sizing torq thrust II's on a 65

[fredd65]

hi..65 convertible with 4 wheel discs....i want to put torq thrust II's on it...can i put 15x8's on it or am i asking for trouble?...anyone know the the correct 4 digits after the 505 series number i need?...it would read like this....505XXXX...the last 4 numbers decode wheel width, backspacing, offest and bold circle size...i thought this would be a simple matter of telling a dealer what i have and he'd tell me what fits...everyone seems to say buy them and try them on...seems crazy to me...also, does anyone know where to get these wheels in chrome and not polished ...american racing...shows them as c4055761

 

[Tom Bryant]

About the only thing I can answer is that I read that American offers them chromed or even custom colored centers through their own American Racing Custom Shop. I was going to check on the site but can't get it to work right now.

Tom

 

[WayneC]

Here's a size chart:

http://www.streetortrack.com/torq-thrust-II.asp

Frankly, you risk damage with anything wider than 6 inches, which you may be able to get as a custom size for additional cost.

I doubt you could get a satisfactory fit with an 8" rim, you'd at least have to install offset trailing arms in the rear and I doubt they'd fit at all in the front without trashing the fenders and rubbing the frame.

Looks to me like 505-5761 is the only standard size close enough to try fitting... the 7 inch rim will bring the tire an inch closer to the fender lip than a stock rally wheel setup (probable damage going over bumps on turns), even closer since you'll likely choose a wider than stock tire, and the tire will also be at least a half inch closer to hitting the frame on hard turns (front) and the frame-mounted brake fittings (rear), so measure what clearances you've got now and be careful.

Maybe you could contact the owners of these cars for pointers:

http://www.coolwheels.com/product_display.cfm?product_id=635

http://www.cars-on-line.com/66corv15013.html

http://www.chazcone.com/63-67corvette/stories/larkin.htm

 

[youwish2bme]

Well let me try this again.. My connection was lost... I don't have 15" AR TTII's however I was running 15x7 rallies with 215/70/15's and had minor rubbing. Then I changed to 17X7 w/ 4" Backspacing AR TTII's. I have had no rubbing except for a little on the frame rail when I turn the wheels to full lock.. Not a problem to me... Search the archieves here and at the other Corvette site and you should find your answer.... Dave..

OH forgot to add no and yes on the statement that you will have damage if you go wider than 7". The wheels tuck into the fenders when the suspension compress's so normal driving is not where you may damage a fender.. It is the front fenders that you have to be careful of when entering or leaving steep driveways or the such that will compress the suspension while the front wheels are at extreme turn ... Also with 15" rims your tire width is a lot less at the contact patch. As with my 17" the tires are more squared so I have over 8" of contact patch The reason that I mention that also is that you have less of a chance of catching a fender lip with the 15" unless you try to squeeze a very large tire onto the 7" rim...... Hope this helps... Let me know and I can post some pics... Dave...

 

[fredd65]

hi, thanks for the info...i have a set of 15x8 torq thrust II's with 215/70/15 tires i got from a guy that had them on a 66 and said he had no problems and stock suspension, no offset trailing arms...it sure sounds like you know your sizing...i have 15x7 rally wheels and i'm not positive what they came off of that do fine on it...i did some measuring and the 15x8 torq thrusts have about 3/4" less backspacing than the 15x7 rallys....i just redid the whole car and sure don't want to damage anything....have you ever seen 16" torq thrust II's on a midyear?...also, while i'm picking your brain, do you know where you can get the torq thrust II's in chrome?
if i end up buying new TT II's maybe i should go to 6"...and now i'm not sure what size tires to use..obviously, i'm no expert on this stuff..thanks a bunch, i do appreciate it

Here's a size chart:

http://www.streetortrack.com/torq-thrust-II.asp

Frankly, you risk damage with anything wider than 6 inches, which you may be able to get as a custom size for additional cost.

I doubt you could get a satisfactory fit with an 8" rim, you'd at least have to install offset trailing arms in the rear and I doubt they'd fit at all in the front without trashing the fenders and rubbing the frame.

Looks to me like 505-5761 is the only standard size close enough to try fitting... the 7 inch rim will bring the tire an inch closer to the fender lip than a stock rally wheel setup (probable damage going over bumps on turns), even closer since you'll likely choose a wider than stock tire, and the tire will also be at least a half inch closer to hitting the frame on hard turns (front) and the frame-mounted brake fittings (rear), so measure what clearances you've got now and be careful.

Maybe you could contact the owners of these cars for pointers:

http://www.coolwheels.com/product_display.cfm?product_id=635

http://www.cars-on-line.com/66corv15013.html

http://www.chazcone.com/63-67corvette/stories/larkin.htm

 

[youwish2bme]

Fred, I don't know if you were repling to me or Wayne?? However you can get the chromed TTII's directly from AR. Well sort of.. They will send them to a plater and then they will be shipped to you. I thought of this route and they quoted me 50 a wheel and that was to my door. Just a word to the wise... chrome is easier in the short run but you will probably be replating them with in 5 yrs. The chrome does not hold up well on wheels for some reason... I went with polished rims myself and am very happy...

Also if you already have the 15x8 with the tires mounted why not mount them to the car and jack the tire up to see if they rub??? By jacking the tire up you simulate the movement of the suspension in full compression..... Dave..