What brand tires for a 1969 Camaro?

[jptonks]

Hello all,

I just purchased a very nicely redone 1969 Camaro. It has 14 inch wheels and 245/60R/14 BF Goodrich TA Radiual tires out back and 215/60R/14 tires up front. The wheels are stock Chevelle SS 5 spokes. Needless to say, this wheel/tire combination leaves a lot to be desired.

The car is going into storage for the winter in a month or so, but I would like to upgrade the wheels and tires right now. In the spring, I will upgrade the suspension a bit, perhaps a mild drop.

I believe that a 17 inch wheel will fit inside my wheelwells with the proper offset. What brand and size tires do you recommend (Nitto, Michelin, etc.) and what offset do you recommend for the wheels. I suspect that the rear wheel/tire will be slightly wider than the front. Good ol' hot rod "big and littles".

Thanks for your help.



John T.

[Apogee]

I'm a brake guy (so take this with a grain of salt), but I would suggest that you plan your suspension, brakes and wheel/tire combo in that order, as it generally tends to work out better and cheaper in the end. Sinking thousands into wheels and tires may make the biggest aesthetic difference with respect to the stance per dollar, however it can limit you down the road when you start looking at your suspension and brake options unless you took those variables into account with your wheels/tires. Nobody likes it when the find out that their new wheels won't work with the lowered suspension they want to run or clear the brake calipers they found a great deal on.

Just a side note, but 18's are getting more and more support in high-performance tire widths to the point that I would lean towards 18's over 17's most days/cars/applications unless I had a good reason not to.

Tobin
KORE3

[rickpaw]

Agree with Tobin there.

What are your plans for the car? The car has 14" wheels so I'll take it it has drums? Are you planning to switch to disc (stock or bigger brakes). As Tobin said, plan your suspension/brake first, then buy your wheels/tires around that. I have 17" Torque Thrust 2 (cause everyone was running them at that time), and that limit on the size of brakes I can run. I'd like to run 13" C5/C6 brakes up front now, but that means I have to upgrade the wheels (again).

[jptonks]

The car has disks up front and drums in back. My plans include better seats and steering box, then new shocks all around (probably Ridetechs). I want a really nice ride so I am limiting my tire size to 17, perhaps 18 if I can be convinced.

The car probably needs disks all around next year, then a 5 or 6 speed transmision. Current drive train is sbc (375 HP), 350 TH transmision, and 3:42 12 bolt posi rear.

Thanks for your replies, guys.

John T.

[Rod]

what you gonna do with this car? autocross? track car? average PT car? all around car? what do you have for a budget? not just now but later on for replacement tires? just some things to help you think about an end goal

[jptonks]

Street driven only. Budget for tires, wheels, ridetech shocks, new steering box, steering wheel, front seats= $6000

John T.

[Bigblue73]

I've had great luck with Nitto 555's. Cost is not bad either.

[Formula43wheel]

Lots of tire options in 18" and they'll clear most aftermarket disc brake conversions. Also, 18" wheels will give the Camaro a great modern Pro Touring look that you'll be happy with for many years down the road.

Good Luck!

[MonzaRacer]

With the Camaro, honestly, look at complete ridetech frontend with TruTurn. This would give you best of all worlds, RQ coilovers , and a reasonably priced 18 that you can specify the back space. Then drop on best priced brake system you can. IF you can make Corvette brakes fit on ridetech kit then you keep GM compatibility so to speak.
On the rearend look into swapping on S10/Blazer rear disc as it gives you P brake, the ability to buy the backing plate and all for same price then slap on rotors and brakes, and your done AND they clear old 15s for drag racing. Just my idea,,,,,.

[19sixtynine]

I went with 18's but only AFTER I figured out the brakes i wanted...the complete C5/C6 front and rear kit from Tobin at KORE 3. Definitely glad I did the research on brakes first and I LOVE my 18's. I was on budget so I went with Khumo Ecsta ASX and i'm super happy with them. My car is just a street car though.Tires out the door mounted and balanced were around $900 for 245/40 and 285/40. In hindsight though I should have probably gone with a 35 rear as it rubs the inner wheelwell when compressed. Hope this helps