16 or 17 inch wheels
 

I'm due for new rubber. Not worn out. Just old. I have 255/60-15 BFG's on it now. I like the size, but there's not much available in 15" anymore. Anyone have 16 or 17" wheels and tires that work out to about the same size. Any pics?

16" tires are on the way out as well, selection wise. Look at 17" or 18" or depending on how you roll (pun intended) 17's and 18's.


Rob

18's are yor best bet. boss 338 18x8 all around with 245/45 front, 255/50 rear.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...i/100_0089.jpg

I like 17's. 18's give you too much of that "donk" look on the older vettes.

Go for the classic 'Torque Thrust II' by American Racing.

Product Number: 5057861
Size: 17x8
Product Description:
17X8 TORQ-THRUST II 5X4.75
Fully polished
Backside Spacing (in/mm):4/102
Offset: -11.43 mm


:cheers: Les

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...cture001-1.jpg

17 or 18 the selection of sizes and rubber are way better. I have 17 front and 18 rear.

Don't even consider the 16s. If you are looking to upgrade 17s or 18s are the way to go. There are plenty of options with tire size to stay near the stock 27" overall tire diameter.

18 doesn't look right on older cars, you want those sell and move up to c4-c6 car.

18 inch rear and 17 inch front
275-40-18 rear and 245-45-17 front


http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...e/DSC04024.jpg

16s ... :(
 

I ran 255/60/15s and upgraded to 16" rims :( .. I liked the way they look however the rubber selection is limited and hard to get a hold of. I ended up with Dunlops D8000's I think ... on the rear. The look is good but I am going to upgrade again to 17s. I wish I would have gone that route the first time!!:ack:

carbster09

I have to say those Torque Thrust look sick...:thumbs: I have gone both ways for shows I put the stock wheels on with BFG, and have 17's for fun.

:iagree: I've had 16" before and there's not much to choose from...17" and 18" are your best choice and have a good size selection and they will look close to the stock size...jmo

Forget 16's. I run 17's on SLP rims which fit perfectly with zero modifications or spacers. 255/45/17 ZR's in front and 255/50/17 ZR's in back. Don' buy junk tires with S/T speed ratings if you want maximum performance!

[IMG]http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMG_0273.jpg[/IMG]

Aftermarket wheel sizes for C-3
 

I have a 1980 C-3 that I am currently restoring. It had the original 15"x8" wheels with 255-60-17 tires. I had to go with larger wheels to clear some new larger C-6 Z06 brakes front and rear. I had access to a set of 17" wheels and also a set of 18" wheels. These wheels had tires mounted so I had a few car guy friends come over and we looked at the 17" and 18" wheels on the car, switching them back and forth a few times so we could get a good look. We all agreed that although the 18" wheel would work, the 17" wheel seemed to fit the car a little better as far as not making the wheel look to large for the car. I then ordered some 17"by9" wheels from Year One, they call them snowflake wheels, they are a remake of the 70's Trans Am wheel. They kind of look like the old BBS wheels that you see on some older cars, I've seen the BBs on a lot of older BMW etc. Anyway, the wheels fit perfect and the 1980 Corvette centercaps snap on these wheels. Hope this helps. Thanks

Here's a couple pictures of my 1980 with 17x9.5" Z06 wheels, 2.5" wheel adapters, and Nitto NT555 Extreme tires 275/40 ZR17 front and rear. Plus, I can rotate the tires. :thumbs:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee4/riddik11/112.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee4/riddik11/113.jpg

17 or 18" Vintage Wheel Works V40's:thumbs:


http://www.vintagewheelworks.com/products/wheels/v40

Dude, 17's and 18's are the way to go! Find the style you like and do your homework on the back spacing and tire width/height. There is a lot of excellent advice on the forum.

anybody have the website for Paul's Wheels? CA or FL, can't remember which. Also has a cool photo gallery. Thanks! :thumbs:




Update: found it - Pete Paulson Wheels ( was close on the name - it's been a couple of yrs since I saw that on here ) Has 14"-17" steel rallys, and 16.5"-20" billet aluminum.


http://www.petepaulsen.com/home.htm


http://www.petepaulsen.com/Catalogof...y%20Wheels.htm



http://www.petepaulsen.com/Catalogof...t%20Rallye.htm

I just bought some Boss 338's, 18x8 front and 18x9.5 rear. They fit perfect.

how does rim size affect clearance
 

I'm also considering new rims for my 80... i am wondering how does rim size and tire size affect my exhaust clearance?

if i go 17 inch rims and the required tires, will my clearance go up? I want it to go up about half inch if possible or a little bit more maybe...

with a full tank of gas my heavy 240 lbs body in there, sometimes my new exhaust rubs on high bumps in the road...well it did once... but i would like it to have a little better clearance..

any knowledgeable person's advice will be greatly appreciated.. :willy:

thanks
tony