I have a 71SS & I want to put wider tires on the rear and keep the original wheels on it,or at least appear to be original equipment. Is this possible ? Can I move the shocks & springs to increase back spacing ? Has anyone had these wheels stretched and how did they look afterwards? Or should I go to a rallye type wheel or another model year Chevelle wheel ? These small tires just won't handle my 500+ horse power BB 454.
From a Chevelle owner & dare I say it I also own one of those 4 letter word classic's also. thanks for the HELP.
Jim


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Jim, I don't know what originals were for a 71 but companies like Coker Tire and Wheel Vintiques sell all sorts of original wheel with custom backspacing. Another good option, which I'm running on my '67, are the "five spoke" SS wheels from your vintage CHevelle. 14X7 X 4 3/4 backspacing which allows me to run 275/60/15 with ease.

Many options avail which do not require you to alter your vehicle. BTW, I will have a fairly stout 427 4 sp in the car, so I opted for the BFG Drag Radials. Wheels up!

Jim, you may want to consider Wheel Vintiques as Gene mentioned. The largest wheel you can fit on the rear (without rubbing problems) is a 15X10 with 5.5" backspacing. A 275-60R-15 tire will fit fine with that wheel. Wheel Vintiques offers the ralleye style wheels as painted or chromed.

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70' Malibu - 383 'Dental Gas' Inhaling Stroker! Gold Member #39
Chevellz Alwayz!

You can fit alot of meat inside those wheelwells.On my 71 i have 17/11 with 6" backspace with 315/35 17's on the rear with plenty of clearance

Scotty, that sounds like a wicked combo. I would really like to see a picture of that.
Clint Hooper
68 El Camino SS-427clone
w/17x8 & 20x10 Torq-Thrust II's

Scotty what kind of wheels do you have those tires on? Are they stock appearing ?
As mentioned I want to keep the car original appearing or as close as I can get. I know I could get after market wheels to get bigger tires in there.


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Scotty probably has nice billet rims with viper sized tires.

Stick with the wheel vintiques ralley wheels, you can get up to 17" size but they are on the heavy side. You can also roll in the wheel well lip to get more tire or clearance.

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you cant fit that wide of a tire with 15" wheels because the section width, the section width on my 315 drag radials is 12.4 wich is as wide as you can go without rubbing ,you also need polyourathane(oops)bushings to hold the rear tighter.It took me along time to decide on wheels but i have alot of power so i decided to use a combo that would use the widest tire possible ,steel wheels are to heavy and do not dissipatate heat very well

What wheel and backspace are you running,Scotty? I'm running 20x10 Torq-Thrust II's w/5.5" backspace and Michelin Pilot 275-35x20 tires on the rear of my 68 El Camino SS-427clone with lots of clearance. In fact, I probably could have used more backspace(6") and a larger tire(295-40x20).
Clint Hooper

Jim, how large a wheel & tire combo did you have in mind? Were you interested in doing something like Scotty and I? Or,were you wanting something a little less radical?
Clint Hooper

17/11 with 6" with 315-35-17 drag radials and have 3/4" on each side for clearence

I want something that is "Original" or original in appearance. Appearance is everything to me, nothing radical or after market looking. Another words I shouldn't say it is everything but darn near it. Thanks again Chevelle Guys.

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Jim, just to reiterate 15X8X5" will look stock and give you enough room for 275/60/15. A bigger tire that woulkd've fit my '67 would've been the 295/50/16, but I decided to stick with my OEM wheels. They're a good choice, BTW. They would've been original on the 71 and give ample backspace for the L60 (275/60). If you check under "wheels and tires" someone posted a picture of them with the bowtie center cap ( which I know have on ). Nice wheels. people have asked if they're TorqueThrusts or old Keystones so I guess they look like mags. They were used on your vintage Chevelles and Z/28, plus reissued in the late 70's or early 80's for Z/28s so they should be relatively plentiful.

Gene Chas
TC Gold 062
'67 SS 396

[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 06-28-99).]

Jim. We moved the rear shock mounts in almost 3" on our '69 Elke. This will allow for up to a 13" tire/wheel combo without rolling the fender lip. We also double shocked the rear with a front shock thru the rear coils. We did a frame off (glassbead blasted-powdercoated) and had to disassemble the rear end, so it made sense to move the shock mounts at that time. Be sure to add polygraphite bushings front/rear and body mounts (we used PST). Hope this helps. If you need more info on this setup or on brake/fuel lines etc., either reply or email us at LVMAXX@aol.com

Thanks,

Richard and Judy White


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Jim. We moved the rear shock mounts in almost 3" on our '69 Elke. This will allow for up to a 13" tire/wheel combo without rolling the fender lip. We also double shocked the rear with a front shock thru the rear coils. We did a frame off (glassbead blasted-powdercoated) and had to disassemble the rear end, so it made sense to move the shock mounts at that time. Be sure to add polygraphite bushings front/rear and body mounts (we used PST). Hope this helps. If you need more info on this setup or on brake/fuel lines etc., either reply or email us at LVMAXX@aol.com

Thanks,

Richard and Judy White


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Wanted to know if 15x10 with 5.5 back spacing will fit on a 72 Chevelle?