17 inch wheel spacing requirements

[John K]

I'm considering buying 17 in Rally II's for my 80 TTA.  Any thoughts on the wheel back spacing and if you would recommend spacers?  I plan to run P275/40-17's.

Any rubbing issues with 17's on a stock suspension?

Thanks in advance

[Wallington]

Spacers for what? Just buy the correct size to start with. As an example, the YearOne 17x9 Snowflakes designed for these cars use a 5-1/8" backspace.

[John K]

Spacers for what? Just buy the correct size to start with. As an example, the YearOne 17x9 Snowflakes designed for these cars use a 5-1/8" backspace.

Thanks for the backspace info.  I have a 3rd Gen also, that required spacers for Firehawk wheels to prevent the end links for hitting the wheel, hence the question on spacers.  I see where on some 17 inch wheels the tires will rub on the sway bar when going from lock to lock.  Trying to avoid these types of issues from the beginning.  The wheels I want come in 5 in back spacing but not 5 1/8, which seems pretty close to being right on. 

Thanks for the info,

[Wallington]

It's also easy to add packing or adjust the stock steering stops to cater for larger tyres thar rub on sway bars.

[John K]

It's also easy to add packing or adjust the stock steering stops to cater for larger tyres thar rub on sway bars.

Thanks, like the idea of adjusting the stops if needed.

[Formula8]

I have the 17" YO honeycombs (5 1/8" backspacing) but also have 13" C4ZR1 rotors up front and 12"LS1 disc in the back so I am not sure if my track widths are comparable to yours.  I am also moderately lowered and run a pretty aggressive alignment (-1 camber and +7 caster).  That said, I run 275/40-17's up front with no spacer and a 285/40-17 in the back with a 1/2" spacer without issue.  My track width is likely wider than yours due to the brakes so your 275's should be zero problems at a stock ride height. 

FWIW, You may not be happy with the look of the 40 series tire in the wheel well at the stock ride height.  I certainly wasn't.  I ended up trimming my coil springs 3-4 times and going through an assortment of leaf spring lowering blocks.  My recommendation if you have not already invested in shocks and springs, seriously consider a coil over conversion for the front so you can adjust the ride height.

[Bill Boyle]

Okay, the 17" Snowflakes should work just fine.  I am thinking about stowing my OEM 15" Snowflakes and going to the larger rim to get a superior tire, perhaps V rated like my old 15" Goodyear Gatorbacks.  What tires are being run on the 17" rims.  Curious. 

[Formula8]

I run Continental Extreme Contact Sports. https://m.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+Sport&partnum=84WR7ECS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 They are very nice tires.  Only issue I have is I know a guy that runs the Nitto’s that are available in the same size, same car.  As the Nittos shoulders are much more squared off than the Continentals, they fill up the wheel well better.

[Wallington]

I have the Nitto 285/40. They look good but again, are only 26" tall. If I had to decide again I'd find a taller profile, front and back. The market has changed a lot to when I imported them 10-12 years ago. And they've yet to see the road. Project cars are awesome.

[Formula8]

I have the Nitto 285/40. They look good but again, are only 26" tall. If I had to decide again I'd find a taller profile, front and back. The market has changed a lot to when I imported them 10-12 years ago. And they've yet to see the road. Project cars are awesome.

Yeah, the 26" diameter was tough to work with as it looks lost in the wheel well of a stock height firebird in my view.  Unfortunately, without going to a 255/50, it is about the tallest you are going to find in a 17" performance tire.  The right combination of offset/spacer and lowering gets it to the point where I can live with the compromise but a 27" tire choice would make it a lot easier.

[John K]

Thanks for the comments.  I ordered 17X9, 5 in backspace Rally II wheels today.  The comments on tire size is good to have before I order tires.  My plan is to keep the standard ride height so a 255x50/17 may be better than the 26 in tall 275x40/17s. The only challenge I’ve seen with the 255 tire is limited choices.  Thoughts?

[Formula8]

Thanks for the comments.  I ordered 17X9, 5 in backspace Rally II wheels today.  The comments on tire size is good to have before I order tires.  My plan is to keep the standard ride height so a 255x50/17 may be better than the 26 in tall 275x40/17s. The only challenge I’ve seen with the 255 tire is limited choices.  Thoughts?

Outside of the 275/40-17, you are going to be limited in tire choice no matter what you do.  An 18" wheel would open up a ton of options but I preferred the styling of the Year One wheels.  I guess if you have committed to a 255/50-17, the Nitto Invo would be my first choice followed by the N-555 G2.

[Wallington]

Also, decide if you want the same size front and rear. When you get close to filling the fronts with 255's it gives a front heavy look, being wider track and the rears still tucked in for same size. But also depends on what sizes are available, options are limited if the size you want doesn't exist.

[scarebird]

I am running 235-55-17's on the Lemans; about as big as I can go without rubbing.  27" OD.

U109 Bandit 17 x 8

[nas t eh]

Nitto now makes a 275/50/17 N555 G2. I plan on the 255/50 up front and 275/50 rear. I have 255/45/17 and 285/40/17 now and I find them too short for my liking.

[Wallington]

Sounds interesting. Mine currently also has your same 255/285 combo and I like my sidewall too much, I also like RWL. Mine are now 13 years old, never seen the road, probably need a new set if it ever does. Not the best way to waste money, shipping giant tyres around the world when already not quite convinced they were the size you wanted!

[John K]

I’ve found BFG 255/45-17’s I’m leaning heavy towards.  I wish BFG made a 255/50 but they don’t.  I hear Nitto’s are good tires, but I’m stuck in my mind on GY’s or BFGs, but really want the height from the 255/50 (Nitto) vs 45 (BFG).  Decisions Decisions…….

Any comments, plus’s or minus’s from the mind hive are welcome.  Would really like to see some pics if ya got ‘em. Thanks all!

[5th T/A]

I have BFG's P225 70-15 on my car. Other than the look at am not really impressed. If you do research on the web a lot of people complain about lack of traction, rough ride like the tires are not round and lettering hard to keep white. I haven't compared other tires on the same car so I can't say for sure. But I experience what I think is poor traction and a less than smooth ride quality at high speed. I have had the tires balanced several times, no change. The traction issue could maybe be explained by my engine, 490 HP and 580 ft lbs. torque.

Others on this board seem to prefer other manufacturer tires.

[Jeremy]

I'm running Nitto 555 G2 on my  80 TA (275/40/17) and on my  71 Lemans (285/40/17).  Very pleased with the tires so far.  Very quiet, really nice ride and good traction.  They seem to run a little wider as well, at least to the Continentals that came off the TA.

My son's running them on his 79 Camaro in a 255/45/17.

No idea on how long they will last as all of them are in there first 6 months or less of use.

[Dierk]

Nitto now makes a 275/50/17 N555 G2. I plan on the 255/50 up front and 275/50 rear. I have 255/45/17 and 285/40/17 now and I find them too short for my liking.

Any chance you have done this? Would like to see pictures if you have. I have about decided on this combination but have not seen any. Thank ypu