what rims for drag tires

[agetnt9]

Got a 72 GS 455-4bll 4 speed m21 close with 3.55 12 bolt. :3gears:
Would the back space be good at 5" or 5.5" on a 15" rim with say a 275-55-15 ? i would like to no what will fit up the quarter and not touch the frame with out try and try again if ya know what i mean. thanx to this site i have learned so much. and what type of rim will hold up to what i will put it through. thanx in advance.

[BillA]

5" b/s would be good on an 8" rim but a 275 tire would be pushing it on an 8" rim. I'd go 5.5" b/s on a 9" rim with a 275 tire.

[LARRY70GS]

I have P275/60R-15 Mickey Thompson Drag Radials on a 15 X 8" Rallye wheel with 4 1/2" backspacing and it fits just fine. That backspacing is fine on the 70-72 cars, you need more on the earlier years. Phil Sedlon has used a 325/50R-15 tire on a 10" rim and it has 5 5/8" backspacing. It just fit with some wheel well lip removal.

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=34990

[agetnt9]

That was a good thread !! So,, the rim is 9" X15" x 5.25 bs..... the tire could be no bigger than 295-60-15 :Do No: or some sort of a 50 or 55 size.

[kick71]

295-60-15 is a BIG tire 30" about, so your 3.55 rear gear will be nocked way down. Like Larry said 275/60/15 on a 15x8 Rim with 4.5 backspace center's the wheel nicely in the well and fills it too. I tried a 295/60/15 but was too much tire for me. I run 3.73 rear gear.

[agetnt9]

To much tire being to tall or just to big wide?

[kick71]

too tall for my 3.73 gear and I thought it looked too "balloon" like on my car but that is just my taste. It would also rub in the well on bigger bumps and I have all new tubular front and rear suspension in my car.:Do No:

[agetnt9]

Ok, i am going to look for a used 275-60-15 that will hold air to put on and see :grin: thanx guys

[No Lift]

Check these bad boys out. I just picked up some new M/T drag radials, 295-55-15. 27.8" tall, 10.9" tread width. They are about as tall as I want with 3.42's. 27" tall like my previous set of 255-60-15's would have been great but I'll take the extra traction.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MTT-3755R/

I found these when I was searching. They were new this Spring and are meant to be a wider version of the 275-60-15. On my '76 they fit with plenty of room. I have them for testing on a set of old 8.5" Centerlines with 4.75" BS. They fit the rims ok but I have ordered a custom set of Rally 15x10 with 5.5" BS for maximum footprint.

As far as wheels go get yourself a set of Centerlines or other good brand of their racing wheels. You can't believe how light they are compared to the steel wheels and also normal aluminum wheels. I wanted the Buick look so I'll put up with the weight penalty.

[Gold71GS]

Hoosier 295/60-15 29" tall.:laugh:

[agetnt9]

They are out a little to far. Whatcha got there for back space, my man

[Gold71GS]

5.5" , no more room on inside. 10" rim.