[jimmy daniel]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[1971WARBIRD]

here is a picture of 15x8 snowflakes with a 275x60 on a 78.

[David Holmberg]

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]

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

[1977TRANSAM]

Originally Posted by jimmy daniel

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]

Originally Posted by 1977TRANSAM

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by starlightblack

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 if really concerned about cornering those would NOT be my tire of choice ever again - rock hard, poor performing; although they "look right"

[jimmy daniel]

Originally Posted by 1977TRANSAM

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]

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]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

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!!