Corvair Forum

So like the title says I'm considering a tire/wheel upgrade. I have a choice picked out, but am not dead set on it. I'm going for something of a big and little look but really just want to fill the fenders out with a modern tire and give the car a tough look from the rear.

I've done so much searching but I have not found definitive specs of what would absolutely work for an EM running 15" or 16" wheels. Best I can figure a 15x7 with a offset of 25 for the front(I could even just do 16" all around) I may have to use a 10mm spacer to push it away from contacting suspension/steering components. For the rear a 16x7 w/same offset and possible use of a 5mm spacer. Tires would be 195-55-15(205-50-16) for front and 215-55-16 on rear. Back tire is tall but keep in mind I just installed 3.89 axel gears for this reason. I have no problem rolling fenders and have had good luck "phone book pulling" fenders on lowered cars in the past.(google "phone book pulling fenders" if you don't know what it is) If necessary rear tires could be a 205-55-16 but I really want 215.

These are the rims I'm thinking of:
COMPE




Enkei Wheels is bringing back its COMPE (short for Competition), reviving a classic wheel associated with the heydays of import car racing. The true old school eight spoke wheel is the latest addition from Enkei. Available in 15 and 16 with offsets ranging from 0 to 38.
•Sizes 15×5.5, 15×7, 15×8, 16×7, or 16×8
•Matte Gunmetal or a Gloss White
•Spec-E Inspected

I wish I knew the specs of the wheels on this Corvair as it has pretty much exactly the look I want
You guys who know or done this before am I'm I heading in the right direction or do I need to rethink my selections?

Here is the build thread for that car. viewtopic.php?f=52&t=5040#p33758

I sent him a message and asked what the specs are. I am also wanting to put a similar look on my 63.

That would be great. In this thread he told what size rims they are and make, but no offset info.viewtopic.php?t=9117

I won't buy anything until he lets you(us) know more details.

So of all the places I found those same wheels on the Vair in the picture on Amazon.
Brand
XXR
Model
537
Item Weight
23 pounds
Product Dimensions
16 x 16 x 8 inches
Exterior
Flat Black
Manufacturer Part Number
53768082F
Construction
1-piece
Rim Diameter
16 inches
Rim Width
8 inches
Bolt Pattern (Number of Holes)
8
Bolt Pattern (Pitch Circle Diameter)
100 millimeters, 4.5 inches
Offset
20 millimeters
Backspace
5.29 inches
Bore Diameter
73.1 millimeters

On sale right now for $96.55 which seems like a deal. They only have two offsets available +20 or +0 pretty sure it will be the +20 offset we need as the wider rim without it would get pushed into the fender with a +0 offset. I believe we have our answer. 16x8 is pretty wide so I may have to settle on 205 wide tire like he did.

I got an answer from Stephan. His wheels are 16x8 with 0 offset. Tires are 205/45-16.

0 offset, any fender rolling or steering arm contact? Well that shows the extent of my understanding for wheel fitment. Thanks for getting that info it may have just saved me from making a big mistake. The sale on those XXR wheels runs till the 12th. it adds up to nearly $200 saved over the Enkei's which for me is not chump change and represents two tires it could go towards. The XXR's will need, or should have some hubcentric rings to keep the wheels centered better. Amazon also had some 73.1mm OD to 66.1mm ID which is what we/I would use their pretty cheap at less than $12 for all four. I'll sleep on it and make a decision tomorrow.

Getting closer, just have to make a decision on final tire size. Now that their here I got to say their HUGE 16x7 front and 16x8 rear. I hope I didn't go too big and get this wrong. I will roll my fenders/phone book pull them tonight on the stock rims and tires I have now. I'm hoping to create some clearance now and it will be enough. If not then I'll do more with the new rims and final tire size when mounted. I'm leaning towards 205-50-16 up front, and 215-50-16 in the rear.

Hope the fit, they will look good. Close to what I had on my Spitfire, but I only had 175 -80 -13's.

Ok they are now on the car and it looks and drives pretty good I'd say. Final tire size was as stated in the above post, 205-50-16 FT, and 215-50-16 RR
The fitment I would have to say is almost perfect and if I had to make a change it would be to go with a 45 series tire in front and not 50. While driving by myself I had no rubbing issues at all and this included having the stock rims/tires in the car behind me on the way back to work. My Dad needed a ride to pick up his car at another shop and then I started to get some rubbing on the passenger side in front. Once I got home I pulled the front wheels off and busted out the heat gun and a "BFH" and pounded the inner lip into submission on both sides. This seemed to help the clearance. The rears fit perfect with no issues at all, keep in mind though I did phone book pull the rear fenders out earlier this week on the stock tires so I had made a little room for the new tires already.

The taller tire in the rear has taken the edge off the 3.89 axel ratio and the car keeps up with traffic on the freeway about 300 rpm less. With my quick boost response city driving is fine too. here are a few pic's lighting in some isn't great but you'll get the idea.

Have you lowered the car at all? If so, how much did you cut? Looks good!