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Nov 16, 2004 | 07:41 AM

pferrall

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 22

Likes: 1

From: Delray Beach, Florida

what wheels

what wheels do some of you run? I have a '72 lt-1, and want to upgrade my wheels. I am thinking of going to a 16" or 17' wheel, and would like to stay pretty simple, such as cragers s/s, or TT-II's. I know I need a 4" b/s, with 0" offset. I am hoping somebody in this forum has already done his homework and will be willing to enlighten me. I also need to know if I do go to a larger wheel, what size tire can I go to that will fill out the wheel well as much as possible and also keep my speedo as accurate as possible. Thanks

Last edited by pferrall; Nov 16, 2004 at 07:46 AM.

Nov 16, 2004 | 07:54 AM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,720

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From: Chattanooga TN

I have 16" IROC wheels, 4 fronts. Rears won't fit without adapters, and I refuse to use them.

Nov 16, 2004 | 07:56 AM

PatsLs1vette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 9,622

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From: absecon nj

I running boys coddington starburst 17x9.5 rears and 17x8's for the fronts with 4 inch bs.Rear tires are 275/50/17's there 27.8 tall and fill the wheel well out nice,the fronts are 255/50/17's.NItto nt -450's.You could run 17x8's all the way around with 255/50/17's and be able to rotate them too.

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/patsvette/dsc01361.jpg

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/patsvette/dsc01365.jpg

Nov 16, 2004 | 08:19 AM

lvrpool32

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Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 3,637

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From: Norwalk Ct

Quote:

Originally Posted by pferrall

You deffinately need to stick to 4" backspace but this is not 0 offset, offset and backspace are 2 different measurements, as I found out to my cost recently.

Backspace is the measurement from the rear of the mounting flange to the outer lip of the wheel.

Offset of a wheel is a measurement from the centerline of the wheel to the edge of the tire mounting surface.

For example, I have 17 x 8 TTII's....they are 4" backspacing but the offset is -12
If you measure a 8" wide wheel it is actually closer to 9" from outer lip to outer lip, but the tire moutning surface is 8" apart.

I run 255/50 - 17's all around and they fill out the arches quite nicely and I have no speedo calibration issues.

Cheers,
Nick

Nov 16, 2004 | 08:22 AM

Twin_Turbo

Race Director

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 16,945

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Tires for 16" wheels are getting hard to get, the choice is really limited there. 17s would be much easier.

Nov 16, 2004 | 08:26 AM

CGGorman

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2004

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From: Smile, it's just the internet.

Wheel Vintiques Billet Rallye with argent powdercoated centers 17x9 (or is it 8? can't remember...) with 255/50-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE750's .

Nov 16, 2004 | 08:32 AM

LFZ

Team Owner

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 30,183

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From: Lake Norman NC

CG..those wheels look great! I might have to get me a set of those

Nov 16, 2004 | 08:35 AM

Eddie 70

Race Director

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 19,659

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From: Lenoir City Tennessee

Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran

St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15

Quote:

For example, I have 17 x 8 TTII's....they are 4" backspacing but the offset is -12
If you measure a 8" wide wheel it is actually closer to 9" from outer lip to outer lip, but the tire moutning surface is 8" apart.

I run 255/50 - 17's all around and they fill out the arches quite nicely and I have no speedo calibration issues.

Liverpool,
Those tires in your sig pic are 17's with white letters? If so, that is great. One of the reasons I have been avoiding going 17 is because I love the white letters of the 15 inch BFG's.

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Nov 16, 2004 | 09:21 AM

lvrpool32

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Joined: Jan 2001

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From: Norwalk Ct

Yup, they are 17's with white letters.........I found a pen that people use to clean up whitewall tires, not the simplest and quickest method...but a good cleaning and patience and two coats and the finished tire looks pretty damn good. They stand up pretty well to, I did them once and washing and driving they still come out good with a quick clean with a cloth.

Nick

Nov 16, 2004 | 09:28 AM

#10

comp

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2003

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From: eville in

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvrpool32

what about tire dressings ????

Nov 16, 2004 | 09:45 AM

#11

lvrpool32

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Joined: Jan 2001

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From: Norwalk Ct

I'm not into the "shiney" look stuff, I use Endust or Pledge to give a nice satin shine and that does not effect the letters in anyway.

Nov 16, 2004 | 10:12 PM

#12

Solid LT1

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 5,727

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From: Fremont CA

Here is my LT-1 with it's 16" Torque Thrust II's

Nov 16, 2004 | 10:29 PM

#13

litevette

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Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 4,175

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From: out of nowhere

wheels

If you are lucky, you can find a wheel store that has a computer program that allows you to "virtually" try out different wheel and tire combinations. Theres one here in town that has it. The program lets you try on different rims, different tires (with different profiles too), see the wheels in motion, change the color of your car and even raise or lower your car. Too bad tire rack doesn't have old vette's or any of the other features I just mentioned. By the way, Lvrpool seems to know a lot about tire profile and spacing so you might want to dig deeper with him.

Nov 16, 2004 | 10:42 PM

#14

ICEMAN59

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,360

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From: COVINGTON LA

I am running Intro wheels they have a large selection and custom make them to fit your vehichle, with Nitto /T-450's 255/50/17 front and 275/50/17 rear. The front looks kinda high because the enginge is out but with the engine in they fill the wheel wells nicely