68 camaro 15" rim combo?

[David Pozzi]

I've got a friend with a 68 Camaro, he's asking me what is a good street combo for 15" wheels?

I told him maybe 245/50's all around any thoughts?
What backspace?

I'd like to see 8.5" wheel width for good handling, but he doesn't want to push the width to the limit, he wants a good streetable setup for stock height or maybe an inch lowered car.

He wants to use the old cast 200S type wheels but is afraid the fronts with an 8.5" width may have too much offset in that wheel.
thanks, David

[Tom Welch]

Dave, I'm not sure of the back spacing but, wont GM 15x8 rally wheels from a 70's corvette fit? If so I recommend 245/60r15 in front and 275/50r15 in back. Both tires have similar diameters and I know that they will fit on an 8 inch wheel. Will .5 inch of width make much difference in handling? I believe that American will make a custom offset wheel, too.

[David Pozzi]

Tom,
Thanks, I'm finding out that there are very fiew "Ultra high perf" handling tires in 15"! I told him to look at Kuhmo Ecsta MX and BFG KD's but there isn't a good selection of sizes.
Most stop at 225X50X15/

I had the 8X15 corvette rims on my 67 years ago but that was back in the goodyear pollyglass days. Usually a 14" X 7" rim on the front fits well on a first gen but we want to get a 15" rim up front to match the rear dia. I'm fine with 8" widths, but don't want to see him use 7" width, I think he'd lose some handling performance.

He said his current 14" front wheel/tire is 24" tall and so he's looking for a 15" tire close to that height.

[OHCbird]

David-

I had the 15x7 / 15x8 combo with 215/65 or 225/60 in the front with 245-275/60 in the back. The 275 will rub if he uses the Vette offset 15x8s, but just a bit. Visually, the 245 looks a bit better in the rear, as it doesn't overpower the fronts.

An 8.5 in the back is OK with a 4.5 BS & will hold 245/255/275 60s no prob. Any lower profile (like the 295/50/15) is too wide... JMO, of course!

[David Pozzi]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Tom Welch]

Herb Adams recommended 255/50r16 radials for early f-bodies if I remember correctly. Being in the tire business I have searched for performance rubber for a similar application. I finally decided to use 17" rubber. 17X8 in front with 245/45r17 tires, 275/4017 on 17x9 in back. The performance tire selection is almost endless.

[David Pozzi]

Tom,
Yes I'm going with 17" myself since there is a very good selection of ultra high perf tires in that rim size.

[kman67rsss]

i am running 15X8 ralley wheels on my 67. i have 235/60/15 up front and 295/50/15 in the rear. i also have a mini tub kit so that makes a little bit of differance. anyways im running BFG comp TA's front and rear. not sure what they are considered as far as performance wise but was told they are a good tire. both these tires are around a 26" diamater i believe. couldnt tell you how they ride as i havent gotten to drive the car yet

[mikes69z]

Dave,

I have 15x8 Minilite wheels for my '69 Camaro that have 4.5 backspacing. I added aftermarket rear disk brakes which resulted in the rims being pushed slightly outboard from stock location. Preliminary fit of the rims looks perfect

My rear is stock height and the front is lowered 1" with the GLobal West A-arms and stiffer springs. I've taken many wheelwell measurements front and rear and I'm planning on using Dunlop 255/60-15 in the rear with 235/60-15 in the front.

Cheers..

[BRIAN]

I am also tossing around old school look with 15's myself. Try Rogerkraustires.com They have a lot of 15's some DOT some not but they are treaded. They are marketed towards the Cobra crowd. The heights actually fall into the 26" range which is about right for early f bodies. I called to get better idea of I guess rating compared to say a "Z" rated model but I am in no way a tire expert. The answer I got was they are ultra sticky?

[CarlC]

David,

The first setup the car had was a 225-/255/60/15 setup. I still have pics if interested.

The front can easily handle a 235/60 with a 4-1/2"BS. 245/60 all around is a good option.

Most high-performance 255 and up sizes are hard to find in 15/16" diameters.

[MrQuick]

David,
We ran fronts 15x7 ralley stock BS and rears 15x8 also stock BS with 225 60 15 and 265 50 15 tires. Fit ok could have used a 1/4" more BS than stock.

[David Pozzi]

Thanks, that helps!

[jcs]

On my 1968, I can fit 245/60/14's in front aand 275/50/15's in the back. These are on old Centerline Champ 500's, 14x7 front and 15x10 rear, my car is not lowered much. Front backspace is 4", rear is 3.75". I share your pain about a lack of good 15" tires. I have another set of Torque Thrusts, 15x7 front and 15x10 rear, both with 3.75" backspace and Goodyear Blue Streaks for track days, 6x15 fronts and 7x15 rears, which are equivalent to about 270/50/15 and 305/50/15, and they fit just barely on a car that is only lowered a tad. I would guess the vintage race guys run these with spring rates about double what mine are (550# front, 175# rear) to keep them from rubbing. I'm going to ditch the Centerlines to use bigger brakes (anyone want them?) and probably use a 235/60/15 on the front for the street.