Just sold my old 15 inch rally wheels and tires, its time for a new set. Ide like to get a set of 17's 17x8 up front and 17x9.5 out back. I was thinking about the cragar s/s wheel but im open minded to anything really, chrome or painted. Ide like to get some ideas of whats out there that looks good at an afordable price. I'm really not looking to break the bank, something like HRE wheels are out of the qustion. If you guys any pictures or horror storys to share please do by all means. Ive got the hothkis set up on the car so it sits lower then stock.

If you are trying to stay low in cost I would have stayed with the Rally's.I like Skips aluminum Rally's that is skeeter55 check them out.I am just old school this is JMO....

yeah I did love the rallys but Im doing a big brake kit, gotta run 17's for it. I myself would like to stay with the old school theme. Im not really big into the whole pro touring thing and would like the " modern modifications " to be there but just under the radar.

I like Skips wheels,look at this link and PM him for a price.
http://www.camaros.net/forums/album.php?u=36304

American Racing has had issues of late but when you say budget and old school in the same breath I think American 200Ss (Daiseys) or Salt Flats. Please polished TTIIs are beaten to death (but there is a reason - not trying to offend anyone) unless you want to do with the CLs (grey spokes). If you want to spend a little more money Vintage Wheel Works and Team III both have some nice old school wheels. Check them out.

dude I could not agree with you more TTs's are... let me nice about this and just say if I see one more set of them rolling down my street....I'm going to have a serious anger episode. I do really like Skips wheels they are defiantly unique however I'de like something a bit more open. Im spending all this money on a set of willwoods I would like to see them you know what I mean. The vintage wheel V40's are nice, ebay had a rim and tire package going on them for 1500 bucks not bad but now I cant find it anymore. I guess that's Murphy law for yha.

Save your money and forget the 17's...17" wheels and tires generally cost alot more money than 16's, 18"'s are even more $$$....People want to complain about the Torq Thrust II's??? I mean no disrespect when I say this but everyone having an erection over 17's or 18's on a first gen and then leaving the old grandma 40+ year old steering gear box in there makes me want to hurl!!

You want it to handle better? Put one of these in there from Detroit Speed http://www.detroitspeed.com/productpages/indproduct/steeringprod/steering_gear_prod.htm

Then mount some P245/50/ZR16's on it.....FWIW, I have that gear box in my car in the ceramic version....I'm debating the tires now because the car has other issues at this point, so I'm rolling w/ P235/60R15's all the way around on Chrome Rally's.

You will have spent less money putting that set up on your car along with that Detroit Speed third gen steering box than P245/45/ZR17's tire & wheel combo's...That 16" size is what the 5.7L IROC-Z's rolled with and both my third gens would eat either of my first gen's for lunch in a road race with lots of twistys back in the day or even today. Forget the $2,500 + tax 17" tire & wheel packages. I've even heard some guys say they spent $4,500 on 18's....Put a 3rd gen steering box in there with some P245/50ZR16's......That's less money overall for the 16" tires & wheels w/ the 3rd gen steering gear box, and you'll out handle the guy with 18's who spent enough money to feed an entire neighborhoood and wants to be cool, yet still runs the 40 year old gear box.


FWIW, The Tire rack has Z rated BFG's P245/50/ZR16's at $93 per tire brand new right now! The least expensive BFG in a P245/45/ZR17 size is $128 per tire.....I've seen P245/50R16's go for $100 for all 4 tires w/ 9/32" of tread on them that are three years old on craigs list in my area.

FWIW I like the 16" Torq Thrust D in this color..They are $230 per wheel and not $400 like some 17's I see.... (It's not made in a 17" size) http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=1054661AML&wheelMake=American+Racing+Vintage&wheelModel=Torq-Thrust+D&wheelFinish=Anthracite+w%2FMach+Lip&showRear=no&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoModel=Camaro&autoYear=1969&autoModClar=&filterSize=All&filterFinish=All&filterSpecial=false&filterBrand=All&filterNew=All&sort=Brand


Too many guys in my area spend Waaaay too much money on 17" tires & wheels and even more on 18'" combo's and neglect the steering gear box.....The big brake kit will still work with a set of 16" tires & wheels. It did with the 1LE IROC-Z's & 16's. It will with a first gen & 16's.....

I have nothing against 17's...It's just that prices are rediculous on 17" combos and even more outrageous on 18" set ups....The P245/50ZR16's with a 3rd gen steering box will outhandle 17's & 18's and the 40 year old gear box. Now if you can afford the 17's or 18's, the 3rd gen box, tubular upper & lower control arm's, hey more power to ya!..Just trying to save ya a few bucks and I mean no disrespect. :beers:

Moltar,

Use ebay #170122309519 for the Foose 17" Legends and Nitto 555's or visit his website at www.driverzinc.com and contact Jon directly.

When I'm ready - that's what I'm going with.

Bryan

I've had 15", 16", and 17" on the car. If you want to push the car in the corners then the 17's are your best bet. 16" have more sidewall to allow for a bit more forgiveness, but their limited sizes and compounds leave much to be desired. If cornering power is what you want then getting the widest 17" tire up front is going to net the best results. I run a 275/40/17 on all four corners with a 17 x 9.5 rim, which requires some minor modifications, all easily reversible and non-cosmetic, but the cornering power is significantly better than 16". 17" tire availability is much better than 16".

17" are also a good balance between a short and tall sidewall. Short sidewalls, such as those found on many 19-20" setups, do not lend themselves well to our cars. Modern suspsension designs do, but for most of us some forgiveness is needed, and very short sidewalls don't provide that. They tend to give very little notice of traction loss (squeeling) before breaking away.

So, if you are not out hammering the turns 16's are a nice choice and can be had relatively cheap if you search out some 3rd gen options and shoot for a maximum 255 section width. If cornering power is what you are after a good 17-18 will work very well.

You can get a 17" wheel/tire setup for $1600 in Vintage Wheel Works. Look at Carl's site for a pic.

Driverzinc on ebay. He's also a site sponsor on pro-touring.com

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vintage-Wheel-Works-17s-for-67-69-Camaro-With-Tires_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el111 6QQitemZ170270641716QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPa rtsQ5fAccessories

Rick, thanks for the link! Great to see the prices have come down on 17" tire & wheel combo's! I'd pay $1,500 all day long for that tire & wheel combo in the link you posted---- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vintage-Wheel-Works-17s-for-67-69-Camaro-With-Tires_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el111 6QQitemZ170270641716QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPa rtsQ5fAccessories

And that silver/magnesium color will look great on my car; since my car is black w/ white racing stripes. Kudos to ya for that link man! I guess that's what I get for being out of the auto service industry for almost 11 years. $1,500 in 2009 for a beautiful set of 17" tire/wheel combo--now you're talkin!!

Now if I could only trade my May 1968 dated original Camaro 12 bolt w/ c-clip eliminators for that 17" tire/wheel combo I would do it in a heartbeat! Thanks!! :thumbsup:

SSG&H

P.S. Carl----Do you have a link to the tire & wheel combo for the P275/40ZR17??? For the most part I like running the same size on all 4 corners. I know Corvette's ran that size (P275/40/ZR17) back in the day and so did the 1991 & 1992 Pontiac SLP 350 Firebird Firehawk.

Thanks guys!

Carl's site has alot of great stuff including his VWW 17" wheel setup.

I had VWW 16's on my 69. My goal is to get them in 17's for the 68.

I like Skips wheels,look at this link and PM him for a price.
http://www.camaros.net/forums/album.php?u=36304


I don't think those 18 inch rally wheels are cheap. In fact I'd bet they are pretty expensive:yes:

You can get a 17" wheel/tire setup for $1600 in Vintage Wheel Works. Look at Carl's site for a pic.

Driverzinc on ebay. He's also a site sponsor on pro-touring.com

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vintage-Wheel-Works-17s-for-67-69-Camaro-With-Tires_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el111 6QQitemZ170270641716QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPa rtsQ5fAccessories

Another big vote for Jon Henson @ www.driverzinc.com you CANNOT beat his net specials...LOL on the car he used for display in that ad.:D;):thumbsup:

old school look 17 inch cragars!!! now thats cool........

Mike (Moltar), what brake kit are you going with? That might limit what size wheel (and brand) you go with.

Yep. Just click on the link in my sig.

That's why there is such good tire availabilty. If you are looking for a decent tire at a great price Sumitomo has some good options. The Nitto 555 is also a great tire and can be had for around $600 set + mounting.

Though there may not seem like there would be much difference between a 255 and 275, the rim makes a ton of difference. The 255/50/16, which the car had previously, was on an 8" VWW rim. The new 275/40/17 is on a 9.5 rim, has a full 2" wider contact patch. That's huge considering that the relatively small contact patch is the only thing making traction.

Im going to be using a willwood kit the specs state to use a 17 inch wheel to clear the calipers. Ive seen some guys talk on this thread on use 16's or 15's with a good tire but due to this big break kit im stuck in the 17 + range. My daily drive Subaru Legacy has 18's and it has been a nightmare with them. There stock wheels but I have replaced 2 or them due to pot holes. I also believe that once you get into 18 inch rims or higher your just show boating, nothing against the look of 18 or 19's on camaros ( or other cars ) but I'de like to track this car weather on the 1/4 strip or on at an SCCA event. As of now im between a set of Vintage V40's or Cragar S/S 17x8 front - 17x9.5 out back. Ive looked at the Sticky thread where everyone has specs up and so far ive only found 1 camaro with a " big " set of cragars on it and of course the yellow Z28 with the V40's Im just going to throw up some pics here. one of the V40's im thinking of and the cragars in 17's although if anyone out there is running a set of 17 inch or higher cragars on there ride I would love to see them. I have only found 2 camaros online running 17' cragars.

V40's
http://i43.tinypic.com/aov1ax.jpg

Cragars
http://i39.tinypic.com/15hmw68.jpg

Save your money and forget the 17's...17" wheels and tires generally cost alot more money than 16's, 18"'s are even more $$$....People want to complain about the Torq Thrust II's??? I mean no disrespect when I say this but everyone having an erection over 17's or 18's on a first gen and then leaving the old grandma 40+ year old steering gear box in there makes me want to hurl!!

You want it to handle better? Put one of these in there from Detroit Speed http://www.detroitspeed.com/productpages/indproduct/steeringprod/steering_gear_prod.htm

Then mount some P245/50/ZR16's on it.....FWIW, I have that gear box in my car in the ceramic version....I'm debating the tires now because the car has other issues at this point, so I'm rolling w/ P235/60R15's all the way around on Chrome Rally's.

You will have spent less money putting that set up on your car along with that Detroit Speed third gen steering box than P245/45/ZR17's tire & wheel combo's...That 16" size is what the 5.7L IROC-Z's rolled with and both my third gens would eat either of my first gen's for lunch in a road race with lots of twistys back in the day or even today. Forget the $2,500 + tax 17" tire & wheel packages. I've even heard some guys say they spent $4,500 on 18's....Put a 3rd gen steering box in there with some P245/50ZR16's......That's less money overall for the 16" tires & wheels w/ the 3rd gen steering gear box, and you'll out handle the guy with 18's who spent enough money to feed an entire neighborhoood and wants to be cool, yet still runs the 40 year old gear box.


FWIW, The Tire rack has Z rated BFG's P245/50/ZR16's at $93 per tire brand new right now! The least expensive BFG in a P245/45/ZR17 size is $128 per tire.....I've seen P245/50R16's go for $100 for all 4 tires w/ 9/32" of tread on them that are three years old on craigs list in my area.

FWIW I like the 16" Torq Thrust D in this color..They are $230 per wheel and not $400 like some 17's I see.... (It's not made in a 17" size) http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=1054661AML&wheelMake=American+Racing+Vintage&wheelModel=Torq-Thrust+D&wheelFinish=Anthracite+w%2FMach+Lip&showRear=no&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoModel=Camaro&autoYear=1969&autoModClar=&filterSize=All&filterFinish=All&filterSpecial=false&filterBrand=All&filterNew=All&sort=Brand


Too many guys in my area spend Waaaay too much money on 17" tires & wheels and even more on 18'" combo's and neglect the steering gear box.....The big brake kit will still work with a set of 16" tires & wheels. It did with the 1LE IROC-Z's & 16's. It will with a first gen & 16's.....

I have nothing against 17's...It's just that prices are rediculous on 17" combos and even more outrageous on 18" set ups....The P245/50ZR16's with a 3rd gen steering box will outhandle 17's & 18's and the 40 year old gear box. Now if you can afford the 17's or 18's, the 3rd gen box, tubular upper & lower control arm's, hey more power to ya!..Just trying to save ya a few bucks and I mean no disrespect. :beers:

Sorry - but the steering box has very little if anything to do with "handling" - assuming "handling" means cornering ability. It has everything to do with "feel". A steering box upgrade alone won't make your car corner better. It might make you THINK it handles better, but unless you address the shortcomings of the suspensions in these old cars, you'll still peel the tires off of the rims at the same speed you did with the stock steering box. There is a ton of stuff that will actually allow your car to corner better, and bigger rims and performance tires are definitely among those. So are susp geometry, alignment specs, proper sway bar(s) and tuning of the bar(s), shocks, etc. Do some research.

I had the same thoughts, how could just a steering box improve cornering and handling? Im sure that in conjunction with a bolt in high performance rack and pinion would help allot. Im sure a full hotchkis set up with sub frame connectors, rack and pinon and a nice steering box would be a really nice set up. however, lets get serious here people, if you want to handle go buy an EVO or STI. I just sold my Subaru STI track car about a year ago and there is no way my camaro will out handle that car. Well, wait I retract that statement, maybe when hell's forecast calls for snow it will happen.

Read the posts in this thread made by Tyler (Teetoe Jones) He knows his stuff. These cars can be made to handle exceptionally well, and a steering box is just a part of it.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=144002

old school look 17 inch cragars!!! now thats cool........

Way to go SPARKY... I must be Old old school then with 15 inch Cragers...I went with Wilwood 4-wheel disc setup...and the 15 inches wheels were fine....trust me 5 years from now all those big wheels/tires combo are going to wind up coming off or find there way onto that show "Pimp my ride"

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a130/z282nv/Joes1969ChevroletCamaro008.jpg

on any classic car, Chrome will get yha home.

Don't forget the 18" Billets Raleys.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/skeeter55/HTOHCarShowpics003.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2603/dec2008007lm3.jpg

Sorry - but the steering box has very little if anything to do with "handling" - assuming "handling" means cornering ability. It has everything to do with "feel". A steering box upgrade alone won't make your car corner better. It might make you THINK it handles better, but unless you address the shortcomings of the suspensions in these old cars, you'll still peel the tires off of the rims at the same speed you did with the stock steering box. There is a ton of stuff that will actually allow your car to corner better, and bigger rims and performance tires are definitely among those. So are susp geometry, alignment specs, proper sway bar(s) and tuning of the bar(s), shocks, etc. Do some research.


I agree w/ you. There are alot of shortcomings with first gens vs second, third or 4th gens. I've done my research many many years ago. FWIW back in 1993 when I was a young lad I put Koni everything and I mean everything in my 3rd gen 1984 Z28 around 92,000 miles when the stock parts wore out...... I worked in the tire & auto industry then so I got parts at a discount, I would slip the tech a few bucks, we did the install during non business hours, he aligned it and away we went.... I road raced that car alot and had an open try out at a course in Michigan for SCCA against one of my buddies bosses. We used to set up some pylons in a parking lot in a nearby store in the NW Suburbs of Chicago where I worked back then. He ran a Mustang. His buddy ran a ZR-1 Corvette and that ZR1 is what I would use for my benchmark. I knew the ZR-1 was the superior car back then but I wasn't gonna use my grandma first gen as the measuring stick.....Most of my knowledge of course is 1990's based. I turned down that invitation since the car was my daily driver. What a mistake I made by turning it down!

I would love to have the DSE Speed Kit 3 set up here http://www.detroitspeed.com/productpages/indproduct/frontsuspensionprod/speed%20kits_prod.htm

Thankfully after doing some more research I see that tire & wheel packages have come down in price. I remember back in 1997 selling a guy a set of Fittipaldi wheels w/ some tires and those cost a pretty penny. The ARE 398's were common back then because everyone wanted that GTA Trans AM Look but at $400 per wheel around 15 years ago that was BIG BUCKS back then!

In short there's alot of cool mods one can do...But some of these guys around my area do nothing more than put a chrome set of 18's on their car and leave everything else the same. I'd rather keep the 15" Chrome Rally's and step up to the level 3 suspension from Detroit Speed for the same money they spent on their 18" wheels & Top of the line Michelin Pilot's, Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT, Dunlop SP Sport 5000M or even higher end P245/40/ZR18 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS just because they wanted to be cool and have a run flat tire at $450 - $500 per tire and impress their buddies.

I agree w/ Z28NV---The wheel sizes are getting ridiculous. What's next a set of 24" wheels w/ curb feelers, a boomerang antenna and electric strips & rain gutters. If I wanted my cars to look like my buddy's pimped out 1968 Buick back in the day when I was in my late teens/ early 20's, I would have bought a 1968 Buick Electra 225 instead. And one of my other buddy's still has his Duce and a 1/4 Buick. Thank God for him he's only 38! :beers:

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2603/dec2008007lm3.jpg


P.S. That is an ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS 1968 Camaro!! And a BIG THANK YOU for including that link in the bottom of the pic. Lots & Lots of informative info & modern day technological advances on there. Kudos for getting P275/40/ZR17 on all 4 corners!! :thumbsup: :beers:

Do yourself a favor and opt for 17" over 16"! Not only in terms of contact patch (275 vs. 255), there are very few 16" sizes available, 255 50 16 is becoming extinct as well. Rusty makes some nice wheels over at VWW. The seventeen should clear 13" rotor with C5 caliper, 16" clear 13" w/ C4.

SS

Thanks SSGH.

The 16" V45 will clear a 13" C4 PBR caliper setup. If using an aftermarket supplier the caliper type must be confirmed. I do not know if the C5 will fit, but I doubt it.

No, the C5 will not fit in a 16". Sigh. I did try :)

...and of course the yellow Z28 with the V40's Im just going to throw up some pics here. one of the V40's im thinking of...

V40's
http://i43.tinypic.com/aov1ax.jpg

Can't fault that look at all,lol...:noway::thumbsup::hurray::beers:

It's madness. You know I don't lose sleep over College work, Girls, Work in general or anything like that anymore. I lose sleep over what color I'm painting the car and what wheels I'm going to do. I love the cragars but I think chrome is starting to get played out. I think however the V40's would look even better with a dark graphite gloss finish and not the lite gray that they are. Nothing a little wheel paint can't fix!!!!!!!

tell ya i like the torque thrust wheels, they look nice' very sharp i had a 66 gto with rally one rims,, i replace them with the torque thrust d's .they brought out the tires nicely

They do look good I mean I can't argue there. However everyone has them now. I can see why, they do look good but I'de like something a bit different without giving up the classic look. I want something that's always going to be in style.

Cant go wrong with 18" Billet Raleys...

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/skeeter55/Picture276.jpg