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seagrams72


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Advice on wheel and tire choices
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I am looking at getting a new set of wheels and tires for my car this year.  Spending days worth of time searching in the last few months I have narrowed it down to a few, but am pricing tires before I buy.

I can fit a fairly big tire on an 8" wide rim so I am planning on sticking with that width on all four.

I have been tossed up between 15" or 17" diameter though.

Here is what I am looking at:

In 15":
Cragar D-Windows ~$55/ wheel


Something a little different, Bassett's DOT legal wheel ~$65/ wheel


In 17":
D-Windows ~$70/ wheel
See image above

Coy C-55's $125/ wheel and a few variations of this




What I am inquiring about is....

-I have heard about the D-window style wheels being heavy, does anyone have a number?  Also, how much of a difference is there in weight between say a 15" and 17" rim of the same type?  The weight on the Bassett's are ~24lbs/ wheel.

-On both diameters, I am looking for a good starting point on tire size.  I want to price tires before I go 15 vs. 17.

Thanks!



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Andy

Southern Suburbs
OscarZ


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I vote the Coy's. If you are going 17" Yearone Wheels make 5 spokes that replicate the SS wheels in 71-72.

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Michael S. - Cambridge
'71 Malibu
Derek69SS


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I wouldn't buy anything narrower than 9". You have plenty of room for wide tires, so use it. emote.img?ID=15268

I have the 17x9 Cragar D-windows on my car. They weigh about 40lbs each. emote.img?ID=15292


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Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
SShink


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For the looks, I like the Coys.  Old skool yet larger diameter that fills the wheelwell but isn't too big.  Depends on your budget though...

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Stan S.-Twin Cities 'South Metro'

1972 Malibu Convertible 2nd time around 

1999 SS Camaro LS1-6 speed

Forum influenced terms: 'Link Paste', 'Stanitized', & 'Revolving garage door...' 

 
seagrams72


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Thanks for the responses, the Coys are within the budget, after about the $150-175/ wheel range they skyrocket from there for anything I like.

Derek- I read your post on the d-windows on TC. I see you are running 265-40-17's? I believe another guy is running 275-40-17's. Both of which I can get for a comparable price to a tire in a 15" wheel of comparable width.

The D-Windows step from 8 to 9" and the Coy's step from 8 to 9.5". This car will almost always be street driven and be getting some decent miles on it this summer, any headaches with the wider tires (besides possible fitment and rubbing) or drawbacks? Thats what scares about commiting to a 9 or 9.5" though it has been done. I could go staggered, but would like the option to rotate.

The other option I have been looking at is the MB Old school which can be had in an 8 or 9.5" width. Awesome price, but I like the darker color of the Coy's better.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/wheels/mb_wheels/product/byName.do?tmn=Old+School&typ=Car%2FMinivan

I am leaning towards a 17" wheel, but hung up on the width. I contacted Coy's about weight and am awaiting a response.

-- Edited by seagrams72 on Wednesday 16th of March 2011 08:47:44 PM

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Andy

Southern Suburbs
bowtie


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I prefer the last ones too, have a set like them on my car. I agree with Derek, go bigger. It will make a big tire look good since the tire won't curve out so much from the bead to the tread.

Here's a 255/60r15 on an 8" rim and 235/60R14 on the 7" front



here's a 275/0R15 on the 10"rear and 235/60R15 on a 7" on the front.



it's not real noticeable, but looking at the tire/ground section it will be more pronounced and will always look a little flat, especially when there's a lower profile 50 or smaller series sidewall.

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Bryan-NW 'burbs
1972 Malibu
Vaguely stock appearing, and the opposite of restored.
1999 std bore 5.7, Vortec heads, Holley Stealth Ram, GM cam
700R4, Viking coilovers, 12 bolt 4.10 posi, and a whole bunch more
Derek69SS


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What is your front & rear suspension setups? That will effect how big of tire you can safely fit.

275/40 would look better than my 265s, but I was concerned about the tires rolling over too much, and narrower tires have more sidewall stability.

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Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
seagrams72


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Bryan, I never noticed those wheels on your car, but have always liked that look over the smooth style.

Derek69SS wrote:

What is your front & rear suspension setups? That will effect how big of tire you can safely fit.

275/40 would look better than my 265s, but I was concerned about the tires rolling over too much, and narrower tires have more sidewall stability.


Right now factory SS with a rear disc conversion.  I may drop it a little this summer, but don't want to be scraping the ground.

I can get the 275's for a good deal in a good tire.  ~115 a tire from a buddy of mine.

Also, I have heard spacers and no spacers, with 5.5" backspacing, would anyone think I would need one?

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Andy

Southern Suburbs
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