Anyone using 16' wheels?
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Mary Esther Florida
Anyone using 16' wheels?
I see alot of discussion about 17" wheels, but I am interested in using 16" wheels. I can get meatier BFG's in the 16" size. I plan to use a 16"X9.5" in the back with 295/50/16" tires and 16"X8" rim on the front with 265/50/16 tires. Has anyone used 16" rims? Will the calipers clear? I want to use Centerline 16" Corona Billet wheels with 5" backspacing on the back and 4" backspacing on the front. I am leaning against the 17's because of difficulty of finding a wide tire that is 27-28 inch tall for the back. Any input is greatly appreciated....Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: absecon nj
Re: Anyone using 16' wheels? (1979VetteMike)
thats funny im looking for the same thing right now i just found a 255/50/17 thats 27",but i want 27.5 to 28 and it seems 16" is a better selection right now.and that 295/50/16 is around 27.5 might be what im looking for too.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
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Re: Anyone using 16' wheels? (1979VetteMike)
My advice...pick your tires before your wheels. I have 16X8 wheels, and I love them, but the tires I really want are all 17". I wanted BFG KD tires, but they are all 17" and up, so I have KDW tires, which I love, but still want KD. Regardless, I just thought I could get pretty much any tire in pretty much any size...well, when you get out of 15" tires the sizes are a little more scarce. Shop around, pick the tires first, then the wheels. I love my wheels, but I should have gone 17" for the tires I wanted to run.
EDIT
I just re-read your post...you are shopping by tire, which is good. The calipers clear 16" wheels from a diameter standpoint, but I am running 1/4" spacers bolted to my Vintage 45s to clear the calipers. No adverse affects, I don't even notice they're there, but I wanted to give you the heads up.
As for clearance on width, depends on backspacing. If I wanted any wider rubber than my 245-50-16s I'd have to relocate the parking brake cable mount or buy the offset t-arms. I may do one or both in the future, but the car hooks pretty nicely with the sticky BFG KD tires.
Shop around, ask around, maybe somebody else has more experience, but I still think I would have gone 17" if I had it to do over.
jeff
[Modified by no_radio, 9:34 PM 12/3/2002]
EDIT
I just re-read your post...you are shopping by tire, which is good. The calipers clear 16" wheels from a diameter standpoint, but I am running 1/4" spacers bolted to my Vintage 45s to clear the calipers. No adverse affects, I don't even notice they're there, but I wanted to give you the heads up.
As for clearance on width, depends on backspacing. If I wanted any wider rubber than my 245-50-16s I'd have to relocate the parking brake cable mount or buy the offset t-arms. I may do one or both in the future, but the car hooks pretty nicely with the sticky BFG KD tires.
Shop around, ask around, maybe somebody else has more experience, but I still think I would have gone 17" if I had it to do over.
jeff
[Modified by no_radio, 9:34 PM 12/3/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
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From: Moro IL
Re: Anyone using 16' wheels? (1979VetteMike)
16" here. 16x8 with 4" backspacing T2's. The calipers will clear fine with the T2's, other rims I don't know about but mine are awfully close.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
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From: Wisconsin
Re: Anyone using 16' wheels? (1979VetteMike)
What about the sawblades in 16x8.5? Those fit with no problems? (And just because I'm curious) 17x8.5 in the front and 17x9.5 in the rear sawblades?
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Anyone using 16' wheels? (73 LS-4)
16" here. 16x8 with 4" backspacing T2's. The calipers will clear fine with the T2's, other rims I don't know about but mine are awfully close.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
