17"/18" tires and wheels

[Barrie]

I've owned my '68 roadster since 1970. I just recently installed a
502 Ram Jet. I'm running the old-style, Centerline aluminum wheels with 285/45/15 P7's front and 345/35/15 P7's rear.

Aside from the fact that the Pirellis are getting a bit long in tooth (as am I), I'd like to install larger diameter wheels and taller tires.
The height of the tires I'm running now is about 24 1/2". I'd like to go to 25.5 or 26" high.

I don't want to give up width (the rears I'm running now are about 13" wide). I have plenty of room. Guldstrand "did" the car in about 1983. The fram has been kicked in and I have the L88 flares.

I live in Missoula, Montana, so I can't run down the street and find a supplier. I've done a good bit of searching on the 'net, and called several places. All that I've spoken to say they either don't know anything about it, or they would have the car on-premise to
fit the wheels and tires.

I know what my wheel offsets are and I know how much room I have.

Anyone know of a wheel/tire supplier I can work with?

Thank you, Barrie

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

I've owned my '68 roadster since 1970. I just recently installed a
502 Ram Jet. I'm running the old-style, Centerline aluminum wheels with 285/45/15 P7's front and 345/35/15 P7's rear.

Aside from the fact that the Pirellis are getting a bit long in tooth (as am I), I'd like to install larger diameter wheels and taller tires.
The height of the tires I'm running now is about 24 1/2". I'd like to go to 25.5 or 26" high.

I don't want to give up width (the rears I'm running now are about 13" wide). I have plenty of room. Guldstrand "did" the car in about 1983. The fram has been kicked in and I have the L88 flares.

I live in Missoula, Montana, so I can't run down the street and find a supplier. I've done a good bit of searching on the 'net, and called several places. All that I've spoken to say they either don't know anything about it, or they would have the car on-premise to
fit the wheels and tires.

I know what my wheel offsets are and I know how much room I have.

Anyone know of a wheel/tire supplier I can work with?

Thank you, Barrie

Barrie: Wow! You got me beat on ownership. I've had my '72 coupe since '73. It's now going through transformation again. I'm gonna be running 17X8 stock offset rims & either 225 55R 17 or 235 55R 17 these sizes will put tire & rim height at about 26 1/2" & will fill up the wheel wells pretty much. Mine's all stock as far as body is concerned. This could work for you up front. But, your rear could go much bigger in both tire & rim sizes. There are a few guys on this forum that have gone to 18's & even 20's on the rim size. Also, there have been other threads about this subject recently. Check out the archives. Good luck!

Dave:

 

[69MyWay]

Welcome to CAC!

Get in touch with my friends at www.hvydeez.com

They built me a super set of rims, and they can talk your language. Dave and Lynn are great folks.

That is my car in the banner ad above, and you can see more at

www.mcspeed.homestead.com That should give you an idea of what 18x9.5 front and 18x12 rear look like with your same fender flares.

 

[skeetimer]

Can anyone tell me what the offset is for an '82? Are there any thin 5 spoke wheels (C5 maybe?) that can work on my car? I would like 17s in front and 18s in back. Possible? I have heard something about spacers. What are those? What are the pros and cons of them?

 

[1BAD80]

On a 80 the offset on factory wheels is 4 5/8" . I just put a set of offset trailing arms on my car, now I'm trying to pick a set of rim's. I heard there is a program that can put different style's on a picture on the computer screen to see what they would look like.
With the factory rims I could put 295/50/15 on the rear, but had to change the emergency cable brace. The spacers can be bought from Vette Brakes & Products in different backspaces. If not put on correct, you could loose a tire. I haven't heard of any Thu.
They have them up to 3" offset. They are held on with a set of lug nut's that are recessed.
George

 

[groovyjay]

Welcome to CAC, you have many different choices with wheels. By looking at you set up looks like they need to be custom made. I had my 20" custom made by AR. Other companies like Colorado Customs will also make you a set tailored for your needs.

 

[woobie1966]

hi barrie,
just a side question, were you able to fit the ram jet under the stock hood? i fell in love with that engine the first time i saw it in the gm catalog. how about the electronics? was it hard to program? thanks for the input
mike

 

[Barrie]

1968/Ram Jet & various

Hello:

I've been remiss is responding to the several replies to my initial post due to being out of town, lazyness and other (good, I'm sure) reasons that I can't remember at the moment.

I took the '68 to Sandpoint, Idaho on the trailer last weekend for a vintage car show. Wind, rain, snow, sleet and hail produced a filthy car by the time I got back home.

Washed off several layers of grime today and took pictures. Will scan some this coming week and attempt to post the photos.

Once the photos are in place, will answer the several questions that have been posted.

Barrie, Missoula, Montana

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Re: 1968/Ram Jet & various

Hello:

I've been remiss is responding to the several replies to my initial post due to being out of town, lazyness and other (good, I'm sure) reasons that I can't remember at the moment.

I took the '68 to Sandpoint, Idaho on the trailer last weekend for a vintage car show. Wind, rain, snow, sleet and hail produced a filthy car by the time I got back home.

Washed off several layers of grime today and took pictures. Will scan some this coming week and attempt to post the photos.

Once the photos are in place, will answer the several questions that have been posted.

Barrie, Missoula, Montana

Hi Barrie: Since you're from Montana, is it true there are no posted speed limits on the freeways there? Pics of your Vette would be nice. If you're trailering it to shows, it's gotta look "REAL BOSS"

Dave

 

[Barrie]

Re: Speedlimit

For many years we had no posted speed limit here in Montana.

That changed a couple of years ago. We now have 75 MPH on the freeways and (mostly) 70 MPH on secondary roads.

The good news is: There are few highway patrol cars out there, and they're pretty lenient. I cruised back to Missoula from Billings this last weekend in my '99 roadster at 90 to 110 MPH. Only saw two highway cars in 400 miles and they didn't stop me.

BTW, I'm scanning photos right now.

Barrie