20's on first gen?

[USAZR1]

Ya they were able to finish before they moved. they are still in marysville just a different location.



As for running the 19/18 combo or even a 19/17 combo. I would love to but the wheels I want are not offeered in a 19.

I realize that I would be murdering the performance of my car but I am not to concerned about that. As long as it is driveable (cruising, normal driving conditions...I know, I know... this is somewhat of "sinful" thinking around here).

Thanks for all of the feedback...what about the 20/17 combo with about a three inch rake. Anybody ever see that combo. I realize some of you hate the raked look, not only because of performance issues but also the look. But I was just wondering if anybody has seen it done. I am curious to see what it looks like.

You won't destroy the performance of your car by adding 20's. The difference between 18's and 20's isn't earth-shattering. I switched from 18x10's to 20x10's on the rear of my former 68 El Camino w/GW suspension and could not tell that much of a difference. That car had 17x8's on the front and the wheel diameter difference was very noticeable,looks-wise. Not sure I would ever run more than a 2" wheel diameter difference from front to rear again,though. If you want,I can post a photo.

It's your car so build it like you want,,not to impress others.

[Travis B]

17, 20 does not look the best IMO

Your best bet is 18,20 and 19,22

the 19,22 combo is the only one I like for the 3 in difference not sure why but it just looks good!

[calicraig]

I have never seen anyone speak to what the "optimum" or "maximum advisable" weight of a wheel/tire combo would be.


Isn't that the real issue here (other than how they ultimately look)?

The overall diameter or width of the tire doesn't seem to be the issue. That is generally the biggest you can fit and since a 265 is a 265 whether it is 18" or 20",,,,,,

There could be a sidewall issue, but that is not what you hear when somebody says "that size (bigger than 18") will destroy your performance.

I bet there are even 18" combo's that are heavier (and thus worse for performance??) than a well selected 20" combo.

But nobody seems to talk about what the target weight should be. But I bet those Formula 1 guys figure that out...

Am I off base?

Let a brotha' know.

For the record I am looking for 20's that aren't purely Bling Bling,,,but I will never race my convertible. And I agree that some of these wheel combo's are ugly if they show puny brakes or the car is dumped over the top of them.

[Steve1968LS2]

I have never seen anyone speak to what the "optimum" or "maximum advisable" weight of a wheel/tire combo would be.


Isn't that the real issue here (other than how they ultimately look)?

The overall diameter or width of the tire doesn't seem to be the issue. That is generally the biggest you can fit and since a 265 is a 265 whether it is 18" or 20",,,,,,

There could be a sidewall issue, but that is not what you hear when somebody says "that size (bigger than 18") will destroy your performance.

I bet there are even 18" combo's that are heavier (and thus worse for performance??) than a well selected 20" combo.

But nobody seems to talk about what the target weight should be. But I bet those Formula 1 guys figure that out...

Am I off base?

Let a brotha' know.

For the record I am looking for 20's that aren't purely Bling Bling,,,but I will never race my convertible. And I agree that some of these wheel combo's are ugly if they show puny brakes or the car is dumped over the top of them.

It's not the weight of the wheel.. it is how far that weight is from the center of the wheel. As the weight moves away from the hub it's effect is exponential.

It's ok to go with 20's if that is what you like, the important part is to have a firm understanding of the forces involved so that you know what you are compromising from a performance standpoint.

[Steve1968LS2]

Technically anything over a 17" wheel is a performance compromise but who cares.. if you like the "look" then go for it. As stated Jason ran 20's on the back of his with minimal mods (if any).. I personally don't like anything over an 18 on a Camaro. The bigger wheels work better on bigger cars (like some Mopars). It also depends on the wheel.. some designs look bigger than they are and some smaller. Oh, and nothing looks worse than small brakes behind huge wheels IMO..

If you do it just know that it is hurting your performance.. If that is ok with you then great. It is just funny when someone tries to act like thier 20's or 19's are somehow not putting form over function.

How about 19's and 18's? You could still mount up huge ass brakes, look great and perform better than the 20's.. just an idea.. Most of all, do what YOU like

[robbie9999]

not into camero s but this guy when nuts on the wheels

wondering what kind they are - intro custom wheels v rod 5 ?

[Orngcrush69]

Anything over 18" for a "pro touring" car is just plain wrong...I'm sorry. And the car in the magazine shots, what are those 245's all the way around?! Stop the madness!

[TA219]

I like the look of a good wheel & TIRE set up, I just have never liked a big wheel with a rubber band for a tire, If the car has any power at all i would imagine that they have traction problems. Even if it is a cruising car its gonna suck when you try to jump on it real quick and do nothing but spin.

I think a 17/18 combo would look good and personally i dont want anything less then a 275 on the back. Plus it can be done with no tubs !
check out this thread for details
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=10840

[LS1Bandit]

I am not into the staggered wheel look, I see many cars going with HUGE wheels on the rear and 18's on the front, looks like crap IMHO. I think a nice set of 4 18's look killer on 1st gens, but i guess it doesn't get the attention like 20's "bling bling"

[slownova]

i did 19s and 22s on my car but be warned its somewhat hard finding a nice tire that matches in 19s and 22s. mine is on a 70 chevelle. some like it, most dont.

[USAZR1]

IMO,that tire & wheel combo looks absolutely killer on your Chevelle,Slow. The car's attitude is just righteous.
You can't please everybody and it is foolish to even try.

[slownova]

oh trust me, i wouldn't care if i was the only one that liked something, that isn't going to stop me from doing it one bit.

[third base]

well, I have made a decision on the rear wheel size:20's. As for the fronts, I am still kicking it around. personally I kind of like the 70's staggered look and doing a 20/17 would give it that look, just with a more modern touch. 20/18 is my last choice mainly because "it's been done" on more than just a couple of cars. Probably my first choice is a 20/19, but the guy i am getting my tires from and helping me with all of the measurements (owner of a local les schwab) is telling me that later on down the road a 19" tire may become hard to match with a 20" in my specs because they are kind of starting to phase out? i am not in the wheel and tire business so I am kind of trusting his word. what do you guys think? I am still kicking the 20/17 around mainly because I have yet to see one with this combo...maybe there is a good reason for that, or maybe a lot of people are afraid of trying it out. I don't know. besides paint color, this is one tuff decision. it will make or break it. I may be purchasing my wheels at the good guys car show on the 12th, so i should(?) have a decision by then. thanks for the input.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

well, I have made a decision on the rear wheel size:20's. As for the fronts, I am still kicking it around. personally I kind of like the 70's staggered look and doing a 20/17 would give it that look, just with a more modern touch. 20/18 is my last choice mainly because "it's been done" on more than just a couple of cars. Probably my first choice is a 20/19, but the guy i am getting my tires from and helping me with all of the measurements (owner of a local les schwab) is telling me that later on down the road a 19" tire may become hard to match with a 20" in my specs because they are kind of starting to phase out? i am not in the wheel and tire business so I am kind of trusting his word. what do you guys think? I am still kicking the 20/17 around mainly because I have yet to see one with this combo...maybe there is a good reason for that, or maybe a lot of people are afraid of trying it out. I don't know. besides paint color, this is one tuff decision. it will make or break it. I may be purchasing my wheels at the good guys car show on the 12th, so i should(?) have a decision by then. thanks for the input.

All else aside, one thing you may have a problem with is matching the aspect ratios on a 20/17 combo. 245/45/17 has 4.5" of sidewall (A.R.). Most 20" tires are around 3-3.5" of sidewall. It might be something to look into if you're intent on running the 17/20.

[Travis B]

We ahve run a 17/20 cpmbo on street rods but, we run a very small tire up front usually a 215. Ralph is right tho get a very wide tire on a 17 the sidewall will much larger in comparison to the 20 out back! Which IMO does not look good.

[Y-TRY]

IMO- Anything over 18" is anti-performance. Sure, it looks neato on 'Dubs' toy cars, but kinda makes the vehicle look street rod. Nothing Pro or Touring. No matter what you do to the suspension it'll still handle like poop. Might as well put air bags on it.

That is, of course, unless you consider this to be a BMX bike:

[Travis B]

IMO- Anything over 18" is anti-performance. Sure, it looks neato on 'Dubs' toy cars, but kinda makes the vehicle look street rod. Nothing Pro or Touring. No matter what you do to the suspension it'll still handle like poop. Might as well put air bags on it.

That is, of course, unless you consider this to be a BMX bike:

So did you have any good input to add to this post or???????

[JoshStratton]

Might as well put air bags on it.

I would LOVE to know what your reasoning for this is....sorry to hijack the thread.

[slownova]

IMO- Anything over 18" is anti-performance. Sure, it looks neato on 'Dubs' toy cars, but kinda makes the vehicle look street rod. Nothing Pro or Touring. No matter what you do to the suspension it'll still handle like poop. Might as well put air bags on it.

That is, of course, unless you consider this to be a BMX bike:

i guess i am anti-performance. however, the global west tubular control arms, b-body spindles, 13.5 wilwood brakes, 1 1/4 sway bar, air-ride shockwaves, and air bags and QA-1 shocks in the rear with over 11.2 contact patch of tire would like to diss agree. i think air-bags are going to be a wave of the future. i have springs with air that i can change the rate of at any point and time. the car handles just as good as my first gen with alot of handling mods and 18s. in fact the car handles better. i guess im Anti-performance however. :3gears:

[Travis B]

i guess i am anti-performance. however, the global west tubular control arms, b-body spindles, 13.5 wilwood brakes, 1 1/4 sway bar, air-ride shockwaves, and air bags and QA-1 shocks in the rear with over 11.2 contact patch of tire would like to diss agree. i think air-bags are going to be a wave of the future. i have springs with air that i can change the rate of at any point and time. the car handles just as good as my first gen with alot of handling mods and 18s. in fact the car handles better. i guess im Anti-performance however. :3gears:

I wouldn't be too concerned Y-try has been on here and lat-g popping off one liners. He has provided nothing to back anything up yet....he'll just keep rambling and no one will listen to him!

There is am article in an upcoming PHr mag that will show that air bags can preform just as good as a regular bolt on car...but them you have the ability to hammer it so it doesn't look like the rest of the cars sitting in the lot.