New wheels...17 or 18"?

joyridin' · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2018, 02:39 PM

Time for new wheels. I am going with either 17 or 18" diameter and getting rid of the 15" versions. I was really planning on 17, but it looks as though the tire selection is getting a bit slim these days.

Anybody have pictures of their car with 18" wheels? A few pictures with 17" wouldn't hurt either for a comparison.

PHMCobra · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2018, 03:30 PM

My ride is Backdraft #1360 with a Roush 427R (550 HP, 530 lb-ft Torque) with a Tremec T56 Magnum 6-speed tranny. I have 18-inch rims with Falken-Azenis 245/40R18 tires on the front and Falken-Azenis 295/40R18 tires on the rear. I purchased the car new and the Falkens came with the car. The 18-inch rims are a good look, but I will not replace the tires with another set of Falkens. As of today, I would replace all four tires with Nittos, perhaps a bit wider. Phil

TexasSnake · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2018, 05:18 PM

I'm running 17 inch Shelby endorsed American Racing Vintage 427 wheels with Nitto 555 Extreme rubber on my car and it is a great setup. The sizes are 8 inch wide wheel with 245/45/17 up front and 11 inch wide wheel with 315/35/17 rubber in the rear. One really critical part of ordering new wheels and tires for your car is making sure that you have the correct measurements for your wheel back spacing. If you need any help in this area or have any questions about wheel fitment and your tire options I would highly recommend contacting Bob Lacey at Vintage Wheel in San Diego. Bob really know his stuff and can help you with the entire process so that get the optimum setup for your car. I have also run Michelin Pilot Sports with good results. However, they are more expensive than the Nitto Extremes and I really didn't see any performance advantage

40k Later · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2018, 10:17 PM

I have the Cobra Halibrand III's which are 17" with Nitto 555 Extreme's, I love the combination but, because I need 17" wheels to clear my 12" disc's, the 245/40-17's and 275/40-17's have minimal sidewall which doesn't bring much road comfort to the equation and the "old skool" guys scoff at anything larger than a 15" wheel that won't fit a Goodyear bill board
Incidentally those Nitto's hook real hard. I'm headed to Discount tire this weekend to get 2 new Nitto's for the rear. Can't beat em in my opinion
Way more tire options with 17 and 18" wheels

CJ428CJ · #5 (**permalink**) 02-06-2018, 10:39 AM

I run 275/40/17s on the front and 335/35/17s on the back. 335s for the rear are getting pretty hard to find but there still seems to be a lot of 315/35/17's available.

Grey 65 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-06-2018, 01:16 PM

315/30/18 on 18x11 Front
335/30/18 on 18x12 Rear

joyridin' · #7 (**permalink**) 02-06-2018, 03:33 PM

Kevin...what brand are the wheels you have?

Thanks for all the replies everybody!

Grey 65 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-06-2018, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyridin'

Kevin...what brand are the wheels you have?

Thanks for all the replies everybody!

Fronts are Vintage Wheels (website sponsor).
Rears are factory Backdraft wheels I had widened 1".

I run BFG Rival S tires. The Falken 615+ tires are also good. I Nitto 555 tires were great when they first came out years ago. But they are crap compared with the Falkens or the BFG's.

GT Trooper · #9 (**permalink**) 02-06-2018, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ428CJ

I run 275/40/17s on the front and 335/35/17s on the back. 335s for the rear are getting pretty hard to find but there still seems to be a lot of 315/35/17's available.

Stance is perfect!