I would like to get a 275 tire on my 67 so that I don't have to lower the car to fill up the wheel well gap. I was looking at 18's and wondered,,,Why not 20's?
I'm not a big fan of the "wide open" spoke styles that have alot of space between the spokes that, no matter how big a disc brake you get still look like you can see through them to whatever car is parked next to you.

So I was looking at 275/35/20 vs 275/40/18

My considerations are:
1) I don't want to lower the car 3 or 4 inches to get the car to sit down over the tires (like with a 245 or 225 tire).
2) The tire has to be a performance tire (Y speed rating).
3) therer are some nasty Makevelli rims. Their "Casino" wheel is bad *** (if you go to their site it is in the Gallary section on a new 'Benz).
4) Also I am one of those guys that is always looking for that ultimate new item,,,so sometimes I torture myself searching for new combo's.

Yes it can be done, but IMHO anything over 18s do not look right on a first gen. You will also lose cornering, acceleration and braking perfomance due to the added mass. Also, the taller tire will raise the whole car higher off of the ground. That raises the center of gravity which lessens cornering perfomance.

You posted about the Guldstand mod in the suspension forum so I am assuming you are looking for better handling. If so then you need to lower the car not raise it. You will need as little rotating mass on the tires not more. The 20s will be counter productive to what it looks like you are trying to do. However, it is your car so if that is the look you are going for than I say do it.

Brian

Yes it can be done, but IMHO anything over 18s do not look right on a first gen. You will also lose cornering, acceleration and braking perfomance due to the added mass. Also, the taller tire will raise the whole car higher off of the ground. That raises the center of gravity which lessens cornering perfomance.

You posted about the Guldstand mod in the suspension forum so I am assuming you are looking for better handling. If so then you need to lower the car not raise it. You will need as little rotating mass on the tires not more. The 20s will be counter productive to what it looks like you are trying to do. However, it is your car so if that is the look you are going for than I say do it.

Brian

My thoughts exactly.

In addition, the wheels will be more susceptible to damage from potholes etc. due to the short sidewall of the tire.

Granted the 20's won't handle as well as the 18's they look SOOOOOO good on a Gen I. If you want a track car 20's are useless but they can't be beat for the show stopper.

Oh and no worries with a 275/35/20 when it comes to rim damage and so forth, there is plenty of tire there. I have them on the front of my heavy truck and they work great.

Or compromise and get 19's :clonk:

I run 18" Budniks. They're cool but 19's I think would nice. Oh well, mine was done in '98 so, back the it was cutting edge. 20's, might be a bit much IMHO. Again, just an opinion!

Cris

No way, 20's are where it's at.

This one has 19's and 22's
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/bigpurp/camaro2.jpg

Doesn't look right to me. Save the "dubs" for the tuners.

sorry, but I cannot bite my lip here. That looks very stupid.

Brian

2 years from now it will look even more crazy than it does now. I like the use of larger rims but they have to be sized to the car. Say 20's on the back of an Impala but those 22's are bordering on plain funny looking. I know I am in the minority in that thinking. Great craftsmanship on the car but sorry it does look funny looking.

I don't want to take this tread more off topic and I usually stay away from these types of discusions but...... As far as the black '69 goes I think that everybody's point is well taken on the performance aspect and practicallity aspect of the 19s and 22s as well as maybe being way over the top with the "look" . I think that combo was picked because it absolutely demands your attention whether you love it - hate it - or you're somewhere in between. The car speaks for itself but there is so many high end '69s out there right now - you almost have to do something "shocking" to be noticed by the masses. After all the car was a top 5 SMOY finalist. With that said if performance is the goal I agree 18s are the way to go - If the "look" is what your after 18s and 20s or 19s and 20s will still get everyone's attention and still be drivable if measured and fitted correctly. The choise is yours - hope you are happy with whatever you choose.

I don't want to take this tread more off topic and I usually stay away from these types of discusions but...... As far as the black '69 goes I think that everybody's point is well taken on the performance aspect and practicallity aspect of the 19s and 22s as well as maybe being way over the top with the "look" . I think that combo was picked because it absolutely demands your attention whether you love it - hate it - or you're somewhere in between. The car speaks for itself but there is so many high end '69s out there right now - you almost have to do something "shocking" to be noticed by the masses. After all the car was a top 5 SMOY finalist. With that said if performance is the goal I agree 18s are the way to go - If the "look" is what your after 18s and 20s or 19s and 20s will still get everyone's attention and still be drivable if measured and fitted correctly. The choise is yours - hope you are happy with whatever you choose.
My thoughts exactly.

Mike

Sure, those wheels get your attention, but what really pops out at me is the seats and a lack of headrests. That screams street rod to me... not muscle car. JMHO. To each their own - and I'd still go for a ride in it if offered. :D

That 69 is sick,,,But how can that not rub with it being so far down over the tires.

My thinking was that a 67 or 68 with the bigger wheel wells may be more reasonable looking. My car will be mostly a cruiser (thus, cannot be too low),,,see an occasional show (that is the 20" angle),,but I will romp from time to time (so it has to be fairly well behaved in a corner or stopping).

But looks are at least 60% of my consideartioon on this project,,,,One of those World 427 small blocks should take care of the other 40%.

You guys are awesome,,,This site is the killer !!!

That 69 is sick,,,But how can that not rub with it being so far down over the tires.

It's bagged.

It's bagged.

How about a few grand in metal work as well to keep it from the wheel wells. I guess I am more a function over form type of guy.

Brian

ok i cant hold my tongue any longer

THAT 69 LOOKS RETARDED!!!

i think maybe i was being too nice

Looks like one of my kids hot wheels cars.

How about a few grand in metal work as well to keep it from the wheel wells.

Yep, definitely. Looks like a lot of fabrication had to happen to get them that far up in the wheel house.

NOT my cup of tea; it's all about shock value with this one. As you said, form over function... although I can appreciate the workmanship.

That's the point - appreciate the car for what it is - just because it's not your own taste does not take away from that it's a top 5 SMOY pick at a 6000+ event. After all it's still someone's car and that's the onlly person that has to like it. When Troy built Sick Fish for Joe Rogan I believe he said there was over 300 hours of metal work to get "the stance". Most of us feel the money is better spent on "function" than "form" (myself included) but not all of us. Isn't that what makes the world go round? These type cars are about making a statement - I don't think there is really much concern for performance numbers.

Looks like one of my kids hot wheels cars.


i was going to say something, other than the kids part, like that but thought no one would understand it

No way, 20's are where it's at.

This one has 19's and 22's
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/bigpurp/camaro2.jpg

looks stupid....:sad: Just don't put them big rims on muscle cars.

I saw this car today at Good Guys Charlotte. Aside from the wheels this car is a piece of art. Totally custom with what appeared to be a '57 Chevy dash, very nice if you like the approach. The rear tires were actually touching the lip in a couple of spots. I overheard the owner say it would come up about 2".


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/bigpurp/camaro2.jpg

I just don't like it! All the pro touring guys can disagree all they want... I don't like it.
To me, the White wonder is about at the limit of taste as far as how deep the rims should be burried in a firstgen's fenders!

Jim, I agree the wheels are way much, after that it's a really nice car. Maybe the guy will tune in here and pick up on some of our opinions. But then again he probably could care less. One thing is for sure, he had a crowd of onlookers.

OK??

What's "bagged" mean??

Mini-tubbed??

As for wheels, imho, about my limit is 17's with 50's or skinnier 55's on it! That is IF you can buy "big-n-littles" in these section widths?? 225's and 275's sorta sizes...

Something about my perception of how much sidewall needs to be seen vs how much tire, (i.e., "donut", if you will), fills the wheel well opening sorta deal is all..

pdq67

"Bagged" == Oh never mind,,,,,,, air-bag suspension, I assume??

You got it. Air bag suspension. I'd guess there was more but it looked like about an inch of tire sidewall.

I just don't like it! All the pro touring guys can disagree all they want... I don't like it.
To me, the White wonder is about at the limit of taste as far as how deep the rims should be burried in a firstgen's fenders!

Thanks for the complement Jim. :) IMO pro-touring is more about "functional style" and most into PT would agree with you. I think in the show world, I'm talking indoor glitz and glamor shows, it's ok to push the extremes, look at some of the stuff Barris did way back when. Look at the psycho '70s and '80s show cars with flaired fenders and wild blow dot and 200 color paint jobs. All very extreme but acceptable on the show arena. It spilled over to the street though, anyone old enough to remember making stripe templets out of lace and spraying stripes through the lace? Anyone remember seeing fender flairs on Camaros and Mustangs when cruising and wanting them for your car? Well that's what is going on with big wheels. Look at modern street rodding, big wheels in the rear and smaller in the front is big time right now. It's carrying over to street rides and not everyone has good taste when doing it.

The car in question may have gotten high praise on a show circuit for following the lead of the hotrodders but it also had to have more than just big wheels to do it. Mind you it's not very functional but is a cool hotrod and show piece. It's look is more pro-street than pro-touring, it really isn't going to be a car you would drag race or drive in the country on Sunday. You can putt it over to the local cruise in or car show and you could load it on a trailer and follow the circuit from show to show.

For the guy that started this thread, what ever floats your boat but before you spend big $$ on 22s for your Camaro think about how you plan to use it. Are you planning on racing it? Drag strip or open track? Just putting around town? Long drives in the country enjoying the open road? Or just a full blown show queen? Figure that out before hand and then get wheels and tires that suit your cars needs.

Anyone remember seeing fender flairs on Camaros and Mustangs when cruising and wanting them for your car?

Hmmm, yes, I remeber those days.... Camaro#1, 1982 or so...
http://home.comcast.net/~Jimragtop/back.jpg

IMHO once you get past 17s you tend to draw attention away from the lines of the car and puts your focus on the wheels. A lot of times people put 20s on a new car because the new cars lack the style of the old muscle cars. They get the wow did you see them rims, instead of wow did you see that car.

In the 69 above the guy obviously put a huge amount of work into the car, but because the wheels are so friggen big you don't notice. I would rather see wheels that compliment the classic lines of the 69, instead of draw attention to the wheels alone.

Then again, what do I know. :-)

Hmmm, yes, I remeber those days.... Camaro#1, 1982 or so...
http://home.comcast.net/~Jimragtop/back.jpg

That's funny!! Fender Flares, LOL! Just the other day, looked up and saw a pair hanging in the rafters.

are those mud flaps?

are those mud flaps???

My car has the little triangle SS mud flaps on it and it seems like every time I go under the rear I come out AND my head hits the sharp SOB'S!!

pdq67

are those mud flaps???

Those are indeed mudflaps...and after counting a dozen rock chips within a month in the low body, in the new paint on my 68, she wearing a full set too now!!

And I gotta say I still like the look of those L60's on deep dish Cragars tucked under the flares!

Great pic Jim, L-60's and deep dish wheels were then what 17's and 275/40's are today. Fender flairs then and mini tubs now. Things arn't as different as they seem, are they?

Jim- that pic is totally cool. Old scholl all the way! I remember waking to school and away passing this '75 Trans Am with huge by huge tires and the airshocks in the back with the springs. Had the flares too. Laughable now but when you're in 5th grade any thing diffrent from the norm was cool.

Cris

guess it's just a matter of what was "in" then and what's "in" now... I think that car was my first true love, or maybe second, note the young lady in the car...here's all that is left (other than the memories, plenty of those...):
http://home.comcast.net/~Jimragtop/camaro_1.htm

guess it's just a matter of what was "in" then and what's "in" now... I think that car was my first true love, or maybe second, note the young lady in the car...here's all that is left (other than the memories, plenty of those...):
http://home.comcast.net/~Jimragtop/camaro_1.htm

Dang, how wide are those tires???

I just don't like it! All the pro touring guys can disagree all they want... I don't like it.
To me, the White wonder is about at the limit of taste as far as how deep the rims should be burried in a firstgen's fenders!

Sorry for the late post on this, but I have been away from the computer for a while.

Jim that is the problem with PT. That is the style that people think it is. That is about as far away as PT as you can get. PT cars are to be made to handle. The only thing that handles is the push on and off of the trailer.

Brian

Dudes,,,I started this and have learned many things:

1) There is mucho passion to keep the virture of the Camaro as virginal as possible,

2) Pro Touring,,,,they didnt exist back in 1983 (Pro street was though)

3) The "White Wonder" rocks. I was doing very well to get 225/50/15 BFG T/A's on the front of my 69 back in 1983.

I applaude the keepers of the faith and I am by no means considering anything even close to that black one. But you have to realize that it was probably on 5 or 6 years ago that guys were saying "18's are fom the Devil",,,"If God wanted us to have wheels larger than 15" he would have put it in the book of Revelations".

So my research so far has led me to a wheel and tire combo 255/30/20 on a cool a** wheel similar to
http://www.makaveliwheels.com/gallery/ga01.html
on a nasty wheel that hopefully will:

1) Fill up the big wheel wells on the my new baby.
2) Make it so I don't have to lower the car harly at all.
3) Make the car just a little "extra special",,like no other around.

Now shane on me if she ends up looking like an East 14th St hooker. My mission will have failed. And I think I will stay away from the super exotic world of "air bags",,,"Fat man" sub frames in order to keep her pure,,,for the most part.

We will see,,,of course I am still at probably a year away from wheels,,,,There is much scraping and painting to be done yet.

I doubt this will be my last forum. Thanks Brothers.....

Actually the wheel I like is the "Casino" wheel

http://www.makaveliwheels.com/gallery/cf500bf/cf500bf.html

As for the black 69 on 22's he has won alot of shows with that car. He sold it in Charlotte for around a hundred grand. He doesnt seem stupid to me to pull that kind of cash. the car raises up when he drives it and has a 502 big block in it. The car up close is crazy. He also built a red one on 20's that won this years Year One cup.

Calicraig, your thinking on not having to lower the car is wrong. By using a tire with a small sidewall, all you are doing is exchanging tire sidewall for extra rim size. You are still running a 25-26"-ish inch tire diameter whether it is a 245/50-16 or a 255/30-20. If you run a higher percentage sidewall, you will fill the wheel well up better, but also increase the ride height of the vehicle. TO ever make 20's look right on a first gen, you will have to lower it.

Mike

i guess this board has alot of old timers, that like the car looking stock no changes? but for all of us that like aperance mods as much as engine mods the car on 22's looks sick! how many 69s on 22 maybe a hand full, because there not practical so all those stupid comments about 22 wheels are pointless its a show car! heres a pic of a driver with 20s. we should really do a poll to see how many old timmers we have here? alot!
http://groups.msn.com/camarofolder/shoebox.msnw

This arguement will never end. lol

Me two pennies...

I personnally like the 18 and 20 set up. (and that is what i'm thinking of going with) The only thing making me hesitate is the possibility of scrapping the wheels with not enough sidewall....Otherwise its gonna be 20 x 13 with 355-25's.

The interesting point i think is missed by the majority here is to ask the real question: How many of you said 'REAL' Pro Tourers are racing on a professionnal level? Any racing for that matter...Or do you even do so much Street racing (highway i'd guess) that the last ounce of handling is that important to get? How often do you come up on the road and encounter someone willing to race with you? If your lucky, the owner of that new Z-06 will be about 60 years old (no offense intended here!) and will be just finished waxing his car and going for a coffee at the local donut shop...No combat here...
Can the majority of you even tell the difference in handling at that point? (tire size difference, ride height effect, coil over setting etc...)

I'm not saying we're all idiots....Just that its probably not AS important as we're all making it sound....My car will be built to enjoy and to my pleasure and liking and i think it the way it should be done.

JM2¢

Lead

By the way...Could not resist, 22" is way too much and the 2 big difference between 19 and 22 is the problem. :-)