15" wheels or upsizing?

[davidl13]

i own the 70 bee on the left (now with black C stripes and black interior) and i am finishing the project up and putting new wheels on the car...

poll option 1 - left - 70 bee with 15" wheels front and rear
poll option 2 - right - 69 rr with 18" rear, 17" front wheels

which do you like better? the 15" or 17/18" combo?

advantages (17/18 wheels come speed rated for above 118 and better handling) (15 wheels, softer ride)

disadvantages - 15 wheels max out at 118 mph...for a 600+ supercharged 440...seems low...even if those moments are few and far between, i'd hate to see the tires come apart at 140!

 

[tpodwdog]

ok,,,,first off the car on the right is a 70 GTX not a 69 road runner...and secondly, i like the wheels thats on the purple bee now. personally i think the newer style wheels on these classic mopars just look junky, but of course thats only my opinion and keep in mind that you DID ask for it!

 

[davidl13]

wheels

oops...GTX, right! and yes i DID ask... thank you!

 

[tpodwdog]

i looooooooooooove that bee just the way it sits!!!!

 

[terzmo]

old school here...anything larger than 15 inch for wheels looks like fido's butt...those big wheels look fake/plastic

 

[hunt2elk]

old school here...anything larger than 15 inch for wheels looks like fido's butt...those big wheels look fake/plastic

X2

 

[shag766]

honestly i don't like the low-pro tires. but, on the other hand, i don't like the profile of the bee. it could use some adjustment. for me it is to high in the rear. you asked. rick

 

[davidl13]

wheels

thanks all.. keep it coming... i can use the good ideas and experience of others... it is my first project since i was a kid...so ....i appreciate the feedback...

i was considering the hotchkiss leaf springs... which lower it about 1" according to their site...

i already have tubular upper and lowers...., sway bars....adjustable strut rods, hd torsion... (not from hotchkiss)... if i were to start over, i may have used their "system"... but i am learning the hard way... lol.... i guess everyone learns from experience at some point...

any thoughts on the hotchkiss rear leafs???

 

[Red63440]

i own the 70 bee on the left (now with black C stripes and black interior) and i am finishing the project up and putting new wheels on the car...

poll option 1 - left - 70 bee with 15" wheels front and rear
poll option 2 - right - 69 rr with 18" rear, 17" front wheels

which do you like better? the 15" or 17/18" combo?

advantages (17/18 wheels come speed rated for above 118 and better handling) (15 wheels, softer ride)

disadvantages - 15 wheels max out at 118 mph...for a 600+ supercharged 440...seems low...even if those moments are few and far between, i'd hate to see the tires come apart at 140!

So what your saying is that there are tons of racers running 15" rims that should be dead......I ran them for many years at over 118 mph and never had a problem.:no:

 

[davidl13]

So what your saying is that there are tons of racers running 15" rims that should be dead......I ran them for many years at over 118 mph and never had a problem.:no:

i was under the assumption (and maybe a bad one) that 15" tires used to have higher speed ratings and now this is all that is left since there are very few, if any, 15" new performance cars being built today...

certainly there is not a line in the sand....at 119 they blow up....but i would like to feel confident that when i have a safe (for others) opportunity to test the top end, that i am not committing suicide pushing 140+...

 

[sawdoff]

I dont understand how wheel diameter affects top speed...
as far as speed a tire can handle just check the tire's rating
and i have to say i like some cars with the larger wheels even thought about putting some on my 70 satellite

 

[Meep-Meep]

I think what David means is that it may be harder to find 15" tires rated for high speed since modern perf cars have 17" or larger.

I have seen the big wheels on some old MoPars and sometimes the look works. I'm into the period correct modifications for the older cars so I would throw a set of TTO's on it and lower it a bit as well.

 

[davidl13]

yes you are right, that is what i meant...


TTO??? what is that?

right now i have 15x10 draglights ( weld) in the rear and 15x7 draglights in the front...at minimum i need to decide on tires....at maximum a wheel change for higher speed rated tires...

i have been reading some threads on tires sizes...there are many choices...

right now these have been 295/50/15 w/ 4.5" offset..on the rear...many factors...how it fills the wheel well...rubbing concerns...etc...

 

[Propwash]

The question you should be asking amigo is what rims size do you like better. Before you go blowing a grand or two on a popular vote, make damn sure your putting the wheels that you really like on the car. I guess it's comforting to ask others and try to get some condolences on an option, but in the end if your decision was based off that how can you call it your own? It's you car, your money and you're the one that needs to be happy with it at the end of the day.

 

[Meep-Meep]

TTO??? what is that?

Torque Thrust Original.

http://www.wheelstop.com/wheels/AMERICAN RACING HOT ROD/TTO GUN METAL(L.jpg

 

[davidl13]

The question you should be asking amigo is what rims size do you like better. Before you go blowing a grand or two on a popular vote, make damn sure your putting the wheels that you really like on the car. I guess it's comforting to ask others and try to get some condolences on an option, but in the end if your decision was based off that how can you call it your own? It's you car, your money and you're the one that needs to be happy with it at the end of the day.

of course...just looking for some in the field experience of what it feels like, results people have produced, handling, ride comfort, looks etc...

thank you

 

[Propwash]

I hear ya......Wheels are pricey and the rims can be a make/break situation in the end. Helluva tough decision to make...I gotta do the same on my 69' RR real soon. Hope it all pans out for you.

BTW....Nice looking Bee!!

 

[ram250098]

I have had a few cars in the last few years with the larger rims and I can't stand them, the way I look at it is if your driving an "old school" classic...keep it that way. If you have your ride all tricked out, then fine go big..
If you want the wheel wells full of rubber, then stick with the 15" rims and go with a larger tire like a 70 or 75. I just got a 73 Charger with 20" rears and 18" fronts...took me about a week to get them sold so I could go back to 15"s.
AL

 

[nelsontoddpa]

Stick with the 15's..... I love the classic look.

Just my 2 cents.....

 

[FatJack]

Hey I am an old fart but I still think the 17/18's look great. About to do that to a 69 RR for disc brake clearance.