I’m looking for some opinions here. I’m trying to decide which tire to buy for my car. It’s a 69 SS396 that I use as my daily driver. 98% of my driving is suburban type driving and I drive approximately thirty miles a day rarely exceeding 40 mph. I have two thoughts. First is do I buy 15” wheels in order to get a taller tire which would increase gas mileage and drop my rpm’s on the highway. Second is do I stay with the stock 14” wheels and purchase a beater pair of 15” wheels and tire for the long trips. Spending money wisely is the first priority. To purchase 15” wheels would cost in the neighborhood of $600. The way I have it figured it would take me approximately six to seven years to break even. I believe I figured approximately a 15% advantage based on tire height.

Your thoughts are welcome,
Bubba


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ACES member #04788
Maryland Chevelle Club member #075
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Bubba - why not look for a taller 14" tire and have the best of both worlds? Most of the websites and catalogues list the diameters of the different sizes. Check to see what the diameter of your current tire is and see if there is a 14" that would be taller, and still look good under your car.

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70 Chevelle, 355, Perf RPM heads, cam, manifold, Accel HEI blueprint & supercoil, Hooker supercomps, Holley 650 dp, B&M Street Strip 350 w/Hughes 3500 converter.

Bubba,
Just my opinion, but I just plain like the looks of 15" wheels better.
They give you more choice tire wise.
And repo SS wheels are availible, if a stock look is necessary.

Your driving a 396 daily, gas mileage can't mean all that much to you.

Get some nice 15", I bought Torque Thrust Ds from a local speed shop for $600, and I think the car handles, as well as looks better this way.

I'd like better mileage too, but 4.10s make it kinda tough.

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ACES member:#3722
68 SS-396 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/thads68.jpg) Best E.T. 13.533@106.42 m.p.h.
1st Car (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/thads68bu.jpg) 1984-86, original 6cyl, then 74-350, then 327, then 454 :)
68 Corvette (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/tds68vette2.JPG) In the Family for 20 years.