tristan69

I am looking at getting new rims for my 69 Vert with stock TA's and wondering if 275/40/18 or 285/40/18 will work without any modifications.

I am looking at a 235/45/17 front and the 18 rear so that I have that hot rod look and it would fill the gap between the rear tire and fender nicer.



They are almost 27" tall and the exact difference between the 275/40/18 and the larger 285/40/18 is: 0.4" width and 0.3" in height which will throw off the speedo a little, but I never look at it anyways and will actually let me run a few RPM's less on the highway.

I wanted to know anyone who has done either rear size and not had to mod anything including the parking brake bracket.

My tire shop suggests 275/40/18 rear and think they will fit, but will not know till they arrive.

Since I am in Canada it is harder to order to try.

Thanks

70 LS1

I run a 17/18 combo like you are talking about. Before I get into the rear, let me say, I would recommend a 245/45/17 front tire as it is more common than 235.

I have 275/40/18 on the rear with a 9.5" rim and 4-7/8" backspacing. Stock trailing arms. The ebrake bracket actually fits inside the 18" rim, but the cable would hit the tire. I don't run an ebrake cable so I removed it, but left the bracket.

I have measured clearance and have more than 1/2" from the tire to anything so I guess I could have run up to 1/2" more backspacing for 5-3/8".

Here are some pics with the 17/18 combo.

Gordonm

Why not run a 255 45 17 in the front. I have had that size for a few years now with no rub issues. The 255 50 17 will rub but not the 255 45 17. Also in the rear the rear sway bar will have to be removed or some here have shortened or rebent it. I run a 275 40 18 rear tire and it just fits in nicely. Move the ebrake bracket to the top of the trailing arm and it will all fit and my ebrake works fine.

tristan69

Nice car!

I just upgraded the parking brake to all Stainless Steel and would like to keep it.

Any suggestions on how I could do this?

Is your setup 245/45/17 and 275/40/18 then?

I can do the 245's if they clear nicely.

Thanks

70 LS1

Like Gordon said, you can move the bracket to the top of the trailing arm and retain all your parking brake hardware.

Yes...Kumho Ecsta MX (which they aren't making right now)

tristan69

Thanks, I like your setup.

What rims do you have, and at what offset?



I kinda want the back a little higher than the front with the same gap in the wheel well.

All the best

Gordonm

That is an old picture with 17s all around. I did not like that setup in the rear. I now run 18X10 TTIIs with a 5.5 backspace. Here is a little better picture

tristan69

Sweet!

So is this your setup 255/45/17 front on 17 x 8 with a 4.5 offset and 275/40/18 back on 18 x 10 with 5.5 offset?

How is the side profile, do they align right up with the lip?

I kinda wanted the rubber height to look the same on the front and rear, and thus the 235/45/17.

What do you think?

Billysvette

Here is foose nitrous copies at a fraction of the cost.









these are boss motorsport rims,$650.00 for all 4 rims.18 x 9.5 but they measure 10 inches and 18 x 8

Gordonm

My fronts are a 17X8 with a 4 inch backspace, same backspace as stock. here is the best down the side shot I have. The drivers side is a little better fit than the passenger side. For some reason the car sits on the frame a little offset to one side. I have measured a few cars and they are the same as mine. I can take more shots if you need them.

Actually the 255 45 17 is very close in sidewall and tire size to the 275 40 18. The 235 is quite a bit smaller tire than the 275 40 18. Go to the tire size calculator and compare sizes and see. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
The 245 45 17 is exactly the same sidewall as the 275 40 18 but is an inch smaller in diameter. That to me would look worse than the slight difference in sidewall.

tristan69

Wow, that is a crazy price.

Do you know the wheel weight, and where you got them?

Thanks

tristan69

Thanks so much, so what do you think about my question on the rubber height?

I like the look so that the rubber is the same or bigger in the back.

Your back looks like it might be smaller than the front.

If I go 235/45/17 I think it is .4" less rubber height so it should be closer.

Or I find a little taller back 275/45/18

Better to check here and ask all the questions first and then order them.

Not much stock in Canada at store level, they all order from the US.

Thanks again.

Billysvette

Dont know wheel weight but they are heavier then the billets.the wheels are cast aluminum.I got them off ebay from a dealer,if interested i will get the dealers site and info.I will never own polished aluminum or chrome wheels ever again,too much time and care for them.chrome rust and aluminum pitts and wheel rubber height is the same on both front and back.

gkull

On my front I have one set of 4 inch BS on 9 inch wheels with 255/45/17

I have a second set of of 4 inch bs 17X10 rims where I run 275 or 295 fronts



On the Rear I have 5 inch BS with both 17 & 18 X 12's rims. I ran a 285/40/17 years ago on a 17X11 inch rim with 5 inch bs.

For me 4 inch front bs and 5 inch rear has worked the best

Gordonm

You don't want to go to small in the front or the tire will get lost in the wheel well. Yes it would look nice with fatter sidewall in the rear but if the tires are so small up front it might look funny also. I don't know if a 285 45 18 tire is made. The 275 40 18 is a very common tire and is used on the newer Vettes so it will be around for a while and your selection is pretty good.

70 LS1

Thats funny, because thats exactly what I wanted. A little smaller front with the same sidewall height as the rear.

Everyone has different tastes.

Gordonm

Mine front is actualy a little smaller also. 26 diameter front 26.7 diameter rear. We are only talking fractions here.

OregonVette80

that's a very pretty car

tristan69

SOLD!!!

I will go for the 245 45 17 and 275 40 18.

My car is in getting painted so I can't visualize changing the parking brake bracket. Did you grind out the old one and weld a bracket on the top?

Thanks

Gordonm

Yes. I just cut it off with a cut off wheel and welded it on the top. I just did another forum members car a week ago with the same mod. Make sure you measure it out and install it in the correct place. It does not have to be exact but getting it close makes the install easier.