Mr. McGuire

Ok, so I'm looking at getting a set of wheels and tire but want to know what sizes I should be looking at. The build is based around handling not drag racing and at the same time looks good. Autocross and pro tour is exactly what I'm looking for. I was thinking wide in the front and wider in the back with low profile tires, again just not sure what sizes. Pics of sizes for reference would greatly be appreciated

Base91

iTrader: (1)

17/9.5 275/40. Many choices. Some adapters some don't.

paul_huryk

You definitely need to move up to a 275 tire all around - 275-40-17 is a great size as the cost and weight is lower than the 275-35-18 sized guys.

But keep in mind that not all 17" x 9.5" wheels are the same - some offer low weight, others do not; some have barely enough clearance for 13" brakes, others will swallow up 14" kits; and of course the price - some expensive 3pc forged wheels run over $1,000 per wheel.

Mr. McGuire

I was thinking of going 18 inches, I looked into 19s but they seemed too big. Any particular brand tires like Nitto, hankook, Goodyear?

cosmick

I've been researching adapting Corvette 18x10.5s and the low cost ($80 each plus spacers) is as appealing as the fit and the width. Yes, they can tuck under the fenders, even with 285/35s. There are pics here somewhere. I found some questionable but new Nankang 275/35s for $105 each, further tempting me
I got a great deal locally on some barely used 275/40R17 Kumho ASX tires, so I'm saving up for a cheap set of new steel 17x9s that don't require any adapters / spacers, but I may skip them and sell these tires to go 10.5" wide
And these wheels are supposed to be wide enough for some 315/30s, but I'm not sure I'd run those, especially up front. But I'd be lying if I said I don't like the idea of test-fitting that, no "Supercar" ever came with 315s on the front.

paul_huryk

That is probably because supercars are typically mid or rear engine and don't need that much tire up front.

But if you were to stock a 315 or 335 all around on a 3rd gen (most probably a widebody), you would make a mockery of those "supercars" in the handling department.

paul_huryk

That is probably because supercars are typically mid or rear engine and don't need that much tire up front.

But if you were to stock a 315 or 335 all around on a 3rd gen (most probably a widebody), you would make a mockery of those "supercars" in the handling department.

cosmick

You must be aware that Huryk is trying to sell his way-overpriced wheels. And he will say how they're forged, or so I assume, but that's no advantage over cast unless you drift into a curb fairly hard. Also, it seems he's looking to sell a few sets at a high profit, rather than selling many sets at a low profit. What's more, 17s are great for the rear, but since cast 17x11s are only $ 120 each, new, what's needed is something slightly wider, so we can use Toyo's 345/40R17 drag radials, which Toyo says to not try to force onto an 11" wheel. And 335/35R17s can go on 11" wheels, but the few remaining choices would do better on wider wheels, since tires perform best on wheels the same width as the tread. So a 275/40 really wants a 17x10", even if it must stick out 1/2". Besides, that added track width can help stability, if you're mindful of the effect on spring rate. Putting a 315/30 on a 10.5" is within spec for the street versions, drag radials in that size call for 11" wheels, but no way a 335/30 is going on a 10.5" wheel. Nor is there any guarantee that a 315 on a 10.5 on the front is any worthwhile advantage for anything but looks, even if it will tuck without rubbing the struts. And no way will it tuck with coilovers, which could prove slightly more advantageous. Combining would call for going widebody, and might be worth it. But forget trying a 315/35 on a 17x9.5, and forget 14" rotors with 6-piston calipers inside 17" wheels. 315s may be necessary for that much braking power, who knows? I'm not against Huryk making wheels. But the things he posts, thread after thread, just to sell his one offering, well, that sickens me.

paul_huryk

Let me set the record straight here, so everyone knows where I'm coming from.

I find it amusing that you think my wheels are overpriced, when in fact they are within $10 a wheel to the 17" x 9" versions that fit BMWs that are produced in much greater volume. Not to mention the cost of a set of 4 forging dies that I had to eat up front to get the wheels made, the special boxes, and shipping.

Consider this - if cast wheels are $125 each and you need spacers, it is more like $700 for mass produced stuff - a lot are produced in China at facilities that go for max volume, not quality. Most of those wheels are not DOT standards tested. Not to mention a hefty weight difference between a cast wheel with spacers vs. ours in the same size.

335 is bit too wide for an 11" wheel, it needs a 12" wheel to fit the 13" section width, although it won't be necessarily "unsafe". Won't fit without a minitub or widebody on a stock 3rd gen anyway.

There is an advantage of putting a 315 on the front of a 3rd gen - 40mm more rubber under the heavy end of the car. Considering how well moving up to a 275 on the front (30mm more to a 245) helps handling and braking, a 315 should be another step up. All the 4th gen guys running 315s up front get a huge advantage in handling. Sure it might be a different front clip, but they are still a front heavy RWD platform not so different than ours.

Honestly, a very minimal bunch of 3rd gens would ever need a 14" 6 piston system as the cars are light enough and typically not fast enough to need much more than a 4 piston 13" kit, but people still go for them. And yes, they fit under certain 17" wheels (these pics are not even mine):




Cosmick, sorry to sicken you, but we do sell other items than our wheels: we are a Magnaflow power dealer, sell the BMW version of the same wheel style as ours, Griot's Garage retailer (the only one in NJ), we do detailing on "normal" cars for local customers, we have a 2nd gen version of our wheels soon to hit the market, and we also have engineered a SLP-like CAI system for the 3rd gen TPI cars (upcoming if things work out supplier-wise).

While I've been on this board since the ancient days, I have not had the administrators ever up my butt about aggressively pursuing sales (a little on the passive side), even though I'm not a paid advertiser (yet).

FYI - I post on most of the sections on TGO, not just this one...

GenX'Motorsport

WOW. Issues??? Since when is it a bad thing to be an entrepreneur? Since when is it a bad thing to make a honest profit selling a good, quality, American made product? Its not! The only thing Paul is guilty of is helping the Thirdgen community, Bringing attention to it. Producing things that larger companies have since abandoned for 3rdGens. Everything he has to done, has been very good for all Thirdgen enthusiasts. His company and products have been in several magazines, and ad's. Again, only helping our cars get more of the attention they deserve. And giving us back some of the aftermarket we once had with his products. Hopefully his hard work and dedication will bring other companies to start producing and RR'ing more goodies for these Awesome cars. So what makes you sick? An American who loves Thirdgens, creates sells and markets parts for an overlooked segment of the muscle car community? Or the fact that he is a success? I for one wish we had more guys like him. That are able to put in the work that he has for these cars. Anyways I dont get youre beef? IMHO its invalid! And IMO you have proven yourself to be extremely Ignorant in youre post.
BTW, CTW Motorsport Wheels are great. Perfect size for Thirdgens, Under 20 Pd's each, Look great. Alot of AutoX and Road course guys have improved there times with these wheels. And there helping these racers take down the Mustangs and 4ThGens too. OK, Im done. I gave you too much attention. I was told not to feed the Trolls here on TGO.
Later...