The official Tire and rim Thread!

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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby Gtdhw » Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:33 am

Year/Make/Model of car: '72 Vega Wagon
Rear end type: Ford 9" Moser axles with 5 on 4 3/4 pattern and re-drilled drums
Brakes (disc or drum): Drum
Width (if known): 55 5/16" Axle mounting surface to axle mounting surface.
Rear rim size: 15" x 8" Weld Draglite
Rear rim backspacing: 3 1/2"
Rear tire profile and size: 245/60/15 BF Goodrich Radial T/A

Front spring: Stock
Front spindle used: S-10
Front rim size: 14" x 6" Weld Draglite
Front rim backspacing: 3 1/2"
Front tire profile and size: 195/70/14 BF Goodrich Radial T/A


I know they stick out a little, but I like the "big & little" look, especially on this car. It just fits it IMO. There is an 1 1/2" between the back of the tire and the factory support rail. I can tuck 255/60/15's on 4 1/2" bs wheels under the lip, but I have no option of a dish that way. I have no clearance issues with setup.

Image

Image

Image


Same set up but with 26 x 9.5 Hoosier Quick Time Pro's

Image

Image
'72 Kammback GT
350/TH400
9" w/3.90's

"As I lay rubber down the street, I pray for traction I can keep, but if I spin and begin to slide, please dear God protect my ride"
-Amen
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby spencerforhire » Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:26 am

This is an awesome thread, and I know 11 pages in is waaaay too late for this, but i think this thread should have been split into 2 sections; Vega and Monza fender openings are so different it can create confusion as to what really does fit.
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby bill1978v8 » Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:58 pm

Anyone got any pics of a Starfire with 14x6 SSII wheels? I like these a lot.
Bill
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby peterpan » Wed Nov 02, 2011 1:46 am

i have the stock olds rallies i want to put on my starfire but that car got pushed back a bit on the list
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby my79monza » Wed Nov 02, 2011 2:24 pm

spencerforhire wrote:This is an awesome thread, and I know 11 pages in is waaaay too late for this, but i think this thread should have been split into 2 sections; Vega and Monza fender openings are so different it can create confusion as to what really does fit.


I agree, most postings are for Vegas and I have a Monza.
will a combo that sticks out a bit on a Vega stay inside the rear fender on a Monza?
I want mine tucked in just enough not to rub.
Looking at a set of 15x8 American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels w/ 3 1/2 BS
I see that combo sticks out just a tad on a Vega as per Gtdhw will it on a Monza?

Merle
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby Gtdhw » Wed Nov 02, 2011 5:57 pm

my79monza wrote:
spencerforhire wrote:This is an awesome thread, and I know 11 pages in is waaaay too late for this, but i think this thread should have been split into 2 sections; Vega and Monza fender openings are so different it can create confusion as to what really does fit.


I agree, most postings are for Vegas and I have a Monza.
will a combo that sticks out a bit on a Vega stay inside the rear fender on a Monza?
I want mine tucked in just enough not to rub.
Looking at a set of 15x8 American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels w/ 3 1/2 BS
I see that combo sticks out just a tad on a Vega as per Gtdhw will it on a Monza?

Merle


Might not want to use me as an example. While I'm not sure what the exact factory measurement is, I noticed quite a few 53" & 54" rear housing widths in this thread, mine is couple inches wider at 56". That would be why my 15x8 with 3 1/2" bs stick out some. It would also be why I can run 4 1/2" bs with out rubbing. Based off of the measurements I've read in this thread, 3 1/2" bs is the norm and don't usually stick out. I'm just special. 8)
'72 Kammback GT
350/TH400
9" w/3.90's

"As I lay rubber down the street, I pray for traction I can keep, but if I spin and begin to slide, please dear God protect my ride"
-Amen
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby patrick1151 » Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:05 pm

Ok now that my head is completely spinning. I am looking at ordering some 15 inch wheels in 4x4. I can basically get whatever I want in 14's or 15's. Totally stock car, needs new shocks and coils anyways so I could buy some 3rd gen f body coils as they are probably more readily available. Tire guy told me 70 series like a 205 70 15 are cheaper than a 60 series tire. If I order them, I am only going to order 2 so I can get some better snow tires for the winter.

Am I going to be ok with a 205 70 15 or? Recommendations please. Also on the the coils if possible.
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby peterpan » Tue Nov 08, 2011 12:37 am

check out kumho ecsta ast i bought mine all 4 for 350 bucks summit or jegs. jegs had the best price i found. its all season tire.

195-50x15 front unknown front springs but the sit high like monza v8 springs
225-50x15 rear with camaro rear springs and rubber pad on top of the spring
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby patrick1151 » Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:28 am

Sorry I probably should have said they are for my skyhawk so I have a little more room in there.

And the problem with buying them off the net is shipping and some of the tire companies will not ship to Canada.
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby jamesp » Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:48 pm

Will these fit an original GT wheel for Monza?

Maxxis MA703 P19570R13
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby vegastre » Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:44 pm

Pontiac Snowflake Wheels:

This is for Pontiac wheel lovers, Snowflakes to be specific which I have always been partial too going back to my Trans Am days. I ran across some 13" Snowflakes on a 80 Sunbird at a local yard many, many years ago and immediately put them on Astre Wagon. Very Pontiac and very natural look for the Astre. So much so when I decided recently to go 5 lug there was no doubt that I would retain the snowflake look but the larger in 15X7 profile. As a note the wheels are idntical in look except for size.

So far I have observed...

Stock 13” 4 Lug Snowflake is six inches wide. Back space 3.75 and front space 2.25.

Stock 15” 5 Lug Snowflake is seven inches wide. Back space is 4.00 and front 3.00

Its my cautious opinion the fifteens will have no problem fitting nicely under stock fender wells.

Tire choice is of course a hard call...

I know a lot on here like to aggressively fill up the fender well to the point of having to deal with the thinnest of margins but over the years I have gotten so use to the Snowflakes I am just trying to replicate this look beyond fashionable or monstrous styling. I also realize that Snowflakes are not modern and not everyones cup of tea but I will post before and after pictures for those nostalgic Pontiac fans who do.

Well,
I did some measuring this weekend with a home made tool. Talking first gen stock ride height. A four inch back space with a four inch front space is absolutely max and very, very tight. I would go 7 inch wide wheels to be safe. Tire diameter 24 inch max and and a 23 inch to be safe. Eight inch wide would be max. 15teens, 16teens, even 17teens if you stayed within these parameters. Of course the 17's will ride a bit rough=)

These are just general measurements I took so...As always should any of your IM force be caught or killed the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This disc will self destruct in five seconds.
Last edited by vegastre on Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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72 Chevrolet Vega GT Hatchback
75 Pontiac Astre SJ Safari Wagon
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby spencerforhire » Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:39 am

Back in the early 1990's I had a set of the 13" "snowflakes" on my winter beater 1978 Sunbird wagon and thought they looked pretty cool. I had dreams of switching up to the 15" ones, but the car had terminal cancer. The 15" ones come in both 7" and 8" widths; the 8's were on 78-81 T/A's with WS6 suspension and 4 wheel disc brakes. I think they were 4.25" or 4.5" backspace and would probably need a spacer to clear the inner wheel well brace. If you're looking for something a little smaller, they were also offered on the Grand Prix in 14x6.
Or if you've got deep pockets there's an aftermarket 17x9 version, but somehow i doubt they'd fit on an Astre.....
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby vegastre » Mon Jan 16, 2012 12:03 pm

No deep pockets here. I picked up a 15X7 set on Craig's List for a $100 bucks. The aluminum is a bit oxidized but no road rash. Some elbow grease, buff, paint and the wheels should look great. Before I bought them I did measure the back space and was amazed that the BS was only quarter inch difference from the 13” Snowflake. Pretty safe bet using 195-45-15. Again, not as stylish as filling out the fender wheels to the max.

BTW, good job on the tubs and they look serious. I Enjoyed your description of your 72 Vega being parts of parts drag cars to once again live up to the rich Vega racing heritage. For some reason in Dallas we are seeing less and less Vegas at the races. Use to see one or two every time I went out. Last few times, none.
Phil Kennedy~
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75 Pontiac Astre SJ Safari Wagon
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby bugdewde » Sat Mar 24, 2012 6:18 pm

Picked up a set of '85-'87 16" IROC wheels today.
Stock Backspacing/offset.
Threw on some used "roller" tires to gauge fitment.
Here's a shot of the fronts.
205/45-16 propped up against my 205/60-13 on the Hatchback

45.jpg


90.jpg


0 light.jpg


Looks to be a tight fit.... especially if I use the cut Cosworth springs I'm wanting to use.......
Oh, and the rotor will be moved outboard about a 3/8", as I'm putting 4th gen Camaro rotors over some cut down S-10 rotors.
Once I get all the parts swapped over to the Wagon project, I'll get more pics.

Image

EDIT:
Finally got them on the Wagon project.... had to use two sets of "FRONTS" (4.75" BS).... the "REARS" (5.25" BS) hit the tie rods up front and the inner fender when used in the rear.
Fronts are forced outwards about 1/4" due to having the 4th gen Camaro rotor sitting over the cut down S-10 rotor hat.
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Last edited by bugdewde on Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The official Tire and rim Thread!

Postby cosvega76 » Sun Mar 25, 2012 7:45 am

Dwight,

Don't forget on those IROC wheels: there are "front" and "rear" wheel backspacing/offset. I don't remember specifically what they are, but IIRC most folks looked for "rear" wheels. But, maybe, with the additional outward offset of your rotors you may need a "front" wheel. The front wheels on my Vega have a 4-1/2" backspace (17x7").

Chuck
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