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In case anyone else is looking, I did contact Trans Am Engineering and they charge $40 (per set) to custom-machine their wheels to any backspace they don't normally stock.
Now I'm just torn on whether I should go with 17s and deal with the limited tire choice or scrap the Superlite idea and get something in 18" that I don't like the look of as much.
IMO, wheels are a component that can make or break the look of your car as tires can make or break the performance as well. I would take the extra time to save for what you really want, and measure, measure, measure to get the precise size and look you want. I hope this helps, enjoy.
If you like the Superlite wheels but want 18" check out these from Team Three LT III wheels.
They are beautiful and they are available in 17" X 8" with 4" or 4.5 backspace and also in 18" sizes in most widths and backspacing.
If you like the Superlite wheels but want 18" check out these from Team Three LT III wheels.
They are beautiful and they are available in 17" X 8" with 4" or 4.5 backspace and also in 18" sizes in most widths and backspacing.
I just purchased a set of 17X8 superlites from Trans Am Engineering, they have a buy 3 and get 1 free sale till the end of the month.
$980.00, machined to a 4" back space and freight included.
That's about the deal I'm considering. What size of tires will you be using scura?
235/55r17 Firestone Indy 500, I just picked them up @ the Tire Rack warehouse in Denver.
They are great looking in person and tested well in the Tire Rack testing. The reason for 235's are they are the correct height, and I shouldn't have any rubbing problems. I also want to be able to turn into driveways and not risk cracking a fender lip on my '75 roadster. They are also priced right. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes
235/55r17 Firestone Indy 500, I just picked them up @ the Tire Rack warehouse in Denver.
They are great looking in person and tested well in the Tire Rack testing. The reason for 235's are they are the correct height, and I shouldn't have any rubbing problems. I also want to be able to turn into driveways and not risk cracking a fender lip on my '75 roadster. They are also priced right. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes
Thanks. I'm waffling between 245/45 and 255/40, gain almost an inch of width in trade for higher RPMs on the highway. The car already screams along because the rear is 4.11, and an OD trans isn't in the near future if I put money into the wheels.
Make your total plan now. If you want a certain wheel/tire combination, and plan to do an overdrive, get what you can now, save for the overdirive and install it when you can. It doesn't have to be done all at once. I'm not in the millionaire's club. I work save and get what I can when I have the $$$ to do so.
I went through the first 16 pages of this thread and then my ADD kicked in.. lol .. I would like to know what is the biggest meat that I can stick under a '81 without too much modification. Definitely no flares, going for a slight road race, grand tour look. What size tire, rim and back space? Probably go with some VB&P suspension mods if that's what it takes to get more meat under it. What do you guys suggest?
2" offset trailing arms for the rear will really open up your rear width options. If that's more than you want to invest, then you are probably looking at a 9"-91/2"" wheel on the rear. The front is where you are more limited in wheel and tire widths. This all depends on front suspension as well and if you plan to lower the car. It all has to work together. Give Dan at Van Steel a call. They will set you up with your suspension mods and then recommend what wheel diameter and widths will work best.
As stated above, just going for more backspace cuts your wheels tracking, which is no big deal on a street car, but if you plan to track your car, it could.
Question: running stock everything including 15" rims on a 71. Want to keep the stock height look. Presently have BFG 225/70/15 but they are 20 years old.
Anyone running BFG TA with:
225/70/15 Front and 255/60/15 on the rear?? Both about same height as original stock (27.4 Front & 27.05 rear). Can I get 255 on rear without modifying, no rubbing, and will the rear tires stick out much past fender?
Thanks for any input.
I'm currently running BFG 245 x 60 x 15's on stock rally's all around. Plenty of clearance on the rear, and they just kiss the inner frame with the steering at full lock on the front. The front of my 73 bb was slightly lowered by the PO using VBP springs. The rear is at stock height. If I went any wider in the rear, there would be little to no clearance between the fire and e brake cable mount.
Question: running stock everything including 15" rims on a 71. Want to keep the stock height look. Presently have BFG 225/70/15 but they are 20 years old.
Anyone running BFG TA with:
225/70/15 Front and 255/60/15 on the rear?? Both about same height as original stock (27.4 Front & 27.05 rear). Can I get 255 on rear without modifying, no rubbing, and will the rear tires stick out much past fender?
Thanks for any input.
Just check the side wall heights between the 225/70/15 and the 255/60/15 so the front tires won't appear taller than the rear. Your measurements show the front are taller meaning the side walls are taller and may look funny with a taller front tire than the rear.
Absolutely love those wheels, Peterbuilt. I had a Dodge Challenger slot car with the cyclone rims on it as a kid in the early 70's and ever since I've wanted those wheels on a corvette. I have the Corvette, still need the wheels! Do you recall where you got them and what you paid?
Hi gbarmore,
Thanks for the compliment. My Car came with those rims in as-cast condition and I had them powder coated a few years later.
They can be found on eBay but get them in 8 & 1/4" wide.
Superlites and Firehawks are on.
17x8 Superlites with a 4" backspace and 235/55R17 Firestone Indy 500s
.
The wheels and tires are great, good ride and they balanced with no more than 3/4 oz of weights.
I went through the first 16 pages of this thread and then my ADD kicked in.. lol .. I would like to know what is the biggest meat that I can stick under a '81 without too much modification. Definitely no flares, going for a slight road race, grand tour look. What size tire, rim and back space? Probably go with some VB&P suspension mods if that's what it takes to get more meat under it. What do you guys suggest?
All of these cars are slightly different for wheel clearance so you need to measure your own car, but I think I'm running some of the widest wheels and tyres under a non-flared C3, I posted all the details here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1596208198.
Those look great, I placed my order last week and can't wait to put them on. Same tires I was thinking about too, those or the RE-71R. Thanks for posting pictures.
01-24-2018, 10:48 AM
