Options on wheel size
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 226
From: PA
Options on wheel size
I would eventually like to go to a 17" rim on my 80 but I don't want to have to make any changes to the trailing arms. I am satisfied with the stock 255 tire width. Looking to keep the original 27" overall tire height. Two questions.
Is there a reasonable selection of tire options in this range? basically if I have my numbers right, something near a 255 width and 40 ratio.
Looking at 17 inch rims it seems most have some offset where, if I understand correctly, the original rims are pretty much 0 offset. How much offset can I have before I should plan for a shorter rear spring - or should I just order one a 1/2 shorter on each end now. I plan to order a composite wiithin the week, and run it on the stock tires until the bank account recovers?
Is there a reasonable selection of tire options in this range? basically if I have my numbers right, something near a 255 width and 40 ratio.
Looking at 17 inch rims it seems most have some offset where, if I understand correctly, the original rims are pretty much 0 offset. How much offset can I have before I should plan for a shorter rear spring - or should I just order one a 1/2 shorter on each end now. I plan to order a composite wiithin the week, and run it on the stock tires until the bank account recovers?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 311
Likes: 37
From: Sparta NC
Back over the summer I had to have new tires and wanted the bigger wheel for a better tire selection. I went with 17" TT I is. A 255/50-17 will keep you at the 27" diameter. I wanted wider wheels on the back but didn't have time to move the parking brake brackets to the tops of the trailing arms so I stayed with 8" wide rims. The original aluminum wheels were 8" wide with a 4" backspace. Backspace and offset are pretty much different ways of measuring the same thing. The TT IIs were a 4.07 backspace -11mm offset. If you stick with those specs you shouldn't have any problems. If you are changing the rear spring anyway, I would go ahead and have it shortened so whatever you do or want in the future, there won't be any problems. Mine is an 81 btw. Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
255/50R17 is basically an exact match in dimensions to the 255/60R15s. Unfortunately there is not a huge range of choice in this size at the moment, but there's a couple of Nitto options and a Falken, maybe one or two others last time I looked (~12 months ago). I had the Nitto Invos in 255/50R17 and they were a decent tyre, worlds better than the 15" options, but not as good as the Continental ExtremeContact Sports that I now have on the car (in a shorter 285/40R17). The taller Nittos looked better though, and would have fit on a 17x8 with 4" backspace without any modifications, as you desire.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 226
From: PA
Back over the summer I had to have new tires and wanted the bigger wheel for a better tire selection. I went with 17" TT I is. A 255/50-17 will keep you at the 27" diameter. I wanted wider wheels on the back but didn't have time to move the parking brake brackets to the tops of the trailing arms so I stayed with 8" wide rims. The original aluminum wheels were 8" wide with a 4" backspace. Backspace and offset are pretty much different ways of measuring the same thing. The TT IIs were a 4.07 backspace -11mm offset. If you stick with those specs you shouldn't have any problems. If you are changing the rear spring anyway, I would go ahead and have it shortened so whatever you do or want in the future, there won't be any problems. Mine is an 81 btw. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 226
From: PA
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
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From: Niles, MI
I would eventually like to go to a 17" rim on my 80 but I don't want to have to make any changes to the trailing arms. I am satisfied with the stock 255 tire width. Looking to keep the original 27" overall tire height. Two questions.
Is there a reasonable selection of tire options in this range? basically if I have my numbers right, something near a 255 width and 40 ratio.
Is there a reasonable selection of tire options in this range? basically if I have my numbers right, something near a 255 width and 40 ratio.
A 255/45R18 is also 27" diameter. Tire Rack has 27 choices for a performance tire in that size. And the trend is only going to continue in that direction.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 226
From: PA
I would go to an 18" wheel if I was making the change. As others have stated, if you want to stay with a 27" you would want to go with a 255/50R17 size tire. Tire Rack only offer 1 performance tire in that size.
A 255/45R18 is also 27" diameter. Tire Rack has 27 choices for a performance tire in that size. And the trend is only going to continue in that direction.
A 255/45R18 is also 27" diameter. Tire Rack has 27 choices for a performance tire in that size. And the trend is only going to continue in that direction.