something with more traction...
Wow
We need a photoshop expert to show the differences.
So 17x8's will fit my 72 all the way around? and 255/50/17's will fit all the way around even in front? Could I go with a 275/50/17 on the rear without rubbing or relocating the ebrake bracket?
I think with the new 383 pushing 500 hp/tq I am going to need something with more traction...
Wow
We need a photoshop expert to show the differences.
