Wheels/Rims 17x8

If done right, tread diameter is nearly the same between 14 and 17" tires.

17" tires have less flex.

The issue is 8" + width.

As long as the placement from backspacing keeps the rim centered at the mounting flange, i see no issues.

The issues are when peeps use spacers with rims that don't have proper offset to fit and shift centering from mounting face on the spindle.

I can get away with a spacer, by the lack of offset on the rims I have.

Maybe this will be of some help. https://www.rsracing.com/TechWheel.aspx

I've been struggling to figure out what to do with my '73 Javelin. I like the look of the stock wheels. Unfortunately, the previous owner trashed them.

I'm going to be doing the Wilwood big brakes in the front and swapping the drums in the rear, so I wouldn't be able to use them anyway. Searching through forums has sent me in all different directions and I'm still back at square one. I'd like to fill up the back wells because the same size tire as the front leaves a lot of space and it looks...odd.

AMXFSTBK390 wrote: It seems like the low profile tire/shorter side wall large diameter rims would jar the suspension more while driving. The tall side walls act as part of the suspension and absorb some of the shock from the road. The roads in California are in bad shape and it is not uncommon for cars to bend a wheel with large diameter rims and low profile tires when they hit a pot hole. I know muscle car owners who have damaged /bent their aluminum large diameter wheels while driving  over the treacherous Altamont Pass to show their car  at Goodguys Pleasanton.

That's what we have with our Honda... lousy 18" rims and potholes. Never bent a rim, but the lip is scuffed on its edges.

17" shouldn't be as bad. Though I do believe if we had 17" wife would feel better when in the passenger seat. Bumps are more on the passenger side.

14 and 15 inch tires are just too hard to get, in anything with decent performing rubber. i went online (2014 or so), shopped around to see what the smallest wheel that got me a broad selection of tires, and went with that -- 16". then i had custom 16 x 7" wheels made by Wheelsmith, and had him set the backspacing so that scrub angle would be in the right place.

to me, YMMV, 16" doesn't look radically tall (i left 'em black), and 50 series tires leaves enough air and rubber for the car. there's a hint of "modernness" but it's not overwhelming.

i'm running 205-50/16 Kumho Ecsta 4X tires. second set, i love them. manual steering, the little Gemmer box that's the sole choice for the early Americans.  steering effort is low enough for me.

years ago i had a '63 classic wagon that i had put 14x7 torque-thrust D's on. they looked great, but i ruined scrub angle, it was a bear to drive but i somehow didnt mind enough to do anything about it.



Edited by tomj - Apr/16/2018 at 12:05pm