I've just finished putting a set of Baer Serious Street disk brakes on my 70 GSX. I picked these because I wanted to keep the stock 15x7 Rally wheels. It turns out that the front calipers just barely fit, but I was VERY disappointed to find out that the rear calipers are bigger and the stock wheels don't fit. So much for going stealth!! Has anyone else run into this and figured out a work-around? So now I'm looking into stepping up to larger rims. I'm closing in on 17"ers because there is a better tire selection then 16". I've found a Billet wheel from Wheel Vintiques that I think I can make look pretty close to the stock rally wheels with some black rally paint. It's the 88 Series Billet Lakester wheel, see attachment below. My question is: What is the right tire and wheel size for 70 GSX? I've done the measuring and research and this is what I'm thinking right now: Front - 17 x 8 w/ 4.5" back space wheel & 245/45-17 tire. (OD = 25.7") Rear - 17 x 10 w/ 5.5" back space wheel & 285/40-17 tire. (OD = 26.1") OR - 17 x 9.5 w/ 5.25" back space wheel & 275/40-17 tire. (OD = 25.7") Can anyone confirm that these will fit WITHOUT any modification? Anyone got a tire brand to recommend? Thanks for your help, Frank
Frank, I have 17" x 8" wheels on my GSX all the way around with 4 3/4" backspacing 4 1/2 or 5 backspacing would work. I have 245/45/17 tires all the way around also. It looks to me like 17"x 9 1/2" will work all the way around as well. As for the tires I could have gone for a little taller tire to be closer to stock. If you go to www.tirerack.com they can help you with the tire dimemsions to get the same rolling radius as the stock tire. Check other threads on the board for more wheel information. This has come up several times. Mark
I am using the Bridgestone Potneza SO3 tire. I like it alot. I hear the Pilotsport is also decent. Check out tirerack for some reviews and comparisons. Mark
Frank I remember the ratio for the effect on deceleration by brakes is something like 80/20 front to back. So by going with the stock size wheels with drum brakes you will lose only a fraction of the 20%. It is a matter of personal taste, but if I had an X (and we do) I would not change the stock wheel size or looks for the small gain in deceleration capability. It defeats the purpose , in my view, of having an old classic muscle car to try to make it look in part modern with today's wheels.
Frank, I am looking at the same wheel. With a little black paint it will look close to stock and should be lighter. Also I think you can get more custom sizes with that wheel. If possible I want to go no more than a 50 series tire for ride and durability. Just do not think that the cornering improvement would be worth it. With stock wheels and Goodyears mine will corner harder on the street than good sense would dictate doing. If you are going to autocross like Mark then it is a different story. Post pics if you go ahead with this.
Frank, IMHO I think the G-Machine muscle cars are very cool looking. I like the cars with custom wheels and lower stance. I really see no issue with having custom wheels on an older car. The custom wheel industry is about a $2 Billion dollar a year industry so I know I am not alone. I also think original cars are very cool looking. It all comes down to personal preference. We all own our cars and since we own the car it is our right to make the car as we see fit. If you want an all stock car then great. If you want a custom car then great too. Mark
Frank; I don't have the Baer setup on my car (Stock disks on the front and Drums on the back). I am running Cragar 17x8's on the front and 17x 9's on the back with 4 1/2 back spacing. There is easliy enough room to fit 9.5's or even 10's with out any modification. I am also running the TA 3" in exhaust and those pipes take up alot of room behind the rear tires but the rims still fit.The tires I am running are the Pirelli Asimmetrico's (225/45's on the front and 255/45's on the back). I am in the same boat as Mark with regards to the profile, I should have gone with a larger profile. I have not put the car through and rally runs yet but I noticed a huge difference in how the car hooks up now. More rubber more traction.
Better braking Jim, I did want to keep the car looking as stock as possible while improving the cars all around performance. The upgrade to rear disks has forced the change. I really wanted to keep the stock rally wheels as I was already running 255/60 x 15's. I've spent a lot of time trying to find a wheel that looks like the Buick Rally wheel. I think these wheels will look close and I am trying to find a tire that has a similar hight to the otigianl G60's. The car needed better handling and braking. The Global West front end (upper & lower contol arms, sway bar), Hotchis rear end (upper & lower trailing arms, sway bar), TA Traction Bars, Bisten gas shocks and poolyurethane bushings have all improved the handling and hook up. I wanted the improved braking now that the car is going faster. I also wanted you to know that I have kept all of the origianl stock parts and not done any modification that can't be reversed. With more speed comes the need for better handling and braking. I'm confident that the Baer brakes will improve my 100 to 0 times. Frank
Doug, I would also like to find a tire that has a bit more side wall then the 40 profile, but I haven't had luck finding it. There aren't many R17's that come with anything more then a 45 profile. Have you found an R16 or R17 performance tire with a 50 profile that is close to the hight to an origianal G60 15? I'd go with it if you did. I'm currently running 255/60 X 15 all the way around and that looks real good. I will post pictures when it's all down, it's this wheel and tire selection that is holding me up right now. Frank
Wheel and tire combo Mark, Thanks for all your feedback. I did review other threads prior to my posting and saw many solid comments from you and others. I was hoping to find someone that is actually running 17 x 9.5 with a 285/40 on the rear to confirm that they fit without a hitch. I'd like to find a 50 profile, but haven't found one that is wider then the 255/60s I'm currently running. I've found your comments to be quite helpful. I know my car will handle better and I think it will look good too. I'll post pictures as soon as I get it back on the road. Thanks, Frank
Wheel Vintiques John & Terry , Yes I did contact Wheel Vintiques and they do not carry the Buick Rallies in a 17. I told him what I was trying to do and he steered me towards their Series 94 Magnum which he said a Buick cap could be installed. That wheel is more of a Ford wheel and I didn't go for it. I ended up ordering the 88 series Billet Lakester and intend on painting the inner section to make it look like the Buick rally. I'm hoping it will look good. I ordered 17x8 w/ a 4.5 " backspace for the front and 17x9.5 w/ a 5.5" backspace for the rear. I'll post pictures once it's back on the road. Frank
If you have a Firestone near you stop in and ask to have a look at a set of Fuzion ZRI's. They are basically the S03 Bridgestone tire for less than half the price. The Fuzion is a W rated directional tire with a very aggressive tread pattern, they also hook up decent from a dig for street tires. If you come through Columbus sometime and still need tires look me up I can get you a good deal on just about anything Firestone sells.
How much room do you need your original wheels to clear the calipers? If the caliper is too close in the "width" portion rather than the height, they make spacers to "bump" out your wheels to clear. I had to do that to clear a set of Wilwood's to my aftermarket 15" rims (that Wilwood said would clear ). Hopefully THIS link will work. If not, go to summit racing's site and put in wheel spacer as a key word. Of course, your original offset will be altered and possible wheel flex (is there such a thing?) might create a rub every now and then on a hard corner. It's an option if you don't have WAY too much of a clearance issue. Good luck. BTW a painted stealth 17" rim would not look too shabby either! :TU:
I've decided Thanks to all for your feedback. I've decided to go with the Wheels Vintiques 88 Series Billet Lakester wheel and will paint part of the center black to simulate the Buick Rally wheel. Front - 17 x 8 w/ 4.5" back space wheel & 245/45-17 tire. (OD = 25.7") Rear - 17 x 9.5 w/ 5.5" back space wheel & 285/40-17 tire. (OD = 26.1") I'll post pictures once it's back on the road. Does anyone know the height of the original G60 15? I think that was the original tire on the 70 GSX, right? Frank
Thanks Thanks for that measurement. Then the tire sizes I have picked should look right and my speedo won't be too far off.
Frank70gsx where did you order your rims from? I am looking for Crager 5 spoke and am looking for a good source to purchase them from. I will be using the same measurments as you are for my order.
Wheels source Todd, I ordered my wheels from Wheel Vintiques because I wanted a wheel that looked similar to the stock Buick Rallies. These were the closestest I could find in a 17". If your looking for the stadard Crager SS wheel, I would just order it from Summit Racing. If you need tires also, they will have a good selection and will even mount and balance them in the deal. There turn around is really good and their I've always found their prices to be very competative. BTW: I really like the look of your white convertible GSX. That's got to be a very rare car! Frank
