Ralley wheels and Hotchkis Suspension?

[Mike_M]

Hi folks, I'm at the point with my camaro that I'm considering buying tires for the ralley wheels I've got - they're 15x7's. I was planning to use them until the car is on the road, and perhaps for as long as a year after until I can afford to upgrade to 17" Vintage wheel works V45's. I've got the Hotchkis springs (2" drop front & 1 1/2" back) installed, and I'm concerned that it might not look right with the lowered stance and the 15" tires. I was planning to go with 225/60-15's on the front, and 245/50-15's on the back, of course the quintessential BFG Radial T/A's. It's not a whole lot of cash for the tires, but if it doesn't look right I really don't want to waste the money, and will wait until I can afford the 17's. Does anyone have pics of a first gen camaro with Hotchkis suspension and 15" ralleys? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

[vanzuuk1]

Not hotchkiss,but these are 4.5 BS rims.

[Mike_M]

Thanks - what's the tire size on there? That doesn't look too bad at all... would your car be about 2" lower than stock? Are those wheels 7" or 8" wide?

[vanzuuk1]

I am trying to remember, think those were 225 60s front and 245 60s rear. I dont know how much lower the car is than stock,and those are 8 inch rally wheels from year one. The tall tires really ride nice,low profiles feel a little nervous by comparison.Heres a pic with new tires.

[69Nova]

I am trying to remember, think those were 225 60s front and 245 60s rear. I dont know how much lower the car is than stock,and those are 8 inch rally wheels from year one. The tall tires really ride nice,low profiles feel a little nervous by comparison.Heres a pic with new tires.

I know I have told you before but, your car rocks!

[68sixspeed]

Well, it's not hotchkis, but this is mine lowered some when it had 15" rally's; P215/65/r15 on 15x7 4"bs front, 255/60/r15 on 15x8 4.25bs rear. I'm kind of starting to mis the look... but then again the handling differnence on 17's is amazing. -Dan

[Mike_M]

Thanks, both those cars look great. I obviously didn't have anything to worry about. Dan, I remember seeing that pic of your car years ago, possibly in a magazine? I found it very inspirational. I love the stance with the ralleys. I hope mine ends up like that with the Hotchkis suspension. I may have to try to find myself some 15x8's for the back. I still want the 17" V45's, but I definitely could live with that look for a very long time.

[6'9"Witha69]

I don't have any dig pics from when I had the 15s, but when I did it looked fine and the wheel/tire specs were: Fr 15x7 4 bs 235/60/15: Rr 15X8 4.5 bs 255/60/15 (26.8" tall). Your average 245/45/17 is 25.7" tall, so the 17s will have ~.5" more gap.

[68sixspeed]

Mike-

Thanks- yes it did some press time years ago (or in it's former life), now it's a bit more update, more motor, interior changes, and the 17's; but I still have the rally's if I get the urge to go back. I'm toying with putting the rally's back on the '68 and maybe using the 17's on the '69. -Dan

[Beegs]

Hotchkis springs front and back with 16" Ralley wheels.

[Mike_M]

Thanks everyone - hopefully I'll be picking up the tires for the ralleys soon, I'll post pics once they're on the car and it's back down on the ground.

[MonzaRacer]

Unless you have aftermarket Ralleys the old school chevy ralleys are 15x7 4.5 bs and the most common 15x8's are 4 in bs (Corvette) I have heard of 15x8's in a 4.5 bs but never seen any yet.
A 2756015 will fit both 15x7 and 15x8 but works much better on the 8s,,, a 255 60 will fit a little better though.
235 or 245's on the 7s should work well,,, 225's might work as the car being lowered may make wider ones rub. BUT I ran 235s and 275s on my 70 Monte and a buddy had them on his 73 Camaro with no rubbing what so ever and very good clearance so I dont reall thing the 235s would hurt on front but on back try for as much rubber as you can.

[quicksilver69]

Here is my car, not a good pic, but its all i have for now..

[Mike_M]

Thanks everyone - the car is back on the ground now and I've got the BFG's for the front, the 245-60's for the back have proven very difficult to find, apparently BF Goodrich did not make enough of them last year. I haven't been able to find a single pair in Ontario, called just about every BFG dealer here. I did locate some in Ohio (apparently their last pair) and they should be here next week. If I can find some proper lug nuts I'll be putting the fronts on today. Here's some pics of the car as it sits now:







The only issue is the exhaust is a bit low, I think it'll sound pretty nasty, though! (if I ever get it running, that is)


The larger diameter tires & 15" wheels should give me a bit more clearance, and I'll shorten up those turn downs a bit. I'll post some pics of the stance once I've got the ralleys on. Thanks everyone for your advice!