Guys,

17X8 vs 15x8

Is it because you want more wheel to show vs the meat?
Or, does the roll of rubber on a 17" less on cornering and keeps you in the turn better?
Or maybe some other reasons??

I have a 65 Chevelle dropped about 1" or so
and need to make a decision on wheel size and tires.
Probally go with the Weld Draglites with Nitto or BFGs.

I like the more meat vs more wheel look, but if it does make a performance difference then.......?

Thanks for your opinions.
jack

Yeah, it makes a huge performance difference

The 17-inch will make a difference if the sidewall is shorter and stiffer than the 15 incher (usually the case for car tires). Its also likely that the 15s were not built as rigid. The 17s are not only usually shorter but also stiffer in the sidewall area, and other performance aspects are also often upgraded (speed rating, etc).

The performance aspects are really minor unless you have upgraded the rest of the suspension to take advantage of the better tires...

I think most Chevelle owners with 17s probably use them for mainly looks, with a little more solid feel... I don't know too many Chevelle owners that are going to throw there car into a curve where the 17's would be necessary...

Unless you are really going to race it (autocross, etc) then put what you want (more meat vs more wheel). A car with good suspension, brakes and 15's can easily outhandle a car with crappy suspension and 17s...

Its fine for the looks, but if you want handling, think about also upgrading the suspension and brakes. Big 17 inch wheels look cool, but not with tiny stock discs (or drums...).

And while they will look cool, if you want 17s for better handling, then you might not want the Weld Draglights. These rims might not be as rigid in cornering (from an aquaintances experience).



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"Once you go RAT, you never go back..."
TC #1366
Tony
1966 SS L78 coupe
1966 SS convertible
1965 Impala convertible
1 wife that has drawn the line...

If you have the $$$ one day for some Baer 13.3'' Discs with Baer-Claw calipers, you'll need 17s. Alot of guys use them to clear big disc brakes.

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'70 Malibu
355 L-31 Vortec
Muncie M20 W/R (in conversion)
'62 Vette Posi 3.70 rear (in conversion)

Thanks guys for the responses.

70Bowtie
Baer 13.3'' Discs with Baer-Claw calipers, you'll need 17s. I guess I'll have to wait for a while to be able to afford that setup.

1966_L78
I don't think I'll be racing it (autocross, etc. But, I do like to lean into the curves on these Cal.Freeways. Plus, I also have those tiny stock discs. Your Right! Wont look good.
And those Weld Draglights These rims might not be as rigid in cornering (from an aquaintances experience). Interesting!
Were those 15s or 17s. I liked the looks of those.

I think I'll stick with the 15s for now.
Now for the search on which wheel ??

Thanks
jack

Jack,
I'm building a 66 Chevelle and was thinking about going the 17-inch wheel route because I was seeing a lot them in the magazines and at shows.
However, an article in Hot Rod changed my mind. They asked a bunch of guys with big wheel packages (17's and up) about the pro's and con's. Most said the wheels made the looks of the car, but most of them had also bent wheels on occasion.
You have to consider that these are heavy cars, and the short stiff sidewalls don't cushion the rims too much.

66builder,
Good point! I figured they looked kind of skimpy...and 65s are pretty darn heavy compared to the foreign cars that most of these are on.
I think I'll stick with the 15s with the meat. I liked that look better anyways.

Buying the correct wheel/tire combo is something that can cost all kinds of moey and I don't want to blow it.
Thanks for the input.
Jack

I think the guy had 15s or 16s. It was on a Buick GN or GNX... He quickly switched to a different wheel...

I put 17" on my 67 (w/the 13" Baer brakes too) but if you keep the sidewall ratio within reason, you shouldn't be bending rims. I have 50 series (Nitto tires) on all four corners of mine, the 35's just look too much like rubber bands to me. I suppose if I had another $1600, I'd get another set of 17" and short sidewalls for show or cool cruising purposes, but I drive mine almost daily (weather permitting) and I wanted the security of a little taller sidewall.


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TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67 SS & 67 Elky
Dale's Place (http://www.dalesplace.com)
Team 67 (http://www.team67.com)
Midwest Chevelle Regional Governing Council (http://www.midwestchevelles.com)
Integrity: If you have it, it doesn't matter - If you don't have it, it doesn't matter.

Dale,
Right now my money will have to go into putting some interior in this car. Still pretty much in the project state. But wanted some decent wheel/tire combo at least.
Maybe down the road I'll get the 17" Bear combo you have??
They are a different look than what I'm use to seeing over the years on these old cars.

Boy, you got some great looking cars!
If mine comes out half as nice looking I'd be pleased.
Thanks for the input.
Jack

Here's a vote for 16's, saves bux over 17's both in tire and wheel and keeps the sidewall big enough if you want only a ~26" tire.

Front: 245/45/16 (or 245/50/16) on 16x8
Rear: 255/50/16 (or 245/50/16) on 16x8

The reason is not only for looks as much as it is that there a few 15" tires worth owning these days compared to modern designs (tread width is maximized while section width is minimized).

I've had no regrets since ditching the 15's.

jlaf

I like 16" rims too. I run 265/50R16s onthe rear and 225/50 on the front. A lot of 17" rims are really soft and do bend easily, but they do make a car look really good compared to 15" rims. I had bad experiences with Budnik and Billet Specialties. I guess their rims are really soft or something. Centerlines seem to be a bit more durable. You can really feel the difference in sidewall flex going from 15 to 17s

Guys,
I haven't read of too much about 16s, interesting. Something to look into.The best of both worlds??
I was looking at buying Nitto tires but didn't see any for 15s
I need to find a good combo for my
65 Chevelle. Nittos and which wheels come in 16s., with the proper offset. I like Centerlines also..What are they called bottlecap?? I like that look.
What year cars have you guys got the 16s on?

Thanks for the input guys.
Jack

I had 16X8 with 4.5 backspacing on my 68 camaro. Then I put them on my 66 chevelle. I think the backspacing is a little too much for the front. The chevelle wheel wells look a lot larger than the camaros so you might be able to get away eith less backspacing. I haven't run my chevelle yet, just put the rims on to see what it would look like. I'm not sure what the proper backspacing should be.