Increase rim size
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Increase rim size
I was just getting ready to order new speedo gears because I changed my rear end to 3.73. Then I realized because I have future plans to get rims, should I determine that size now and buy my speedo gears accordingly? I have R15 tires right now.
Am I crazy to keep this size? 15's are good price though
Be cool to hear what other 3rd gen owners think. Thanks!
Am I crazy to keep this size? 15's are good price though
Be cool to hear what other 3rd gen owners think. Thanks!
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,482
Likes: 9
From: Northern, CA
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: Increase rim size
Its the overall tire diameter that has a effect on your speedometer not your wheel size.
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; Apr 23, 2013 at 10:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 15
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Re: Increase rim size
Hello, thanks for the reply!
Yes, I understand that. I was thinking that if there was a rim size that a lot of people would increase to, I would find that out....then I would figure out the tire size I would run on those rims.
Yes, I understand that. I was thinking that if there was a rim size that a lot of people would increase to, I would find that out....then I would figure out the tire size I would run on those rims.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 10
From: Ahead of you...
Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: Increase rim size
14", 15" and 16" all came on the 3rd gens from the factory. 14" is totally useless, 16" tires are quickly becoming something scarce - 245-50-16 summer street tires you can count on 3 fingers now...
17" (and 18" for the smooth road people) is the way to go to get great performance, cost, and looks. Since you can fit a 275 width tire on all 4 corners with the right BS 9.5" wheel, that is an excellent route - 245 width tire is the same as the OEM 245-50-16 size.
So a great size for an upgrade would be a 275-40-17 tire on a 17" x 9.5" wheel or a 275-35-18 tire on a 18" x 9.5" wheel - if your roads can hadle the lower profile tires.
15" while readily available and relatively cheap is not going to give you the handling or braking of a 16" or larger wheel and tire combo.
17" (and 18" for the smooth road people) is the way to go to get great performance, cost, and looks. Since you can fit a 275 width tire on all 4 corners with the right BS 9.5" wheel, that is an excellent route - 245 width tire is the same as the OEM 245-50-16 size.
So a great size for an upgrade would be a 275-40-17 tire on a 17" x 9.5" wheel or a 275-35-18 tire on a 18" x 9.5" wheel - if your roads can hadle the lower profile tires.
15" while readily available and relatively cheap is not going to give you the handling or braking of a 16" or larger wheel and tire combo.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Re: Increase rim size
14", 15" and 16" all came on the 3rd gens from the factory. 14" is totally useless, 16" tires are quickly becoming something scarce - 245-50-16 summer street tires you can count on 3 fingers now...
17" (and 18" for the smooth road people) is the way to go to get great performance, cost, and looks. Since you can fit a 275 width tire on all 4 corners with the right BS 9.5" wheel, that is an excellent route - 245 width tire is the same as the OEM 245-50-16 size.
So a great size for an upgrade would be a 275-40-17 tire on a 17" x 9.5" wheel or a 275-35-18 tire on a 18" x 9.5" wheel - if your roads can hadle the lower profile tires.
15" while readily available and relatively cheap is not going to give you the handling or braking of a 16" or larger wheel and tire combo.
17" (and 18" for the smooth road people) is the way to go to get great performance, cost, and looks. Since you can fit a 275 width tire on all 4 corners with the right BS 9.5" wheel, that is an excellent route - 245 width tire is the same as the OEM 245-50-16 size.
So a great size for an upgrade would be a 275-40-17 tire on a 17" x 9.5" wheel or a 275-35-18 tire on a 18" x 9.5" wheel - if your roads can hadle the lower profile tires.
15" while readily available and relatively cheap is not going to give you the handling or braking of a 16" or larger wheel and tire combo.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 10
From: Ahead of you...
Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: Increase rim size
Wow Paul, thank you for this information! Exactly what I was looking for. Now I'll look into some pricing for those sizes. And play around with the speedo gearing.....maybe I can get lucky and have the same drive gear for both my current size tire and future size tire and maybe only have to change my driven gear when I do upgrade my wheels. probably a bit optimistic thinking there
225-60-15
245-50-16
275-40-17
Are all the same diameter, although the tire width varies a lot...
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