i saw a picture of a gto with 16" ROH wheels in the june hot rod mag. looked really good, what are the advantages of larger diameter wheels and will they fit, in my case a 69SS. i was planning on replacing my 14's with some cragar street stars but now i'm wondering?? any ideas?

thanks john

you probably can fit the 16" rims on your car . You might have to go with a lower profile tire. One of the benifits that I could think of is the wheel bearings spin less with the bigger wheels. It might not be that much less going from 15" to 16" but, it is less. •••••Think of a skate board wheel-to travel 6 feet the bearing might turn 50 times(guessing) Now think of your 16" wheel-To go that 6 feet it might only turn 1˝ times. Thats one benifit I could think of..any others?

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JoeS
"67 Malibu"

Bigger wheels= Bigger Brakes. Also better brake cooling. Not to mention better handling due to the lower profile sidewall. And you can get something with a stikier compound. You can't get much w/ a z rating with 15s or 14s.

Before you pick your wheels, pick the tires you want to run. And I don't just mean the type, the size will determine what wheels you need and what backspacing.

personally I don't like 16s, not enough selection in big tire sizes. But if a 255-50ZR16 is big enough for you that is fine.

thanks dave and joe, actually i'm thinking of putting 275x60 in hte rear and 225x70 in the front. is there any balance or cornering problems that might come up with this combo???

john

Joe, While the rim size influences the overall tire rolling diameter, a lower profile tire should balance this such that the resulting "rolling" diameter is close to the same. This keeps everything close to the same as far as vehicle height, speedo calibration, body sway etc.
To figure the overall height, take the tire width, say, 255 mm, multiply by the aspect ratio, say, 50, and the result is the tire height (or thickness) which is about 128 mm or about 5". Overall tire diameter is rim dia (lets use 15") plus 2x5" = 25". For a 16" rim and a 255/40, this would be 255 x 40% = 102mm = 4"; two of these and the rim = 16+4+4= 24" overall diameter, a smaller tire!

David, you have it a little reversed. Bigger discs = better braking (brakes have more leverage) while bigger tires = reduced braking, (road has more leverage).

John, the advantage of larger rims is that lower profile tires can be used. Lower profile tires are stiffer, both from a bump standpoint (slightly harsher ride) but especially from a side thrust/handling perspective (better, crisper, handling).
Think of going around a curve and the car (rim) is pushing sideways on the tire. A taller profile tire will allow the tread to deflect more from the centerline of the rim (you can do this sitting still by pushing sideways on the car and watching the rim move relative to the ground). Sideways deflection = mushy handling.

I'll add, you can also get "that trash can lid with rubber band around it look."



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Pat Kelley
66 & 67 El Caminos

Ditto what Pat said, I never liked the look of low profile tires. Also, since I never had 16" rims I would be interested to know about the cost of tires and how wide a selection there is of 16" rubber

Sorry I didn't clarify, what I meant was you can fit bigger discs with the bigger wheels. Looking back I guess what I said didn't make that much sense.

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David Nafarrete
1965 406 6speed
(almost on the road again)

Hey John,

The 16" wheels will work fine on your '69. I run them w/255-50s on my '69 Camaro and love them. I sometimes swap between them and some 15" rallys with 235-15s and the handling and ride difference is amazing! I imagine going from 14" to 16" would be even better.

I agree with David. 16" tire selection sucks when compared to just about any other size. 17's have more sizes and aspect ratio choices than you can imagine. Don't like the lower profiles? 17's are available in 35,40,45,50,55,and 60 series profiles. If you're serious about handling performance ,try a set. You will throw rocks at your 14's or 15's if you do.
Clint Hooper
68 El Camino
17's & 20's

Yeah,what clint said!