PY Online Forums - Bringing the Pontiac Hobby Together

PY Online Forums - Bringing the Pontiac Hobby Together (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/index.php)
-   77-81 Firebird & Trans Am TECH (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=441)
-   -   Best combo to fill the wheel well (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=761541)

jimmy daniel 09-20-2014 12:54 PM

Best combo to fill the wheel well
 
Bandit is being painted then I'm ready to buy a new set of wheels and tires. I'm open to any of the gold snowflakes but I'm looking to fill the fender well and not have that big gap but with out lowering the car. I'm trying to decide between 15x8 and 17x9s. I see a lot of people use the 15x8 with 255/60/15. Looking for suggestions.

johnta1 09-20-2014 01:14 PM

Are you looking for the same size tires all the way around?

I always used/liked 275/60/15 on the rear and 255/60/15 on the front.
(73 TA though)

:)

bs78ta 09-20-2014 01:25 PM

If you want any type of performance tire you will have to step up to the 17's. They do not make any real performance tires in a 15. 245/55/17 is close to the size of 255/60/15 - 27.8 in height vs 27.1 . 10 different tires to chose from in the 17 - 1 in the 15 at tirerack

jimmy daniel 09-21-2014 10:36 AM

I'm not really looking for performance. I just want a good looking wheel and tire that fills up the wheel well the best

Torquewar 09-21-2014 10:59 PM

i had 255 60s front back for several years (snow flakes) but went to the 275s on he rear and like it.
The car just has attitude with the bigger tires and it does fill the wheel wells nicely.

1977TRANSAM 09-22-2014 10:36 AM

5 Attachment(s)
My 78 has <http://pro-touringf-body.com/> comp kit and tubular upper a-arms.

factory vs 17" snow fakes 255/40 front 255/50 rear.

I think the 17's made a huge difference in how my car looks.

Nitebird 09-22-2014 02:57 PM

You don't have much of a tire selection with 15 inch wheels. It seems one of the only brands you can get are BFgoodrich which I have heard are really not very good tires but if you want that vintage look they are probably the ones to go with.

I am planning on getting the 17's after a lot of thought.

jimmy daniel 09-22-2014 07:31 PM

I actually have BF Goodrich 235s on my 15x7s now. I do like the look of the tire. I may go 275 on the rear and 255 on the front.

jimmy daniel 09-22-2014 07:55 PM

Curious....what size 17" tire would match the height of the 275/60/15 and 255/60/15?

1971WARBIRD 09-22-2014 10:53 PM

1 Attachment(s)
here is a picture of 15x8 snowflakes with a 275x60 on a 78.
http://SAM_0073

David Holmberg 09-22-2014 11:52 PM

Agree with most of the above.

In 1979 I went with 255's front and 275's rear, always loved the look on 15x8 wheels (WS6).

autobahn 09-23-2014 12:22 AM

do the 17s, you can feel the side wall flex with 15s doing the round a bouts

1977TRANSAM 09-23-2014 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy daniel (Post 5275443)
Curious....what size 17" tire would match the height of the 275/60/15 and 255/60/15?

275/60r15 = 27.52 tall 10.43 wide
255/60r15 - 27.05 tall 10.04 wide


275/50r17 =27.83 tall 10.43 wide
255/50r17 = 27.04 tall 10.04 wide

1977TRANSAM 09-23-2014 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1977TRANSAM (Post 5275205)
My 78 has <http://pro-touringf-body.com/> comp kit and tubular upper a-arms.

factory vs 17" snow fakes 255/40 front 255/50 rear.

I think the 17's made a huge difference in how my car looks.

Correction i have 255/50r17 front and 255/55r17 rear.

starlightblack 09-23-2014 10:40 AM

I'm not knocking anybody's choices, just personally I think big and little look silly on a Trans Am - it's a road GT, not a straight-line musclecar only.... so the dragster look doesn't work. Just my opinion - and if you do any cornering, those alternate size tires will put unnecessary stress on your suspension components. 255-60 15s are super...and coker tire has the Eagle GT (the one on the 1978 Indy Pace car Vette) available; they look great on Trans Ams.

Alvin 09-23-2014 12:27 PM

Grab your fave snacks, beverages and a comfortable place to view this OP Q PY thread:

"Official Tire and Wheel Combo Thread, Post your combo here!"
link: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...e+wheel+thread

Alvin 09-23-2014 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starlightblack (Post 5275741)
I'm not knocking anybody's choices, just personally I think big and little look silly on a Trans Am - it's a road GT, not a straight-line musclecar only.... so the dragster look doesn't work. Just my opinion - and if you do any cornering, those alternate size tires will put unnecessary stress on your suspension components. 255-60 15s are super...and coker tire has the Eagle GT (the one on the 1978 Indy Pace car Vette) available; they look great on Trans Ams.

I had those Eagles on my 1st '78 WS6 TA in the early '80s in 255/60/15 :gag: if really concerned about cornering those would NOT be my tire of choice ever again - rock hard, poor performing; although they "look right" :2cents:

jimmy daniel 09-23-2014 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1977TRANSAM (Post 5275685)
Correction i have 255/50r17 front and 255/55r17 rear.

. I'm either going with 1977transam 17x9s and tires sizes or the 15x8 with 275/60 on the rear and 255/60s on the front. It's expensive enough that I need to make the right choice the first time! There won't be any second guessing....I hope.

77 TRASHCAN 09-23-2014 08:12 PM

Everyone has an opinion...
Classic cars just don't look right to me w/ oversize tires and wheels.
The selection of 15 inch stuff is skinny, but still available...
275r60-15 looks good, even on a 7" wheel, and fits easily
295R50-15's will fit in rear fenderwell, but rim has to be EXACTLY positioned to make it fit.

So Jimmy, what's the hopeful time line on the paint job for your car? Did I really ask that question?...LOL

jimmy daniel 09-24-2014 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN (Post 5275996)
Everyone has an opinion...
Classic cars just don't look right to me w/ oversize tires and wheels.
The selection of 15 inch stuff is skinny, but still available...
275r60-15 looks good, even on a 7" wheel, and fits easily
295R50-15's will fit in rear fenderwell, but rim has to be EXACTLY positioned to make it fit.

So Jimmy, what's the hopeful time line on the paint job for your car? Did I really ask that question?...LOL

Don't jinx me....you know how paint jobs go :)
I'm hoping it will be DONE in three weeks and ready for the new wheels and tires. Motors fresh and I'm ready to drive it!!

jimmy daniel 09-24-2014 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1977TRANSAM (Post 5275685)
Correction i have 255/50r17 front and 255/55r17 rear.

Did you lower your TA?

starlightblack 09-25-2014 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvin (Post 5275797)
I had those Eagles on my 1st '78 WS6 TA in the early '80s in 255/60/15 :gag: if really concerned about cornering those would NOT be my tire of choice ever again - rock hard, poor performing; although they "look right" :2cents:

Just like the "new" polyglas GTs, the new Eagle is a different compound - I love them on mine , real smooth.

1977TRANSAM 09-25-2014 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy daniel (Post 5276353)
Did you lower your TA?

Yes it is about a 2" drop.
I used pro-touringf-body.com - comp kit

The car handles like it is on rails LOVE, LOVE the look and the feel of the car.
It gets lots of attention at shows.

Norwood 09-25-2014 10:20 AM

245/60 front. 255/60. Rear

Alvin 09-25-2014 02:22 PM

245/60/15 all around here http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...&postcount=114

jimmy daniel 09-25-2014 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norwood (Post 5276829)
245/60 front. 255/60. Rear

Norwood, is your TA lowered? It looks great.

jimmy daniel 09-25-2014 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvin (Post 5276972)

Looks really good.

Norwood 09-25-2014 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy daniel (Post 5277027)
Norwood, is your TA lowered? It looks great.

Original Stock 70 T/A. Springs in front , ProTouring GT springs out back

Alvin 09-25-2014 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy daniel (Post 5277028)
Looks really good.

Thxs
255/60/15's all around here
http://www.tachrev.com/GrandAm/TachR...DockAvatar.jpg


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:24 PM.