jkoester122

i have a set of 15 X 10 inch rim with 275/50/15 bf goodrich radial on right now... the diameter is 25 inches. im looking to upgrade my tire to something taller such as a 275 60 15. that will be a 28 inch tall tire... my question is. can i go any wider such as a 295/55/15 without any rubbing issues?. im at a lost lost with backspacing also. if you guys could tell me how to measure it i can go do that... please help me out!!! should i go with micket thompson or nitto 555r street radials? thanks!
my car: 1970 oldsmobile cutlass s, 455 engine,turbo350,

TripDeuces

My 70 Cutlass took 275's easily and at the track I ran 28" tall slicks so I don't see any problems with your combination. I've seen many run drag radials that are 295 by 29" inches tall. This of course depends on your wheel spacing so you'll have to measure once you get into these sizes.

Aceshigh

Good God man......
I thought this was another Donk to be question.....lol.
I was hoping it wasn't.

I have 285/40/18's on my car's rear with Nitto 555R. (Jon @ DriverzInc comes highly recommended)
I highly recommend these tires. They grip better then any tire I've ever used.
Lots of people using these across various pro-touring forums as well.

I think my backspacing was 5.5" but I can't quite recall if it's 5.0 or 5.5".
My tires rubbed up against my pass side exhaust, and I had to pull the exhaust inward a tad for now.

442Demotivator.jpg

My old 14" SSIII's that I thought were too small and weak looking on a large vehicle.
09JuneRoselleCruiseNights4.jpg

Aceshigh

Just to help you out , this guy had 295/??/15's on his 442 at a show.

These were some big fat beefy lookin *******. Made the car look ****.

09JuneRoselleCruiseNights5.jpg

09JuneRoselleCruiseNights6.jpg

svnt442

Now where the hell did he get those license plates? He can't be road legal like that.

EDIT: That's at Roselle and Irving isn't it....

RetroRanger

I roll 255x60x15s (~27" tall) on stock SS IIIs 15x7 with the correct condiitons = near full lock turn coupled w near full suspension travel the tire can kiss the fender molding in the front. Its only happened once but it happened....

firefrost gold

Olds school N 50's on 15

Aceshigh

Yep. They built that new fancy outdoor mall downtown Roselle.
Tore down my favorite pub right behind the 442. Tia's

Car gathering every Friday all summer long.
No idea about the plates tho......there's probably 100 different plate options in IL.
Waste of taxpayer money and time if you ask me.

507OLDS

If you are using a 15 x 10 rim,then you MUST have 5.5" backspace to get it all to fit & be centered under the car.I run a 325/50/15 drag radial.That ios the largest tire you will fit under there without any modifications.My wheel wells,wheel lips,and frame rails are all stock,NO modifications.A 295/65/15 will also work.They are slightly narrower,and slightly taller than the 325/50/15. A few months back,someone posted the info about the new 295/55/15,and those would fit as well,since the dimensions were slightly smaller than the 325/50/15.If you don't have the correct backspacing,forget it.

jkoester122

i will measure my backspacing today and get back to yall. i would like to try out the 295/ 55/15. now for tire options.. mickey thompson or the nitto 555r? i drive it at least once a week and go to some car shows every once in awhile.
and to 507olds. can you send me some pics up close of the tire. different views would be greatly appreciated

Schne442

[QUOTE=svnt442;323597]Now where the hell did he get those license plates? He can't be road legal like that.

Not to get off the subject, In Illinois as long as you have current plates and registration IN THE CAR you can display historical plates representing the model year of your car. I dont know about other states but in Illinois that is the law.
Gary

jkoester122

okay my backspacing is 4 inches even.

507OLDS

Those rims won't work.You need 5.5" backspace.That is probably why those short tires are on there now.

jkoester122

i have 4 inches until i hit my frame on the inside of the tire... i know i can fit a 28 inch tall tire but and probaly a 12.5 inch wide tire bc the one i have on right now is 25 by 12 wide

Aceshigh

Very good to know. Thanks for the update.

Looks like 507Olds gave the OP the best answer on the largest tire with field experience.

507OLDS

If you have 4" between the tire & the frame,then you definitely do not have the correct backspace on the rim.That whole wheel needs to get tucked inboard.With the 325/50/15,I have no more than 3/4" between the tire & the frame,and the same on the outside.Nothing has ever hit,but I also have a stiffer rear suspension,with very little bodyroll.

yankees

Will 295/65/15s fit on a 72 cutlass with 15x10s and a 5 inch backspace?

507OLDS

They will with a 5.5" backspace. With the 5" backspace,they will rub the wheel well lips.

tmatador

How bout a 325/50/15 on a 15x9 with 5" backspace? should be ok shouldn't it since its 9" wide instead of 10"?

svnt442

Check the specs on the tire. I think the minimum width on a tire that wide would be at least 9.5".

tmatador

I dont actuall y have the tire yet but the website that I was looking at them on has this description for them.

Description: The Nitto NT-555R is a D.O.T. approved competition drag radial designed with maximum flexibility for the weekend drag racer. Treadwear 100, Traction A, Temperature A. 27.99" O.D., 13.11" O.W. Fits 9" to 11.5" width rims.

507OLDS

The narrower rim is squeezing or sucking the tire in.Some of the wheels,like Centerlines,have sizes like that,with even number backspacing.In theory,it should work because you are taking 1/2" off the frontside,and 1/2" off the backside,then 1/2" less backspace.However,I have not actually tried it.

hunter

You can get in the 295 range, yet the wheel lip as said will rub past that

Mak

FWIW, I think that rim/tire combination looks great on your car! Bitchin'... but not TOO much.
Lame question, I know... but what pressure do you run in such a low profile tire?

tmatador

The 325/50/15 on a 15x9 with 5" backspace fit in wheel well nicely.

All I had was my cell phone camera so pics are not that good.

oldcutlass

Awesome!!!

Aceshigh

Thanks, alot of people said it wouldn't look good, don't do it, etc.
I knew it would. Many voluntarily ate their words after it was done and they saw it.

Pressure I run the same in all my cars. 35-38psi.

yankees

Will a 15x8 Cragar SS/T with a 5 inch backspace mounted on P275/60R15 work on a 72 stock cutlass? Got the Cragar unilug wheels for free, so may as well try them.

Miniboom

Hi!

I have a 1972 Cutlass Supreme, and I'm looking for the same look you've managed to get! It really does look awesome and way beyond! Wow!

Hope it's not too much to ask the following questions:

1. May I "copy" your mods right onto my 1972 Cutlass, or are there differences between the two that make it difficult?

2. May I please have a list including:
- Wheel sizes/backspacing front + rear
- Tire sizes front + rear
- Lowering method/parts or any other mods needed for fitting without rubbing (if any)

3. More pictures of your awesome ride?

I've been searching the web for ages, and you're the only one I've seen so far that's got the exact look I want for my car.

And don't worry, I won't be parking next to you randomly. I live in Europe!

If Aceshigh don't answer this, I invite anyone else with this look to post pictures and/or send me a PM with info!

I love a classic car with nice, mid-sized rims (by modern standards, I think 17-18 inch is mid size)!

XTREMEGSXR

If 15x10 need a 5.5 BS what would a 15x8 on front BS need to be?

Aceshigh

Same cars for the most part with what you're asking about.
Front rim = 17" x 8" with 4.5" backspacing, 245/40/17 front Nitto 555 tire
Rear rim = 18" x 10" with 5.0" backspacing, 285/40/18 rear Nitto 555 tire......if I remember correctly.
(As an FYI I got 5.5" on the rear and it hits my exhaust, and I had to pull my exhaust away)
( so you don't want 5.5" BS)

You will want to verify this information with a rim seller who is familiar with the A-body's and pro-touring though.
I bought from Jon @ DriverzInc but he sold his business recently. No lowering parts used.
Progress thread on my Chevy forum http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165705
Photobucket album with everything http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...22/Olds%20442/

I do appreciate that buddy. Much obliged. I was met with fierce opposition but I got the car the way I wanted it, and then alot of people who were against the look.......said they were wrong later on and loved it.

507OLDS

If you go with a 10" wide rim on the back,you will need at least 5.5" backspace.
If you go with an 8" wide rim on the front,you will need at least 5" backspace.

If you are running any aftermarket brake systems,like Baer,you might need additional backspacing,due to the thickness of the rotors pushing the wheels outboard.If you are also running the B-body spindle set-up in the front,that will also push your wheels outboard about 3/8",if I remember correctly.

1971viking

Just ordered 295/45/18 Ridler setup. Diameter is 28.5. From the reserach I have done this should fit and look good.

BS is 5.5

Thoughts?

1971viking

I need a two inch drop up front and maybe a 1 inch drop in the rear.

3 inch exhaust is too close to rear tires. Need to move about 1.5 inches.

60193W30

Fellas...
What tire limitations will I have with this rim combo...
Or how big of tire can I run...
I have the same 70 A Body...

The fronts 15x7 with a back space of 4.5
The rears 15x8 with a back space of 4.5

I do not want to have any modifications if possible...

Thanks

Joe

507OLDS

The 8" wide rim is one limitation.The 4.5" backspace is the other. You can fit a 275/60/15 under there,with plenty of room.

60193W30

If I go with a 10" rear what backspacing will in need so I do not rub...

How about the fronts as well...

I like the beefy look...

stressed1

I really hate the big rims on vintage muscle cars, but to each their own. I have run a 15x10 with 5.5 b.s. on 70 chevelle, which should be same as cutlass being an a body. I'd recommend 15x8 with 275 or 295.

stressed1

245 is a good front tire to compliment thicker rears.

507OLDS

My car also has 3" exhaust all the way to the bumper,and the tires clear,but barely.Most of the 3" tails being sold will need some tweaking to fit correctly and look right.It's just the nature of the hobby.