Aftermarket wheels
12-04-2008, 07:47 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Aftermarket wheels
I am looking at aftermarket wheels, I measuresd the factory 15x8 wheels, and they are 4" Backspace is that correct? The plan is to run all 15x8 wheels with P255x60Rx15 tires.
What fits? I did a search here again and came up empty.
What fits? I did a search here again and came up empty.
12-04-2008, 08:19 PM
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2006
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You do have lots of options. You can even use wheels with a much smaller backspacing and wheel adapters to push them out to fit. Using adapters also lets you choose wheels with different patterns. Even if the adapter you want is not found immediately there are plenty of companies that make the adapters...minimum between 1" and 2.5" or so, for any pattern you need.
Just so you know, all Corvette wheels have the same pattern, and for C5 and C6 wheels I know you need 2.5" adapters to space the wheels out.
I have heard that most factory BMW wheels are a metric pattern almost the exact same as a Corvette so they might bolt on as well. You would have to measure.
So say you found an after market wheel that had a 5x5.5" pattern and a 3" backspacing all you would need is a set of four adapters that convert the Corvette pattern to 5x5.5" and 1" thick.
You can leaf through a wheel catalog at most wheel and tire shops and they will call the manufacturer and see if that wheel is made for the Corvette pattern which makes buying them very easy.
Just so you know, all Corvette wheels have the same pattern, and for C5 and C6 wheels I know you need 2.5" adapters to space the wheels out.
I have heard that most factory BMW wheels are a metric pattern almost the exact same as a Corvette so they might bolt on as well. You would have to measure.
So say you found an after market wheel that had a 5x5.5" pattern and a 3" backspacing all you would need is a set of four adapters that convert the Corvette pattern to 5x5.5" and 1" thick.
You can leaf through a wheel catalog at most wheel and tire shops and they will call the manufacturer and see if that wheel is made for the Corvette pattern which makes buying them very easy.
12-04-2008, 08:31 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
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On our 79 I run 15X8 front with 265/50/15 tires, and on the rear I have 15X8 1/2X15 with 295/50/15 without any issues at all. But these tires will not fit the 72 because of rubbing everywhere.
12-04-2008, 08:37 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
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Grumpy 427,
Just noticed you have a 80 Vette, you can push the tires to 50 series without any problems on stock trailing arms.
Just noticed you have a 80 Vette, you can push the tires to 50 series without any problems on stock trailing arms.
12-04-2008, 08:42 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Can i run 50 series all the way around? i was thinking 15x10 on the rear and 15x8 on the front?ok i see you have done that. Any side pictures of your car with the current tire and wheels? i would like to see how they fit.
12-04-2008, 08:53 PM
#6
Racer
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15 x 8 on the front isn't a problem. I have 15 x 10s with a 5" backspace on the rear of my 74. I had to get a shortened fiberglass spring to make it fit (trailing arms were not a problem). I have a 275-60tire that is even with the wheel lip. I would prefer a 10" rim with a 5.5BS, but I couldn't find one that I liked (I have Convo Pros).
12-04-2008, 09:03 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
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[URL="
This is bit of a side view with 15X8.5 rims with 295/50/15 tires on the rear. I can dig up other pictures if needed, but I didn't have to change or move anything for tire clearance using these sizes of rims and tires, no rubbing issues anywhere.
[URL="
12-04-2008, 09:20 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
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12-05-2008, 08:39 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
I ended up going with 17x8's with 4" backspacing to get a better selection of performance tires. They fit perfectly. Put 235/55-17's on them and I have no fitment issues. Very close to the same height as stock so my speedo is accurate.
DC
DC
12-05-2008, 10:12 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I have a chance to buy some wheels and tires. They are 15x8 with a 4.5" BS and a 255x60x15 tire all the way around? Will these fit a 1980 vette without rubbing issues?
12-06-2008, 07:08 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
Just my two cents here. If you were to step up to a 17 inch wheel you will have a much better selection in terms of tire design and compounds to make that car handle much better. There's not a whole lot out there for a 15 inch wheel. IMHO I ran with 15's before I put the 17's on and it's night and day. The car hugs the corners much better with the 50's on 17's than the poor old BFG's 60's I had on 15's. Nevertheless, good luck. I just had to throw that out there!
Last edited by curtis74; 12-06-2008 at 07:12 AM.
12-06-2008, 08:40 AM
#17
Le Mans Master
American Racing AR-136 (Ventura) 15x8 w/ 3.75 back spacing. 255/60R15 tires.
12-06-2008, 09:41 AM
#18
Drifting
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try this link just put your year in and it will give you a pic of how it would look
http://www.autowaretech3.net/nextwheels/fountain.htm
http://www.autowaretech3.net/nextwheels/fountain.htm