15" vs. 17" wheels, that big a difference?
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From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
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Generally, the tire pressure does have to increase for continuous high speed operation, but it's not required until continuous operating speeds go over around 120mph or so with Z rated or better tires. So, it's not like anyone street driving in North America has to worry about this. Heck, even track guys don't because they are not continuously running high enough speeds. They generally use a pressure that achieves the best grip.
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From: Jackson MS
Lots of good info here, thanks. 
Even though both the 15' and 17" tires are the same diameter, it just makes sense that the 15" with the taller sidewall would ride maybe a little smoother and give up some performance because of flex. I think the AR Sprint wheel is a good compromise between the look of the original wheel and the advantage of a modern wheel and tire.
I guess this will be my winter project, take a look at the suspension with the intention of dropping the ride height down an inch or so. Maybe go with the Bilsteins and certainly have my steering box rebuilt. And mount the 17" wheels. Now my issue is finding 245/50/17 and 250/50/17 tires that match. Everybody either makes one or the other that I have found so far. If not, I'll just go with the same size F and R.
And for all of you that want to argue, my next thread is going to be pork pig BBQ....pulled vs. chopped.
Even though both the 15' and 17" tires are the same diameter, it just makes sense that the 15" with the taller sidewall would ride maybe a little smoother and give up some performance because of flex. I think the AR Sprint wheel is a good compromise between the look of the original wheel and the advantage of a modern wheel and tire.
I guess this will be my winter project, take a look at the suspension with the intention of dropping the ride height down an inch or so. Maybe go with the Bilsteins and certainly have my steering box rebuilt. And mount the 17" wheels. Now my issue is finding 245/50/17 and 250/50/17 tires that match. Everybody either makes one or the other that I have found so far. If not, I'll just go with the same size F and R.
And for all of you that want to argue, my next thread is going to be pork pig BBQ....pulled vs. chopped.
However, in 18" diameter.
I've had them for just over a year and they seem to be a good tire.
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From: Grapevine Tx
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The tires on the stock wheels on my 79 were on it when I bought it 11 years ago so even though they still have plenty of tread left, they are getting old. Been reading posts about much improved handling by going to a 17 or even an 18" wheel. Is it that noticeable of an improvement?
Suspension was redone back to stock a few years ago and the steering is tight, especially after making just one small adjustment on the steering box, so it already handles very good.
New 15" tires are about $850, tires and 17" wheels are about double that. I like the look of the stock aluminum wheels but if there really is that big a difference, maybe that's what I'll do.
What say you guys?
Suspension was redone back to stock a few years ago and the steering is tight, especially after making just one small adjustment on the steering box, so it already handles very good.
New 15" tires are about $850, tires and 17" wheels are about double that. I like the look of the stock aluminum wheels but if there really is that big a difference, maybe that's what I'll do.
What say you guys?
Burning Brakes
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I don't care what he was trying to say but he wrongfully interpreted what I posted. I'm not in any pissing match with anyone here either. I merely stated that a 27" tire on a 15" rim is still a 27" tire on a 16"-22" rim. Some folks are really concerned about how well the tire/wheel fills the wheel well. It fills the wheel well the same provided the tire is 27" in diameter.
Burning Brakes
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So, do you like the handling characteristics of the Cobra's on the vette?
With the A traction rating available in that size, it eliminates the more desirable AA, but I guess it's just one more variable to consider in the search for a good tire selection.
I also have to say thank you because your listing the Cobra's made me go out to the garage and look at the tire build dates on that vehicle, so yikes!
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From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
I have a fully built Super 10 with 4.11's in it waiting to go into my frame but I am a long way aways from a live burnout.
Take care my friend.
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From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
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[QUOTE=wendellp601;1595848923]I have Nitto NT-555 G2s on my '77.
However, in 18" diameter.
I've had them for just over a year and they seem to be a good tire.
To Wendellp601
I would like to see more pictures of your car, from the side, looking forward from the rear, etc. I have to say your particular car, with these particular 18" wheels, do look good. I have always been a 15 inch stock aluminum wheel lover, but the tire performance I hear about on these larger wheels is appealing. I just have had a difficult time getting past the looks.....and your is the exception.
However, in 18" diameter.
I've had them for just over a year and they seem to be a good tire.
To Wendellp601
I would like to see more pictures of your car, from the side, looking forward from the rear, etc. I have to say your particular car, with these particular 18" wheels, do look good. I have always been a 15 inch stock aluminum wheel lover, but the tire performance I hear about on these larger wheels is appealing. I just have had a difficult time getting past the looks.....and your is the exception.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Oct 28, 2017 at 05:30 PM.
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From: Jackson MS
[QUOTE=iwasmenowhesgone;1595853664]
I'll PM you some pics so as to not hijack the OP's thread, since he was interested in 17's.
I have Nitto NT-555 G2s on my '77.
However, in 18" diameter.
I've had them for just over a year and they seem to be a good tire.
To Wendellp601
I would like to see more pictures of your car, from the side, looking forward from the rear, etc. I have to say your particular car, with these particular 18" wheels, do look good. I have always been a 15 inch stock aluminum wheel lover, but the tire performance I hear about on these larger wheels is appealing. I just have had a difficult time getting past the looks.....and your is the exception.
However, in 18" diameter.
I've had them for just over a year and they seem to be a good tire.
To Wendellp601
I would like to see more pictures of your car, from the side, looking forward from the rear, etc. I have to say your particular car, with these particular 18" wheels, do look good. I have always been a 15 inch stock aluminum wheel lover, but the tire performance I hear about on these larger wheels is appealing. I just have had a difficult time getting past the looks.....and your is the exception.
I'll PM you some pics so as to not hijack the OP's thread, since he was interested in 17's.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 39,390
Likes: 171
From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
I always thought sidepipes on a rubber bumper car looked out of place but those black pipes with the black wheels pulls it off. Very nice
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From: Jackson MS
I considered 17" wheels, like you.
However, as the spreadsheet that another member posted, it appears that the number of 17" tires offered are starting to decline compared to 18".
Le Mans Master
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I just wrote to the Rev Classic 107 folks and asked them if the 18" x 8" Rev Classic 107 Rallye wheel is available in 4" backspace (to avoid non-stock issues), and I also asked them how much it weighed. I cannot imagine it would weigh more than a stock steel rallye wheel since it's supposed to be polished aluminum??? Per their website the stock rallye wheel caps work....so that would be good.
http://www.rev-wheels.com/rev-wheel....=1270&id=17608
http://www.rev-wheels.com/rev-wheel....=1270&id=17608
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just going to shoot it out there, but often times the "feel" in the old sharks can also be greatly be improved by swapping the seats as well. I put C6 seats in mine (not nearly as hard as everyone pretends it is) and it is hands down the best upgrade I have done to the car. I still have my stock 15's but have new bilistein shocks, a fiber glass leaf, 6 speed magnum trans, and a 383, but I can say, hands down, that swapping the seats was the best upgrade I did.
However I will also disclose that I have a set of 18's with 315 tires waiting and ready for my ride tech swap next winter.
However I will also disclose that I have a set of 18's with 315 tires waiting and ready for my ride tech swap next winter.
Last edited by seans85vette; Oct 28, 2017 at 10:44 PM.
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I just wrote to the Rev Classic 107 folks and asked them if the 18" x 8" Rev Classic 107 Rallye wheel is available in 4" backspace (to avoid non-stock issues), and I also asked them how much it weighed. I cannot imagine it would weigh more than a stock steel rallye wheel since it's supposed to be polished aluminum??? Per their website the stock rallye wheel caps work....so that would be good.
http://www.rev-wheels.com/rev-wheel....=1270&id=17608
http://www.rev-wheels.com/rev-wheel....=1270&id=17608
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
I just wrote to the Rev Classic 107 folks and asked them if the 18" x 8" Rev Classic 107 Rallye wheel is available in 4" backspace (to avoid non-stock issues), and I also asked them how much it weighed. I cannot imagine it would weigh more than a stock steel rallye wheel since it's supposed to be polished aluminum??? Per their website the stock rallye wheel caps work....so that would be good.
http://www.rev-wheels.com/rev-wheel....=1270&id=17608
http://www.rev-wheels.com/rev-wheel....=1270&id=17608
If so, I would be all over them.