rear wheel size

5580 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Philip, Sep 19, 2012

ttorski

Discussion Starter · Sep 16, 2012

Im running 215 70 15 but I wanna go with much fatter wheel/tire in the back what size of wheel I can go with without any modifications?

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I have 15x7 wheels with 4 inch backspacing and 255/60x15 tires on the back of my 79. Clears with no problem. I believe a 15x8 with 4 1/2 inch backspacing will allow you to fit a 275/60x15 tire. I'll let others confirm. Check the Wheels and Tires forum too. Good info there.

Hope this helps.
Mike

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1977Chad350

· #3 · Sep 16, 2012

15x8 4 1/2 backspace 275/60r15 nitto drag radial 35 psi is the tire im running on the nova 8.5 rearend If it was just a little bit thinner of a tire it would clear. The inner lip is roller up and tight and still rubs on the fattest part of the tire. I also have shackels,drag shocks, and the rear of the car is soft.

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ttorski

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 16, 2012

so whats the current rims size I have?

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Philip

· #5 · Sep 17, 2012

ttorski said:
so whats the current rims size I have?

are they stock? If so 14x6 or maybe 14x7.

I run 17x8 with 0 offset (4.5" back spacing) on the back with a 235/55 ZR17 BF Goodrich gForce Super Sport tire.
Fronts are 17x7 with 4" back spacing with a 225/50ZR 17.

The suspension is lowered about 2" and nothing rubs.

This photo was taken while packed for vacation. There is a lot of extra weight in the trunk.

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ttorski

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 18, 2012

215 70 15

Philip said:
are they stock? If so 14x6 or maybe 14x7.

I run 17x8 with 0 offset (4.5" back spacing) on the back with a 235/55 ZR17 BF Goodrich gForce Super Sport tire.
Fronts are 17x7 with 4" back spacing with a 225/50ZR 17.

The suspension is lowered about 2" and nothing rubs.

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Philip

· #7 · Sep 18, 2012

ttorski said:
so whats the current rims size I have?

We can not answer that based on tire size since they are not the original wheels.

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ttorski

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 18, 2012

ok if I keep front tires/wheels 215x70-15 , and I buy 15 x8 wheels for the rear what size tires I can use? 275x60-15? Like I said I want fat tire in the back

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Philip

· #9 · Sep 18, 2012

275/60 will be tight and may rub unless you get an 8" wheel with 5" of back space.

A wide tire is not needed for traction, there are lots of 10 second cars running a 9" wide tire.

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Mike1979

· #10 · Sep 19, 2012

On the rear I'm running 15x8 with 4.25 backspacing and 255/60/15 tires. On the front I'm running 15x7 with 4.125 backspacing and 215/70/15 tires. All of the suspension is stock with no modifications.

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Mike1979

· #11 · Sep 19, 2012

Philip said:
275/60 will be tight and may rub unless you get an 8" wheel with 5" of back space.

A wide tire is not needed for traction, there are lots of 10 second cars running a 9" wide tire.

Philip, I would be careful of not using too much back spacing on a 15" rim. Here's a photo of my 79 with a 15" corvette rally and 4.5" back space before I pulled the rear end out. Notice the clearance between the lower shock mount and the rim? 5" back space is the most I would use with a 15" rim. A 17" rim might clear it. What's your shock mount clearance look like with a 17" rim?

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Philip

· #12 · Sep 19, 2012

I am running DSE lower spring plates but have seen stock 3rd and 4th gen cars with 5" back space and no issues.
With the 15x8 with 4.5" back spacing on the car there was just under an inch of space between the lower shock mount and the rim.
17" wheels give a little more room, this is with the 17x8 4.5" BS.

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rear wheel size

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ttorski

Philip

ttorski

Philip

ttorski

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Mike1979

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