Stephen Irons

Hi

When we bought our ’78 back in 1990 it came with a set of “Aftermarket copies” of the original alloy wheels. They have been a pain to balance for 26 years, not only because they do not seem to be particularly well cast, but also there is absolutely no clearance between the inner face and the brake callipers, making it impossible to put stick-on weights on the inner rim. So, finally, I think its time to change and I’d like Torque Thrust IIs.

I’d be interested to know of those of you running 15 inch TTIIs and specifically, the sort of clearance they give between rim and calliper. I’m thinking it has to be better than I have now, but I’d like to be certain. Having not long bought a nice new set of BFG RWL tyres, I’m not keen to go up to 16 inch TTs.

And I guess I’d also be interested to know the offset and backspacing measurements for a TTII so they fit as the originals.

Thanks!

MelWff

The link below gives the information on the wheels but the best thing to do would be to sell the tires and buy 17" wheels and tires. The tire performance is so much better with the 17" and up sizes. You want a bolt pattern of 5x120.65. In 15" size the offset is -18 and the back space is 3.79. In 17" size the off set is -11 and back space 4.07. I went with the 17".

http://www.americanracing.com/wheelS...ust-ii-1-piece

ddawson

At 8" you want a 4" back space or -12MM offset.

flyeri

My 17" with 4.07" backspace give about gap the thickness of a nickel between spoke and caliper. When I got the car it had 15" with 3.75(?) BS and they stuck out too far.

I also suggest 17" or 18" wheels for the greater tire selection and better handling.

newbie2vette

I have the new finish chrome TTII in 15X8X4. There's plenty of room for balance weight.

Stephen Irons

Hi Guys

Thanks. I wouldn't want to go to 17 inch as that's not the look I want for mine - sorry! I do like 16s, but as I say, new tyres. Getting them here was not a simple question of "popping around to the local tyre 'shop" either!

Thanks for the offset and back space info. And, thanks Newbie2Vette - It was the clearance for the inner rim stick-on weights that I'm very keen to know about.

newbie2vette

My apologies, I should have been more clear on the type of weights used on the wheels. They are the stick on type on my wheels, as I mentioned plenty of clearance.. Enough when at times the weights happen to align with the calipers, I still can reach between the two to wash that area. Good luck..

Stephen Irons

Wow! Now that IS clearance! Thanks a lot for that! Now to find the money!

newbie2vette

Not sure when you planned on getting your wheels, but I got mine last year at Corvette Carlisle for 600.00 with lug nuts and center caps. I planned on getting the same set for the 79. It is the dark Blue.

Stephen Irons

Ah, I should be so lucky! I live in France now, so the best option is to get them from what I believe may be the biggest if not the only outlet for ARE wheels in Europe, which is back in the UK. Getting anything shipped from the US these days is getting prohibitively expensive alas.

Justin Braune

Where is everyone getting these TTII's with a 4" backspace? The factory doesn't make that backspack:

http://www.americanracing.com/wheelS...ust-ii-1-piece

VN5155863 15" x 8" 5x120.65 0 4.50 POLISHED 83.06 1580 lbs $191 3505293


VN5155861 15" x 8" 5x120.65 -18 3.79 POLISHED 83.06 1580 lbs $191 3505293

augiedoggy

I believe they do but they are a special order size which normally means a higher price as well... Ive been shopping for new rims for my car and found the 4.5" is the most commonly sold backspacing for an 8" wheen due to "0" offset at least when it comes to 18" wheels... I ended up finding 8.5x18" "vision 142" rims with the 4.5" bs or -6mm offset though which will hopefully stick out the same amount as the factory 8" wheels.

I noticed that the prices of the torque thrusts were all over the place... even on ebay there were many sellers demanding as much for one wheel as others wanted for a set of 4 shipped? Do the manufacturer prices really vary that much depending on options? I also noticed that some of these popular wheels used on c3's appear to be made generically in china and branded and sold with different size and finish options such as the case with the Boss 338 and Ridler 695 wheels

American racing makes the TT11 wheel but there are many copies out there by companies like Eagle and US mags (model U107) as well, Just options to look at Since I read the American racing ones are Chinese made now as well..

ddawson

Go to Wheelsforless, select American Racing, then on the top Custom Vintage 2 pc.

Select your size, then bolt pattern and backspace.


These are 18x8 on mine.

ddawson

FYI what they do is take the rim and weld the spokes to the rim at the specified backspace.

If you look closely at this picture you can see the weld on the back of the spokes.

augiedoggy

So this got me doing some research... ironically the "American racing" wheels including the torque thrust series ARE now Chinese made but ironcally you can buy copies from eagle for less $$ which are made in America... Go figure..

ddawson

I know my customs said made in america. They came from Southern California.