is anyone runing 17 or 18 inch rims on their skylarks? i would like to get the biggest tire possible front and rear. i read an article in car craft magazine stating that in GM A-body cars it was possible to stuff a 17x11 inch rim with 315/35r17 tires in the rear and 17x9.5 inch with 275/40r17 in front. has anyone done this or have something similar? i was thinking of 275's on 17x9.5 rims for all four corners. if i did this do you think it would be the same backspacing for all four? also has anyone done a 13' disc swap? if so what brand/type? i was thinking of the baer kit. likes/dislikes? alex
WOW, I'd like to see that. I run a 245/60R15 on the front and it seems pretty tight. As for that 315/35R17, what are the dimensions of the tire: ie diameter, section width and tread width? I have a 325/50R15 under my car on a 15x10 with 5-5/8" backspacing. Tire is 28" tall with a 12.9" section width and it's TIGHT. Good luck.
I am currently running 17" x 8" on all 4s and I think there is room for 17" x 9.5" on all 4's no problem. I am running a 4 3/4" backspacing right now and I think a 5 1/2" backspacing would be about right. I am still trying to figure out the backspacing. I am thinking of going to 17" x 9.5" on the front and 18" x 10" in the back. I wanted to do a 17" x 10" on the back but I cannot find a place that does 9.5 and 10 in the same wheel without changing diameters. I am currently running 245/45/17's and they are straight up from the rim. You could go fatter on them and be ok. I am not sure you can stuff a 315 under the wheel. I did talk to a guy at power tour with a 1970 Chevelle that had 17" x 11" wheels on the back but he said he had to flair the fenders and roll the fenderwell edge to get it to work. It was very subtle but still needed to be done. I also checked and he have very little clearance near the frame. It was extremely tight. I don't think it can be done in a stock installation. Especially if you are lowering the car at all. I am currnetly running 13" front disc brakes on my GSX. I bought the Wilwood 4 pistion brake system. It was cheaper then the Baer setup. I wanted Baer but they were around $2500 and I think the Wilwood setup was $1600. I bought mine though Global West when I bought their front suspension parts. I am very pleased with my brakes and would recommend them to purchase. The cars stops a ton better then it did with stock brakes on it. I have not done a 60 to 0 stop yet but I have autocrossed them and never had a fade problem. the workded very well. Hope that helps. Mark
You should also check out chevelletech.com (I think). There are a lot more Chevelle guys doing these mods then Buick guys. Mostly because there are a lot more Chevelles then GS period. Mark
I have 245/45R17 in the front and 275/40R17 in the rear. Fits without a hitch although I had to order custom rims with specific backspacing. I have seen several cars with 315/35R17 tires. It is tight and as I recall there was no modifications. Just a tight fit!
I'm running 275 / 40's on my 17X9.5 wheels on the back. With the 275 out back, there is about 3/4 of an inch on each side.... 315's should fit no problems...... infact that's what I'm stepping up to next.
On my 1971 Stage 1 convertible I am running 18x9 fronts with 255x40-18 and 18x10.5 rears with 295x35-18. All are Michelin Pilot Sports. Fronts are 4.5 BS and Rears are 5.5 BS. I could go 18x11.5 rears with 6" backspacing without problems. I have a Currie 9" that I believe measures 62" hub to hub. I was considering 295x45-18 or 315x40-18 for the larger diameter, but with full 3" exhaust I was concerned with contact on the tail pipes. The ride is a little harsh with so little sidewall, but it is liveable. Mickey
Hey larknut what year is your car,also is going street or strip?I got a friend who has a set of twenties on his 68 chevelle it's track worthy but you can catch him doing the street thing...His rim set up is a 20x8.5 in frnt with 4.5 bksp/ 20x10 with 6.0 bksp.He use 26x11.5-15 quick time pro for drag use..
my car is a '72 and i will have the occational romp at the track. i would also like to try it out on the road course after i swap in a 5 speed. i love the "big brakes, big wheels" look and to do this with a skylark is, at least in my neck of the woods, is un heard of.
Larknut, Feel free to email me part numbers and specs when you get the disk brake and wheel/tire issues sorted out. I know 18s fit (not sure if this guy mod'd his ride). I like the effect. http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/detailbig.cfm/Autos__ID/67655
68/9 cars Anyone know what the biggest 17" tires are that I can fit under the rear end of my 69 skylark? My 68 has 17x8 with 4.5" Backspace. The rears are 255/45R 17, fronts are 245/45R 17. I know I can fit 275x40R 17, but they dont have enough sidewall and look goofy in the wheelwells. I was thinking maybe 315x35, or maybe 315/40. Anyone tried it???
Hey larknut I have had on my 70' a set of 20's the rim sizes were 20x8 frnt/20x10 rear the backspace was 4.5 frnt/by 6.0 rear I took them off a friends 68' chevelle amn were they sweet.I also know of a guy who has a set of 22's on his 69'lark he had to install big block coils for the front but they won't hug the road on those quick turns...(STOP your honkin' I need both lanes)
Rich, What backspacing and wheel/tire size on front and rear? I'm looking at stepping up to 17s and yours is the only car I've seen in person with the setup. Gimme all the details and you can save me a BUNCH of research. I'm running stock disc/drum brakes with the GW front uppers and B-body spindles. Also, what's a good source for a variety of wheels? I'm actually considering Cragar SS in 17" if I can get the bolt pattern and backspacing that's correct. Thanks.:beer
Rich, I bought the 17" Cragar SS from Jegs, 17x8 on 4.5" bs for $209 ea, no shipping. I got my tires from Tirerack.com
Gary. I'm running the same deal with the 17's. I have 17x9.5 with 5 3/4" backspacing and it's perfectly centered in the rear wheelwell. The front's are 17x8 with 4 3/4" backspacing.
Hey Gary, It's been a while :grin: Rob pretty much hit it spot on....... 5 3/4 (9.5 inch wheel) on the rears and 4 3/4 on the fronts (8 inch wide wheel). You planing on having this setup for Vegas???????
Weeellll... not sure yet. I should be getting the OD from Art Carr (California Perf. Transmissions - where Art Carr actually works) late this week or more probably next week. I have to break in a new 12-bolt so won't be seeing 4th gear for awhile. Then I'll decide after running it through the twisties whether I GOTTA HAVE the 17s now or if I can wait a year. Do the bigger wheel/tire combo contribute much to handling? The car handles real well as it is now. As for Vegas, for now I'll be keeping the stock brakes and will probably swap over to the 15" stuff for race day. I know you like to run at the track same as on the street Rich but I want Hoosier QT Pros this time and they don't come in 17s. I've never been overly impressed with BFG DRs. I know others have had good 60' with them but my best has been 1.85. I'd like to see a 1.6 or so. Just to be absolultely sure.... you guys didn't have to do ANY fender well modifications for this size tire/wheel combo, right? I've seen posts where guys wait until 2 weeks after showing off their new wheels to say, "Oh yeah, I had to trim this or bend that or remove the wheel trim..." Can't have any of that on my car. I'm sure this isn't the case here but gotta be sure. And if you're driving the car to Vegas this year Rich you could take the long way and we could meet in Ely for a caravan. Much more fun on the two lane (US93) than I-15. I'm thinking of driving. Would still need the burb for tools, wheels, etc. and probably have a buddy with a car trailer and his GS for security. Thanks for the info guys.
Hey Gary, No rubbing at all on my car and they quarters and fenders haven't been roled or anything..... You shouldn't have a problem. As for driving to Vegas, chances are the GS will ride down in it's nice new cozy enclosed trailer........ I feel alot better if the car is locked up at night out of harms way (especally as easy as the charger is to get off). The 17's do help in the corners, since there is less side wall to give........ you will notice some improvment over the 15 inch setup. Get that OD setup and the rear broke in...... and start enjoying that orange car again........ Let me know when and if your hitting the wendover drag stip, I'd like to make it out there at least once this year.
