69427-02Zo6

I really want to run some American racing Torque-Thrust D wheels on my 69 but have been warned about trailing arm clearance problems. The car has the stiock 15 inch Ralley wheels on it now and P255/60 VR15 Goodyear tires. I'd like to run the same tires. Bolt Circle is 5X4.75. What wheels do I need and has anyone done this to their cars.? Any special problems and anyone have a good source?-Rob

rainman69

It's my understanding that as long as you have at least a 16" diameter wheel and 4" backspacing, you'll be fine. I would think that a good tire/wheel shop would let you see if there are any fit problems on a wheel before buying. :smash:

P.S. -- Where did you find the V rated 255/60R15 tires?


[Modified by rainman69, 10:46 AM 12/11/2001]

70PurpleLS7

I'm assuming this is what your after, I think I had P245's on mine though - not sure. The size you'll need is the 15x7 using a 5/16" or 7/16" wheel spacer to clear your calipers, which kinda takes care of the clearance problem on the trailing arm also.



15x8.5's will force the wheel way out beyond the lip. If you decide to go with the Torque Thrust II's (the polished version), check the AR website, they do make a 15x8 with a 3.75" or 4" offset that fits fine.

One other thing to worry about, they have changed the lug nut to use on these wheels (TT D's). They now use a conical style lugnut instead of the shanked style. Check the amount of stud you have left after using the spacer. I think some members may have had to use longer studs to compensate. I have the old style (shanked) so that was something I didn't need to worry about.



[Modified by 70PurpleLS7, 1:10 PM 12/11/2001]

SmokedTires

70PurpleLS7 did you end up selling your car, I thought you did? Are you looking at any other vettes? It'll be hard to be such a beautiful car as the Purple ;) .

RollingThunder is persently fitting 15" D's to his car. You may want to try him as he has first hand experience. The last I knew, he was going to be installing longer studs for the wheels.

70PurpleLS7

Smoked,

Yeppers, I sold it.. The gentleman who bought it is local so I might see it at various shows in the area. Nope, not looking at any vettes - at least not in the near future. I have a 70 Pro Street Camaro that I've been building going on 4 years now that is sitting in the bodyshop getting work done to it, and hopefully painted before spring.

Long term I might consider it... at this point, trying to take care of finances, the house, and the other money pit. Thanks for asking though. :cheers:

SmokedTires

Purple, there's someone local who's building a non-tubbed 70 Camaro with this aluminum alky sbc. He had it painted purple with a white strip very similar to your LS7. I'll have to get a pic sometime of it.


PS It's nice to see your still hanging around :) .


[Modified by SmokedTires, 2:40 PM 12/11/2001]

spikezz4

I ran 15x81/2" TD's on my 77. I had a machine shop design and blueprint spacers with the GM center flange. They go on exactly right, every time, unlike universal spacers. We also lengthend the studs to have one to two turns of stud outside the nut.

The plans are still available to machine more spacers, at substantially less than I paid for the whole package. The good news is that there are no calipher clearance problems and wheel balance is unaffected.

They look great, too. I bought mine just 150 miles before we started the rebuild, with brand new BFG T/A's. If we go to the tubular steel frame, I'll need to upgrade to the Halibrand 17x9" wheels, so mine may be available for sale; tire and wheels all together.

If you are interested in the GM Center Flange spacers, give the Corvette Clinic in Sanford, FL, a call at 407-323-7804. Ask for Chris or Hope and tell them you are interested in the spacers on Spike's 77 rebuild with the Torque Thrust wheels. They will get you to the right machine shop with the blueprints.

Hope all goes well.

Spike :chevy

Rolling Thunder

All that has been said above is correct. Installation will require spacers to clear the calipers (I'm machining my own 7/16") and with the required lug nuts with the spacers the lug studs will all have to be changed to longer studs. I went with 15"x10" rear and 15"x8.5" front, but I have ZL-1 flares on all four corners to cover them up. I'm also going with offset trailing arms to make sure there is plenty of room for my 325/50/15 BFG Drag Radials.

TT-D's are a lot of trouble, but to me they are worth it.

Good Luck,
Dave

fastback79

I have been inquiring everywhere about putting 15 by 8 Torque Thrust D wheels on my 79' vette. One restoration guide I have read says the brake calipers will need to be machined to fit the wheels on. The guide I read also stated that these wheels would require spacers that would put a lot of pressure on the wheel studs, therefore the lugs would have to be constantly checked. I contacted American Racing and they tried to pursuade me towards the Torqu Thrust II. Here is my solution, check out http://www.vintagewheelworks.com they make a replica called the Vintage 45, that will fit any application. Let me know how it goes.

ScubaJKD

The vintage wheel works 45 still requires the use of a spacer in order to clear the caliper. They dont recommend machining the caliper. No one really does but lots of people have done it without problems.

69427-02Zo6

The V- Rated tires were on the car when I bought it! They are in real good shape!-Rob