I'm sure this question has been asked before but I couldn't find it in the search so here goes. I have a 70 Chevelle Malibu 350/th350 normal ride height and I know nothing about rim or tire sizing. I need to know what size tire and rim combo to get if I want the widest tire available out back and the smallest/lightest available in the front. I would also like to stay as close to the original diameter on the back so my speedo is still accurate. I was looking at BFG Radial T/A's all around and Weld Pro Star Rims. Mostly because I have less than $1000 to spend on 4 tires and 4 rims. But any help would be greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance for your help

vipertx,

If you do a search on this topic either by my name or subject you will see all kinds of similar questions and answers for 70-72 Chevelles. Below is a portion of one of my responses

I run 15X8 Wheel Vintique rims w/4.5" backspacing on the back of my 70 with P275 60R's and 14X7 (I believe the stock SS Wheels are 7" wide) on the front with P215 or P225R70. Don't recall exactly off the top of my head. By running 15's on the back an 14's on the front (with very close OD tire to original) I get a nice subtle froward lean...which is what I wanted. (note: pics in my signature were before the wheeel and tire change)

If you are interested, I can send you pic(s) of my car with this combo. I believe this did affect my speedo but I just calibrate through he tachometer

Good Luck

Mytmouse


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67 SS396 350HP 4 sp 3:55 Posi Butternut Yellow w/Black Vinyl (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Mytmouse/mytmouse.html)
68 RS Z/28 302 350+Hp? 4sp 4:10 Posi, Euro Red on Black (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Myts_Mouse/myts_mouse.html)
70 SS396 350HP 4 sp 3:55 Posi, Black on Black (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Myt_70/myt_70.html)

Mytmouse A.K.A. Robert Stacho
ACES Member # 04359

Mytmouse that would be great if you could let me see some of your pics so I can see if that is the look I am going for, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

ViperTX
1970 Chevelle Malibu
350/th350

We may have a problem with the pics. I only have digital pics of the car since I changed wheels and tires and when I indicated I would send them to you I assumed I would be e-mailing them. I just noticed you don't have an e-mail address. Do you know somebody that has an e-mail address that you can use?If so, post the address and I will send the pics to them and you can retrieve them there.


Mytmouse

Mytmouse

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67 SS396 350HP 4 sp 3:55 Posi Butternut Yellow w/Black Vinyl (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Mytmouse/mytmouse.html)
68 RS Z/28 302 350+Hp? 4sp 4:10 Posi, Euro Red on Black (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Myts_Mouse/myts_mouse.html)
70 SS396 350HP 4 sp 3:55 Posi, Black on Black (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Myt_70/myt_70.html)

Mytmouse A.K.A. Robert Stacho
ACES Member # 04359

I have 15x8 with 4.5" backspace and 255/60/15 on front and 15x10 with 5.5" backspace and 295/50/15 on the back. Untill I install different springs I just put on screw up type spacers in rear springs (cheating). It rides a little stiffer but does not rub and according to my pickup the speedo stayed the same. I bought new rims off ebay for $500.00 and got a good deal locally (s.w. Mn.) on tires for $350.00 Here are before and after pic's.
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Chevelle_At_Blue_Mounds.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Chevelle_with_cragars3.jpg

Okay I think I am going to go with the P295 50R15 with 5.5" backspacing on 15x8, on the back and P215 70R14 with 14x6 with 3.5" backspacing on the front. This will work right ? But on the rims do I need 4.5" or 4.75" Bolt Circle ? Or does it matter ? Thanks for all the help !!

ViperTX
1970 Chevelle Malibu
350/th350

It is your car and it sounds like it will fit but be sure you want a 50 series tire. The OD of the P275 60R is 28" and the P295 50R is 26.7. This is a much lower profile tire for only a gain of about .5" in width. Do you really need that .5"??. If you are looking to gain that forward lean I told you about the OD of the 14's you are putting on the front is 25.9" so the rears will be less than an inch taller where with the P275 60R you gain slightly more than 2". The draw back of the the bigger OD tire is that you will probably change the effective gearing (i.e. 3:55 would change to 3:31 or 3:08...better for cruizin but not hole shots)

Again, it is your car, so do as you please. Just offering an opinion. The standard GM bolt pattern I believe is 4.75" and this is what you will need.

Mytmouse

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67 SS396 350HP 4 sp 3:55 Posi Butternut Yellow w/Black Vinyl (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Mytmouse/mytmouse.html)
68 RS Z/28 302 350+Hp? 4sp 4:10 Posi, Euro Red on Black (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Myts_Mouse/myts_mouse.html)
70 SS396 350HP 4 sp 3:55 Posi, Black on Black (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Myt_70/myt_70.html)

Mytmouse A.K.A. Robert Stacho
ACES Member # 04359

Viper, check out my wheels/tires they are 17's if you like the look let me know, im about to sell them. check my site below for pics. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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1970 SS396 AKA 454/4spd
My Chev-Hell Page (http://hometown.aol.com/jnkb2cool/home.html)
GOLD Member #783
Metroplex Muscle
Ft.Worth, Tx
(OO=ss=OO)

On a 15x8 rim in the back I think you should go with 4.5" backspacing, on a 15x10 you would want to go with 5.5" backspacing.

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Chris Dagenais
'71 Malibu with a home built 454! 12.7@107
For everything you do, this burnout's (http://www.71malibu.com/Burnout.wmv) for you.
The Green Monster (http://www.71malibu.com)

I had about the same budget and I got used chrome corvette wheels from a '98. the wheels & tires were $700 and the 2" adapters were another $200

$900 for 17x8.5 fronts and 18x9.5 rears with tires.

check my website - 15x10 5.5" backspacing 295/50-15 on back and 15x7 3.75" backspacing 215/65-15 on front http://www.chevelles.com/forum/cool.gif

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WEBSITE UPDATED 02/19/02 - More chick pics, interior pics, and corvette pics
Adam Layman
1971 Chevelle Malibu
My website (http://www.nd.edu/~alayman/webpage/main.htm)

Check this out: http://www.centerlinewheels.com/w_catalog/07.jpg
They're Centerline Warriors. I just got a set from Summit, 15x8.5" with 5" backspacing for the rear and 15x5.5" with 3.5" backspace for the front. Cost was about $650. They're pretty light, but probably not as light as the Pro-Stars.

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Bob Von Kaenel
70 SS 402ci TH400

[This message has been edited by Barista (edited 02-20-2002).]