I am almost to the point of finishing up my suspension and will be ready for wheels and tires soon. I am torn between 15x8s all around (cheaper) and 15x10s in the rear and 8s up front. I know the 4.5 for 8 and 5.5 for 10 backspacing issue but I really want to run some wider tires in the rear. I want something like 285-295s in the rear. Will 8" rims handle that without looking too "bulgy"? I know some of the tire manufacturers suggest wider than 8" rims for 285-295 tires but in my experienc the tire manufactures are always a little conservative in that regard. Even on my Lexus they say the tires I have run for over 70K miles are too wide for the rims and they run and handle fantastic. I know I have asked you guys for 10" rear wheel pictures in the past (and I really appreciate it) but how about some 8" rear wheel photos with large...285-295.... tires on them? The 8" Boyd Coddington "smoothie" rims on ebay are really a lot cheaper than the custom 10". Thanks again, Skip

I'd spend the little extra and go with the 10's..........here's my car with a 15x10 and 28x13.50 ET Street..........


http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Rumblin70SS/tzchevelle1.jpg

If your going to buy new wheels anyway why wouldn't you buy 10's ???????????

Also remember a 295 will be very short.....I agree with the 28x13.50 or something along those lines.....Do it once and save money in the long run.....

I ran a 325/50 with a 15x10 5.5 bs and it looked great......

I guess it depends on what look you want too......

Here's a perfect link for you to look at http://www.chevelles.com/forum/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=002531

what they said..... you'll be glad you went with 10's.... IMHO

WHY would everyone want to spend more money on the 10-inch rims?

I'd go with the 8-inch rims.

I run the BFG 295/50-15, I have run this combo on several cars for over 10 years, and never had a problem, and never had a negative comment on looks, awkward tire bulge, no unusual wear patterns, etc...

Tire tread width doesn't change between a 8 and 10 inch rim, just the sidewalls, so the 8-inch might even save some room for extra clearance (295s will be pretty tight anyway).

I agree that the tire companies are usually conservative with rim requirements, but even so BFGoodrich 295/50-15s specify a rim range from 8-inches and up, so that 8-inch rim is within their range...

IMO, trying to fit the 295 on a 10-inch rim is less desirable, as the tire bead has to flex outward more to contact and seal with the bead, thereby requiring more air pressure to seal the tire... If the tire pressure drops (leak, etc), its more likely to have a rapid deflation when using the wider rims.


I'll try to see if I can get some pictures of mine tonight...

I don't think the 295/50 looks too bad on an 8 inch rim:
Rear shot 8 inch rim (http://chevelles.com/showroom/ACE841/park2.jpg)
Side shot (http://chevelles.com/showroom/ACE841/Latest1.jpg)

The above with 15x8s and 4.5 BS
265/50s front and 295/50s rear.

I would go with the 10's I just put my 295's on some 8" rims I did not care for the look of them, I just put my order in today for my 10" they only cost $75.00 each plus shipping. The 8" cost me around $68.00 each well worth the extra few bucks.

The difference is from about $750-800 for 8's to ~$1K for 10s in the rear and 8s in the front. I don't want to skimp but if I don't have to get a custom wheel backspace and get the same look I would like to do that. Scott sent me some photos of his 10s a while back and they look sweet. I just wanted to see what the difference really looks like with the same tires and the different rims. I sure don't know what kind of rims are $68 and $75 but I imagine they are steel and heavy as all get out. Keep the input coming along with any photos. Thanks

Here are a few pictures of my 295-50/15 BFGoodriches mounted on 15X8 Ralleys (repros)

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1966_L78/Rear2.jpg

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1966_L78/rear3.jpg

Those look good on 15x8 wheels Tony. Do you have any pics from far away so I can see what the height looks like? Any trouble with rubbing on the outter lip or lower control arm?

I agree....Tony, those look great on 8". Not too much bulge. Do you have any other photos of the overall car? What is your suspension set up? Thanks, Skip

I have some pictures in my sig of my 8" all around graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Those look good on 15x8 wheels Tony. Do you have any pics from far away so I can see what the height looks like?
Any trouble with rubbing on the outter lip or lower control arm?Check my signature for wide angle shot.

I plan to drop the back slightly...

No rubbing on the outer lip (and uncut/unrolled). Definitely no rubbing on the control arm, but close to the lower shock, not too close though. I have about 5-inches of BS, the wheels were custom built by Wheel Vintiques. It used to rub the inside of the wheel well on turns, so I added a spacer (plan on new 17-inch rims someday!)...

My rear suspension currently has the GW lower rear arms, stock uppers with rubber bushings, stock replacement springs, and Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks... I added a stock rear sway bar (even though GW said its not needed).

I used to have the car extremely lowered, and still didn't have problems with the tires rubbing...