Swapped my 15s for 17s.... PICs

[rlovell383]

I was dead set on staying with the 15 inch wheel look... But when I came upon the opportunity to trade for some 17 in Rocket Racing wheels..... This is what happened. I like a bit more sidewall on my tires, so I went with 275-50s in back, and 235-50s in front. JUST fits. :) The handling improvement is rediculous. Let me know what you think!!!

[BossaNova]

Looks and handling?
I think you made a good choice.

[GenPac]

Rears look incredibly tall... Is the overall diameter larger than your previous setup?
Regardless, I love a decent sidewall too, esp when it fills the wheel well gap.

[rlovell383]

The outside diameter is identical to my 275 60 15s and the fronts are the same as my old 245 60 15s.

Randy

[GHOSTDANCER]

Looks perfect :1st:

[ZZIXX]

You absolutely made the right choice. That combo looks great!!

[HELLCAMINO]

What brand tires are those? I want the same sizes next time I need tires for my Elco.

[rlovell383]

Nitto is the only company I found to make the 275-50s. They are the NT-450. For the fronts I went with Yokohama S Drives. Similar tread pattern/speed rating, and the car feels very balanced in corners.

Randy

[John McIntire]

do you have any before pics? Car looks good, still undecided about the rear, It looks a little high, might be the camera angle. Is your car lowered at all? I like the stance, but if you had another shot of the rear at a different angle, it might not look as high.

[buickfunnycar.com]

How could you not like that...?

[rlovell383]

It has GW L-2 springs in back, and lowered in front with hidden adjusters. Heres one with my old 15s and another at a different angle with the 17s. Thanks guys, I love getting input!

Randy

[John McIntire]

Ah! Thats it! Much better! I like that! That first shot was like an optical illusion to me! It looked like there was so much room from the quarter panel down to the grass and I thought it looked really tall, but thats the money shot there! Looks great!

[JeffT]

Great looking ride either way.

[GenPac]

Ah! Thats it! Much better! I like that! That first shot was like an optical illusion to me! It looked like there was so much room from the quarter panel down to the grass and I thought it looked really tall, but thats the money shot there! Looks great!

Good Eye, John. I had thought the same thing when I posted about the rear hight (post #3) It looked off, like truck tire high!
That last pic with the 17s (post #11) really does the stance justice.

[Mr Nick]

Very nice!

How much power are you putting down, and how is traction with the NT-450's?

(BTW I believe Falken makes a 275/50/17 as well, but it's a sport utility tire)

[rlovell383]

Very nice!

How much power are you putting down, and how is traction with the NT-450's?

(BTW I believe Falken makes a 275/50/17 as well, but it's a sport utility tire)


Thanks! The motor was dynoed at 465/465, and the nittos hold the power WAY better than my BFG TAs. It will still blow them off at will in 1st, and a good bit through second, but not nearly as easily as before. Cornering power is night and day.

Randy

[John McIntire]

Hey Randy, in your first post you mention that they "just" fit. What are you reffering to? The front or rear, and where is it close? Thanks again. I'm really liking your set up and was leaning toward 18's with a low profile, but I like the way your car sits and the 17's.

[joeelco72]

looks great man! I personally like some sidewall on my cars.

[rlovell383]

Hi John. Thanks for the complement! Its very tight on the front, and somewhat on back. The front is the worst. I had to "massage" the rear part of one of the front, inner fenders. But now it has about 1/4" clearance front and back, when i turn the wheels. And it never rubs. The rear tires, fit fine, with about 1/2 inch on the inner tubs for clearance. I got lucky with the stance in back, its just Global west L-2 springs and delrin bushings. On the front, I used Speedway TRU coils, and hidden adjusters to get it perfect.

Randy

[cluxford]

sidewall rules.

I'm running 17s (11" wide) with a 325 x 45 (M&H Drag Radial).

Gotta love a tall sidewall

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/04/IMG_3206-1.jpg

[John McIntire]

Hey Randy, do you remember your backspacing? oh, and wheel widths?

[qwik1320]

Looks great, Rocket Racing wheels - hmm have to add them to the short list, I wonder if they'll offer a wider 17".

[rlovell383]

Hey John, sorry I didnt see your question. They are 17x8 on all fours, 4.5 inch backspace.

http://www.rocketracingwheels.com/products/vintage-wheels/fuel-gray.html


Randy

[High Plains Mopars]

So if the overall height is the same but handling and grip improved. Sidewall height only changed from a 60 aspect ratio to a 50 series. I'd say the lighter weight of the Rockets over the factory rallyes and the improved compunds of the Nittos over the BFGs were responsible for the improvements and not necessarily the change from 15 to 17, although there are better tires available for 17s than there are for 15s.

[rlovell383]

Oh I agree with that %100. I don't think the wheel size had a ton to do with the handling improvement, but the new tech tires are wayyyy grippier. The alloy rims are definitely quite a bit lighter too. I should weigh the wheel/tire package differences.

Randy