Hey Clint...I'm guessing you can help me (or anyone). My goal on my car is to have 16 AND 17 inch rims. I will be going with a GlobalWest front end kit (upper/lower arms with B-body spindle/Conservative front sway bar/4 wheel discs/9 inch-stock width hopefully/no rear sway bar and GW's recommeded rear control arm suggestions). It's a big block with m-22 69SS (have owned it 22 years now). I have always run 15 x 8 vette ralleys with 245 60's...I want to retain that period look and am thinking of 245 50-16s for the 16 inchers...is 4 and a 1/2 inch BS good for these rims?? I hope to not go bigger than 255 45-17 all around for 17's..What is a good BS for the 17 inch rims ?? I am not a racer and just want a good handling combo, which will have the same sizes all around...I will be running 11-12 inch discs all around in order to run both size rims...Can you offer any feedback on this ?? Thanks much for any help-Shawn :D

In re-reading my post, I must clarify that I intend to run 16inchers as a set, and 17s as a set, not combining sizes front/rear...

Hi,Shawn. 4.5" backspacing is the recommended figure for 8" wide rims,either 16" or 17" diameter so you have that base covered. Any particular reason why you have settled on a 255 tire for front & rear?

Thanks for the help. On the 17's, the 255 seems to be conservative..and I have seen similiarly equipped velles with this size and I like it..I'm open to suggestions though ! The 16's with 245 was similiar deductive choice,and I am open on that also. I just don't want to get into any mega mods to fit some decent tires under her. Shawn

If you want to stick with 16s, then 255/50/16s really look nice. They are a little wider and have a touch more sidewall then 245s. If you are going with 17s, then I am pretty sure that you can go with 275/40/17s all the way around.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew ! I'm standing by for Clint's input also...Be Safe All-Shawn :D

I agree with Andrew. He and I both have experience in installing big rolling stock on these cars. As always,proper backspacing is the key to doing it right.
My preference is for 17"s over 16"s because of a much wider tire selection in 17"s.

Thanks for the input gents ! :D

Let us know how it turns out,Shawn.

If you have a real custom wheel/tire store in your area, then pay them a visit. If they are good, and are actually willing to earn your business, then they will mount up various wheel tire combinations. Make sure you let them know that you are ready to buy and be serious about that. Make sure you trial fit every corner as our old cars are not always the same on both sides. This way you can see how various wheel styles look, as well as making sure you can safely fit the biggest tires possible.

Andrew