15" High Perf. tires for a Chevelle

[gregschevelle]

OK, Call me crazy or old school, but I really don't care for the look of the 17's or 18's wheels on older muscle cars. I like the "NASCAR" look where you get a really wide tire, with some sidewall too. However, after reviewing the selection of available high-performance tires for a 15" wheel (minimal to none and I don't consider a radial t/a a performance tire), I am thinking I may have to swallow my pride and go bigger with my wheels...

I am wondering if I am missing something, or are my tires choices getting limited for 15" wheels?

I am looking for something like a BF Goodrich KD, or equivalent. I plan on doing some autocrosses and other random track days once the car is sorted out.

Thanks for the help...

Greg

[jcs]

I feel the same way. I have 15" Goodyear Blue Streak vintage racing tires, 6x15 and 7x15 (roughly about 270/50/15 and 305/50/15). They are not DOT approved, but I have another cheap set of wheels & tires for inspection. They stick like mad, but don't even think of hitting a curb or pothole, and they don't last long. I have tried to find some 15" performance tires, and the selection is basically Radial T/A's or some DOT racing tires, like Hoosiers. I wish someone would make something like the old Gatorbacks, when a 16" wheel was big. If anyone knows of any other 15" options, I too would love to know.

[dennis68]

Are you talking about the old 7 rib ZR's.....those things sucked? Maybe half worn with a gallon of trackbite you might get some stick out them.

The only truely HP tires available in 15" rim sizes are going to be slicks. There is just no market for them to invest in the tooling to build them. A 16 or 17, even 18" tire will always outhandle a 15" with same given load rating. Not to mention that getting a decent sized brake rotor inside a 15" wheel is no easy task.

The circle track guys get away with it as they are not as concerend with scrub radius and they run custom build chassis' with suspension designed to run high offsets.

[gregschevelle]

Well, I guess we have the same issue. I saw that the Road Racing Hoosiers are DOT legal, so a 15 minute drive to an autocross wouldn't kill them would it? What exactly does the DOT rating from Hoosier get you? Can you drive it on the street without getting busted? Don't drive them in the wet though...

The autocross hoosiers are not that big (largest I have seen is 225/50-15), like the road racing flavors up to 275's. Can you use the road racing hoosiers for autocrossing?

Let me know if you find anything as well. I want to keep a certain look to the car, but I may be on an impossible quest...

Greg

[USAZR1]

17" tires are available in high aspect ratios.(tall sidewalls) Time to bite the bullet and quit banging your head against the wall. :)

[73novaguy]

I am going to have to say bite the bullet also. One option you do have is to be a 17" rim that looks more era correct. Like the 17" ralleys and you will have the older school look to them and a variety of performance tires to choose from. At least then you will have the handling better under control for those autocross days. Just my $.02

[Todds69]

Maybe you could step up to a set of 16". That 1" makes a difference when it comes to tire choices and you dont get that effect you dislike with the 17"-18" wheels. I went with 16" on my '69 Camaro, not by choice but by $$$$. The cash I save on the wheels I bought a set of Viper seats. Maybe someday I will step up again, for now cash is tight.

[Fuelie Fan]

dunlop makes an sp-sport 8000 in 245-50-15. I have no experiences with it personally, but tirerack comparsions give the impression that it's a decent but not awe-inspiring tire. Also, it may be a little short for a chevelle. I have this size on the front of my nova in BFG g-force t/a (which are no longer made in this size, unfortunately) with the stock front springs and there's a gap to the fender, but dropped springs may cover it up.

I have the same general gripe about large wheels on Novas and chevelles that don't have full radius wheelwells. I think anything bigger than 17 looks bad and MOST 17's on Novas I have not liked either, although there are a few exceptions (I think all of which or on this site somewhere). Camaros though, I like with 17's and even 18's if it's the right combo. I'm going to do what 73novaguy suggested eventually, get a vintage-looking wheel in either a 16 (there's still plenty of good choices in this size) or 17.

[USAZR1]

Actually,16" tire selection sucks as bad as 15's.