Retro wheels for modern brakes?

[Murf]

Hi all, I hope you don't get tired of answering my dumb questions! I am looking for some Classic style 5-spokes to fit a 65 GTO with LS1 brakes all around. I haven't done the swap yet and am about to go a different route if I can't find suitable rims.
The problem seems to be caliper clearance with these style wheels. I have read many posts of 17" TTII not clearing. Ideally, I would like to run 16" rims. I realize they are a bad choice for tire selection but the proportions look much better to me on an old square car.
In general, will a 16" rim clear the LS1 front brakes? Who's 5-spoke traditional looking rims will clear the face of the caliper?
I have read That I would need approx 5-5.5 B.S. on an 8" rim to get under the fenders. Is this correct? Finally, would I be better off to just use the stock single piston 11" brakes and not fit the wheel fitment? This will be a street car and I wanted the better braking of the LS1 brakes but the wheel fitment issue has me worried.
I am sorry for the ramble and thanks in advance!

Murf

[skatinjay27]

vintage wheel works would be perfect for you! much more classic period correct looking that tt2s and you wont have that spoke clearance issue. and they do make them in 16" as far as fitting... the rears will be fine the front might take a little grinding on the front calipers but probally not.
heres some pics and who you can get a good deal on them from, the specials over but they will still do you right.
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47563

[Murf]

Well I checked with VWW and I have to say they were very prompt and helpful. I learned that the curved spoke model has no more caliper front clearance than the straight spoke wheel. I found that rather odd. Also the 16" wheels don't come with enough backspacing and custom B.S. isn't available on the 16" wheels. The 17" wheels have more caliper clearance and look as though they would fit without spacers. I guess I may have to go with 17's. Anybody have a suggestion on any other wheels to try?

Thanks, Murf

[buickfunnycar.com]

Well I checked with VWW and I have to say they were very prompt and helpful. I learned that the curved spoke model has no more caliper front clearance than the straight spoke wheel. I found that rather odd. Also the 16" wheels don't come with enough backspacing and custom B.S. isn't available on the 16" wheels. The 17" wheels have more caliper clearance and look as though they would fit without spacers. I guess I may have to go with 17's. Anybody have a suggestion on any other wheels to try?

Thanks, Murf

Curved-spoke V-45's used to have more caliper clearance than the straight-spoke V-40's until a recent design change in the V-40's made them both equal.
VWW has been working on releasing an 18" line which should be out soon.

[Rick Dorion]

I ran 16x8", 4.5" BS VWW V45's with C4/13" rotors using a 1/4" spacer for years.

[gearheads78]

Do 17's or stick with 15's Tire selection is only going to get worse in the future for 16" and as you know wheel selection is little to none.
I will probably use 17" on my 64 lemans

[skatinjay27]

i would just use 17"s and on a big car like a gto they will still look small and classic.

[Murf]

Thanks for the input guys.

Rick, Was that on an A-body or an F-body that you ran 4.5 B.S.? You wouldn't have any pics would ya? If that B.S. would work it would give me more options on wheel selection. I have read several times that a 5 or even 5.5 B.S. is needed. Is this wrong?

gearheads78, I know 17's would be more practical but I personally think 16's would look "right" to me. As far as tire availability goes 16's would still be much better than 15's.

skatinjay27, I'm sure your right but I'm an old fart and the bigger wheels still don't look right to me. Maybe a tire with more sidewall would make it look better to me.

Anyway, thanks again for all the help!

Murf

[Rick Dorion]

Hi, Murf. It was a 69 camaro. I had 245/50-16 on the front and 255/50-16 on the rear. And there are some good tire selections in 16"s just not as good as 17's. I had Firestones and was happy.

[Boesch]

If you want to know what size tires are going to be available in the future...go walk around several new car lots. Tire manufactures make sizes that fit new cars. Pick one of those sizes for your tires and you'll be sure to find plenty of suitable tires.

PS - GM put a 17" rim on the C5 corrvette where your brakes came from. If they came off a C6 corvette, then they had an 18" rim. I wouldn't suggest any smaller than that if you want the brakes to cool properly.

[Throttle]

Im running Boyd Coddingtons with a 1/4 spacer and I have no problems.. What Im trying to say is that you need to use a small spacer to get the clearance for classic wheels..

[gearheads78]

If you want to know what size tires are going to be available in the future...go walk around several new car lots. Tire manufactures make sizes that fit new cars. Pick one of those sizes for your tires and you'll be sure to find plenty of suitable tires.

PS - GM put a 17" rim on the C5 corrvette where your brakes came from. If they came off a C6 corvette, then they had an 18" rim. I wouldn't suggest any smaller than that if you want the brakes to cool properly.

I am in the modern car business. 2 -3 times a year I have a car come in with 16" tires that I need to replaced I have to call 4-5 different suppliers and still usually have to special order.

Its your car do what you want but 15" will always be around for classics replacement. 16" is hardly noticable from 15"
If you don't like the look of a 17" I highly suggest sticking with a 15"

-Richard

[BRIAN]

Try PS Engineering for wheels they have some very accurate old 5 spokes. No web site and Phil is a bit hard to get a hold of. ET wheels also makes some nice 15" stuff.

Try Hot Rods Usa for brake kits that fit 15" wheels. They make their own kits out of Wilwood products. They have 2 piece rotors that are 1.25" thick in 11.25"?? with Wilwood 4 pistons which should be more than enough for a street car. Other choice would be to copy the JL8 Camar0 4 wheel disc set up but again you might run into wheel problems with the big Vette Calipers.

In 16's they make the Vette 245 45 16 in a lot of tires. That used to be the old swap before the Pro Tour deal caught on.

[pitts64]

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