asianlimodriver

Just thought I'd pick the brain trust here on the forum. I ultimately want to put Torque Thrust II's on my 72. The question I have is what are my options when it comes to wheel size. I'm thinking about going with the same size wheel in front and back from a practicality standpoint (tire rotation). I'd like to also go a little bigger than the 15 inch rims that are stock. All this keeping in mind that I prefer not to use spacers or install offset trailing arms (stock car basically). All this in the hopes that if I come across a good deal, I can move quickly.

Let me hear some input. Is anyone running 17x8 on all four corners?

Thanks in advance,
William

Sunstroked

I installed 17x8 cragar wheels with a 4.5" backspace.http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRR-610P783445
I used 225/55/17 bfg g force sport comp 2 tires.
All totaled about $1600. It didn't break the bank. It gives a little different look then the much used tt 2's. Personally I've always been a fan of the cragar style wheel. It's certainly period correct, requires no spacers, all aluminum so is much lighter than the cragar classics. And allows use of a modern hi perf summer tire.
Some call cragars trailer trash wheels. Some believe the 225 width is too narrow. I disagree. My Tires have almost a 9" tread width, and an almost stock dia of 26.8" compared to the oem 27" tire.
I too wanted the option to rotate the tires. I wanted a near stock tire diameter to fill the wheel well without tire rub, and speedo errors, and I wanted a hi perf summer tire. I compared them side by by side to my 295/35/18 rear, 275/40 17 front tires I had on my 92 vette. Believe it or not those tires are 25.5" diameter. They look small compared to the combo I have. Yes the wider tires fit the 92 nicely, but that car was designed for them, the 72 has larger wheel wells, but fitting wider tires has problems with sticking outside the stock fender, (very tacky looking) or rubbing. My opinion is that a taller tire fills it better. Yup I give up some width, 8.7" for mine. No biggie. I'm neither tracking or drag racing.
All in all, I'm extremely happy with the choice I made for my car.

asianlimodriver

Thanks for the input. I'm leaning toward 17x8 as well. Just wanted to get some feedback so that I can start keeping my eye out for a good deal. Thanks

3JsVette

The original wheels are 15x8 with a 4' backspace and the tires are 27" tall.
You mentioned TTIIs so you can go with a 17x8 with a 4" backspace and a 255/50-17 tire is 27" tall. Sometimes the 255/50-17s can be a problem in the front causing some rubbing. If that's the case a 245/50-17 should solve that problem.

asianlimodriver

Thanks for the info. To be honest, all the talk on backspacing on the forum was confusing. 245-50-17's on 17x8 rims sounds like the plan If only I could find a killer deal.

asianlimodriver

I have another question, looking for input. I have the opportunity to buy 4 17x9.5 inch torq thrust II's with 255-40-17 tires. The wheels were on a camaro (not sure what year). With a 17x9.5 inch rim, what back spacing am I looking for on a stock 72 coupe?

qwank

Camaros have different backspacing, and 255/40r17s will look tiny on your car.

you want 4'' backspace on an 8'' wheel for a Corvette

3JsVette

Front wheels will be too wide and tires will be too short.