'70 chevelle: Big tire fitment question

70HeavyChevy · Nov 7, 2008

I've got a '70 chevelle that i plan on lowering 1" to 1 1/2", and I plan on installing a set of Centerline Convo Pro's. Right now I have 15x10's with 5 3/8" BS with 275/60 R15 firestone's. They're spaced too far outboard to keep them with the car lowered, just curious if anyone has used a set of 15x10's with 6 to 6.5" BS with a stock width 12 bolt rearend? I wanna run a large tire in the back; probably a 29-12.50-15 sportsman, so getting the tires inboard with the car lowered is crucial. Thanks for the help!

BillsCamino · Nov 7, 2008

A 10" wide 15" wheel with 6-6.5" BS will not work with that size tire on a stock '70. :noway: The tire WILL rub and get cut by the inner half of the wheel well.
Believe me...I've tried...killed a BN ET Street tire that way.

70HeavyChevy · Nov 7, 2008

What would you suggest as a max offset on a 15x10, and what tire would you suggest? What tire/wheel combo Are you running?

Racing · Nov 7, 2008

Check out the Wheel & Tire Database sticky at the top of the Wheel & Tires section. I have 15x10 with 5.5 BS and 295/50/15 Tires. About 3/4" clearance both inner and outer fender to tire.

macs69 · Nov 7, 2008

I have 15x10 with 5.5" backspacing on mine, with 28x11.5x15 M/T ET Street. Car is not lowered, but has stock wheel lips.

70HeavyChevy · Nov 8, 2008

Does anybody know if Centerline will build rims with custom offset, because it looks like they only offer 5", and 6.5" BS options for the 15x10 Convo's. This sucks. I dont wanna be forced to run draglites or pro stars.

BillyGman · Nov 11, 2008

I went through this same thing with centerline, and they told me that they "cannot" offer me a 5.5" backspacing on their wheels. So I bought the Weld prostars since they do have 5.5" B/S like you've indicated. And I concur with the rest of the posts here that on a 70 Chevelle, 5.5" backspacing is the most that can be used with a 10" wide wheel provided you have the stock width rear end in the car. Any more than that on the B/Sing, and you'll have the inner sidewalls of the tires up against the outside of the frame rails. My P315/60/15 M/T ET Street drag radials mounted on the 10" wide Weld ProStar wheels are at the very most 1" away from the outter sides of the frame rails. And I have a stock ride height, so if your car is lowered, you might not even be able to go with as much B/Sing as I have since your tire treads might make contact with the top inside corners of the stock wheel wells like Bill mentioned.

70HeavyChevy · Nov 8, 2008

Another question; do you think if I ran a 15x8 rim with 4.5" BS that it would pull the sidewalls in enough to get that little extra clearance with 29x12.5x15 sportsmans?

Chris Stanwyck · Nov 8, 2008

15 x 8 with 4.5 backspacing will balloon the sidewall and not leave a flat footprint. As well you will rub the fender lip for sure.
It might work with a 5" backspace with still a shave off the lip.
Not worth the effort IMHO.

J1970SS · Nov 8, 2008

i got a 15x10 28x13.5x15 mt et street on it.... stock wheel wells roller outer lip

animal69 · Nov 8, 2008

Summit sells 7 different Centerline 10" wheels with a 5.5" backspace for Chevy bolt pattern. I think you will still have to massage the wheelwell with that big of a tire.
http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...07+4294923106+400056+4294923105+4294793325+4294795084+4294755960+115+4294795010
There are 19 listed wheels the same size.
http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...294923107+4294923106+4294923105+4294793325+4294795084+4294755960+4294795010+115

70HeavyChevy · Nov 8, 2008

This may be a dumb question, but what about wheel spacers on the 6.5 BS wheels? Does anyone recommend NOT using spacers, and for what reason? Im desperate to get those Convo Pro's on there. BTW animal69, I know there are rims listed with 5.5" BS, but none are Center Line Convo Pro's. Thanks guys for all you're suggestions and help!

animal69 · Nov 9, 2008

Spacers are asking for trouble! You are trying to fit 10 lbs of crap in a 5 lb. bag. The section width on that tire is 13", go measure your wheelwell (both sides).

Racing · Nov 9, 2008

Spacers work fine if you purchase a quality product. I believe I had a little more than 13" between the inner and outer fender. My 295s have ~ 3/4" on the inside and ~ an 1" on the outside.

70HeavyChevy · Nov 9, 2008

My wheel wells measure about 14" (the inner lip on my quarters has been rolled). I dunno, it looks like 10 lbs of **** in a 5 lb bag is exactly what I'm trying to pull off; the measurements arent addin' up. Maybe a tire with a 12" section width might be best. BTW, no one lists a 295 50 R15 tire from BFG. Where do you guys find your tires at?

animal69 · Nov 9, 2008

BFG quit making certain sizes so you'll have to get another brand if you want that size.

69SS3964Spd · Nov 11, 2008

I had the 15x8.5 Convos with 5" bs and 29-12.5's and they fit pretty tight on the outside but had decent room on the inside. If your wheelwell is rolled you should have more clearance than I did, mine was just trimmed a little on the outer lip.

70HeavyChevy · Nov 11, 2008

What brand tire were you running though? A sportsman?

69SS3964Spd · Nov 12, 2008

Yes, I still have them!

'70 chevelle: Big tire fitment question

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