81pilot

I am looking to get some 17x8 inch wheels and tires. I have three in mind. The Torq Thrust M in black with a polished lip, the Torq Thrust 2.1 Chrome and the chrome SLP ZR1 style 5 spokes. I suck at photoshop or I would try to do what some guys do and put them on my car in pics to see how they look. I am leaning toward the Torq Thrust M black, since I think it would look good with my present 2 tone paint, but I welcome dissenters. Second question is what is the best size tire for a 17x8 wheel on a C3 with no mods needed for fit. Thanks for the help. Momma said OK so I need to act before she changes her mind. Jeff

PS I looked in the wheel and tire section, but there is no C3 filter so it is hard to sift through the questions, So I thought I would ask here, even though I am sure this has all been hashed out. Thanks!

Mark Riles

I agree that a dark wheel might look better with your paint scheme. I love chrome wheels but only on dark painted cars. As far as the size. I am no expert at all but I seem to recall a 225/50/17 being a tire size that will fir a 17x8 rim and get very close to stock overall diameter so the speedometer stays accurate. I am not for sure though so maybe another member has a better memory than this old fellow.

MelWff

I believe 245/45/17, look at www.tirerack.com they give an optional 17" wheel size and tire.

81pilot

That seems to be a popular size on the searches I have done here. AND I want to be able to rotate them, so not interested in different front year sizes.

81pilot

OK....will a 4.5 inch backspace wheel in 17x8 need a spacer to look right? Will I need to go to a 17x7 to get 4 inch if needed? I searched every thread on here for hours and all I want is a 17x8 wheel and tire combo that will work, is there one?? I like the black machine lipped torq thrust M wheels, but they only come in 4.5 inch backspace. Anybody here have a 4.5 inch wheel on a car without spacers that has a pic or an opinion?? HELP!!

3JsVette

Actually it's a 255/50-17 that is 27" tall which is the same height as the stock tire.
As far as the 4.5" backspace goes there are lots of cars on here running large diameter (17s or 18s) with that backspace and it's look fine.

3JsVette

Do a search on here and the C3 general forum using "17s" there is literally hours of reading and several pictures.

81pilot

I know I have been reading for hours tonight.

Ralphbf

I have the SLP wheels with 245/45/17 tires.

They are a close fit.
I had to relocate the E Brake cables and turn a carter keys for two wheels so it wouldn't rub.

I like the look and feel of this set up.

If you want to go wider I'd go with an 18 or 19 inch rim for more clearance
around the ball joints, tie rods and such.
Mine is very close.

Sorry no pictures of the fit.

81pilot

I think I am going with COY's 17x8 inch BlackChrome C-5 wheels (not c-5 Corvette) with 4 inch backspacing. I will put 255-45-17 inch tires on them.

flyeri

You can get the TT 2.1 in 17x8 with 4.1 bs. 255/50, 255/45 or 245/45 will probably work. 4.25 bs might not work with the 255's in the rear without tying the park brake cable to the trailing arm and /or possibly relocating the bracket. Of course you could use a thin spacer if needed.

I put 255/50 on the rear with no issues and 245/45 on the front. I am not particulary worried about rotating as they will dry rot before I put 5000 miles on them.

jb78L-82

Take a look at this thread!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-17-x-8-a.html

nastee383

1975 with TT M's 17x8 245/45 front 255/50 rear. No spacers, no alterations
[IMG] http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/816/imgp1001xk4.jpg [IMG/]

81pilot

Yea, I think I am going to the TT 2.1's from Wheels for less. You can get them with tires already mounted and free shipping at a pretty decent price. The only reason I said 255's was because of the height, they should be 27 like the stockers and fill the fender nicely. I don't mind moving the Ebrake bracket at all, I never use it, I could take it off(but won't) Are those the new tires in your avitar? Car looks great!

81pilot

Thats a good thread thanks. So if I go ahead and run the 255/45-17's I should be fine with the TT 2.1's in 17x8 with 4.07 inches of backspace? As far as I can tell from the tons of threads I "may" have to relocate the ebrake bracket but there should be no other issues, or am I missing something? I am almost there and ready to pull the trigger....

81pilot

So those are the 4.5 inch backspaced "M"'s....hmmmm. That was the original look I was going for, but read so much about the 4.5 inch backspace issues I got concerned and the M is not made in a 4 inch backspace and the TT 2.1 is but is polished or chrome. Do you have any more pics of the entire side and back?

flyeri

Those are the old 15's. The rears were 10" wide with 245/50 tires streched too wide. They stuck outseveral inches.

Marlin

Yea the 245/45-17 is a good choice as many Lux cars come from the factory with that. So many choices and better prices.

texasbaehr

Go with 18x8 Torq Thrust M with 255-45-18. Same diameter and width as the stock 255-60-15. The 18" rim with 4.5 BS will clear the lower ball joint in front since it will be inside the wheel and the rear parking brake cable bracket will also be inside the wheel and won't touch. You can go with a wider tire and wheel on the back if you do relocate the cable bracket. The 18's look great.

81pilot

What about rubbing the frame on the front? Is this what you run?