Anyone have a good suggestion for 18 inch rear y2k vette wheels that will perform OK on the strip but pass inspection? Its a weekend cruiser that I might try to see what I can run for curiosity sake. It needs tires now, so I was thinking something that will pass inspection but hook up the best it can.

Thanks!

Meant to post this in the tires and wheels section.. Sorry about that.

 

Nitto Drag Radial

305 35 ZR18
305 45 ZR18


MT Et Street

305 35 R18
305 45 R18
315 30 R18
345 35 R18

however I CANNOT SAY IF THESE WILL FIT WITHOUT SOME SURGERY TO THE REAR WHEEL WELLS

305mm = 12" wide 35 % SIDEWALL HEIGHT = 4.2"

SO THIS TIRE IN INCHES IS; 18 + 4.2 +4.2 = 26.4 TALL (same as oem 3rd gen) but IT'S 12" WIDE. the OEM tire was 245MM or 9.65"

You may have to remove the bump stops, cut off the bump stop mounting bolts, dissect the lower fronts of the wheel house. etc.. it depends on the wheel width and backspacing.

I had to do this just to mount 28x10.5-15 slicks on 15X8 wheels with 5 1/2 backspacing.

 

is there a size smaller that would work better?

 

ummmmm yes. the OEM Size...

Either brand I mentioned makes sizes that will work without modifying the wheel wells.

Assuming you have the 16" wheels:

MT ET street radial has a 255 50 R16 (10 mm wider than stock)

Nitto NT555R drag radial has exact match to OEM size 245 50 R16

I used the Nitto for 14 years... very happy with them on the street.

but any drag radial has a shorter tread life... (softer compound) so if you do a lot of driving expect to replace them every 15-20K miles or more depending on how you drive.

 

Check to see if there is a 275-40-18 or 275-35-18 drag radial on the market -those will fit on 9.5" wide wheels with the right BS pretty easily.

 

Found that they do make all three, Nitto, BFG and MT in smaller sizes. I'm going to go this route since it doesn't involve hacking up my car. Thanks for the help guys!