Where to buy rims?

[Kbryant]

I'm getting ready to purchase some 15" rims for my LM. What are some of the places that you guys recommend I should shop. I'm thinking Summit and JEGS. Is one better than the other? What's your experience? Other options?

[martyscarr]

You should read about wheel offset on Bryan Blackwell's autocross pages: http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html In my opinion it would be good to make an effort to get close to optimal offset/backspacing to avoid issues.

Wheels Vintique http://www.wheelvintiques.com/ can supply nice looking wheels with correct backspace.

Marty Scarr

[UNSAFE]

I have bought wheels from both Summit and Jegs . Both were quick to deliver !

[davemotohead]

15" tire selection is getting slim, you might think about 16-17" wheels for a better tire selection.

[TonyPa]

I have always ordered from Summit. But both are good. If I call by 1pm, my summit stuff is on my doorstep the next day. I am close to them though.
I have heard the 15's are getting tougher on the tires. I didn't know how well 16's would fit on early model?
For the early model is it a 4X4.50 bolt pattern? I am not seeing many "4 bolt pattern" for my early model......

[bbodie52]

Interchange Information.

Since many folks want to know what to shop for online, at swap meets, junk yards, etc., here is some info which might be helpful.

Earlies have 4 lugs on a 4 1/2" (114.3mm) bolt circle. Other cars with that 4 on 4 1/2 pattern are:

Acura Legend '86 to '90
Chevy Nova, Chevy II '60 to '64
Chevy Sprint '85 to '87
Buick Special, Olds F-85 '61 to '63
Datsun/Nissan, most RWD models to '89
Dodge Colt '79 to '92
Ford Falcon, Mustang (6 cyl) '60 to '73
Ford Granada, Maverick '81 to '83
Hyundai all years
Infiniti G20 '91 - '96
Infiniti M30 '90 - '92
Mazda 323 '86 to '89
Mazda 626, RX7 '83 to '87
Mazda GLC '81 to '85
Mazda RX-7 GSL/SE '84 to '88
MGA, MGB, MGC all
Mitsubishi, most 4 lug all years
Nissan 240SX all 4 cyl
Nissan Altima '93 to '01
Olds - F-85 '61 to '63
Plymouth Arrow, Sapporo '79 to '88
Saab, all to '87
Toyota, most RWD except PU and MR2 up to '85
Triumph TR3 through TR6 all
Most info from a wheel swapping chart of mid 1989.

Thanks to Martin Scarr for this data. One thing to bear in mind is that the FWD cars listed here will have a lot of backspacing, so measure it before you buy.

Here are some informative links that should help you in fitting some larger tires and wheels to an EM Corvair...

http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html

http://www.the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?t=26740

http://www.tirerack.com/landing/Landing ... 09113818:s

[TonyPa]

Interchange Information.

Since many folks want to know what to shop for online, at swap meets, junk yards, etc., here is some info which might be helpful.

Earlies have 4 lugs on a 4 1/2" (114.3mm) bolt circle. Other cars with that 4 on 4 1/2 pattern are:

Acura Legend '86 to '90
Chevy Nova, Chevy II '60 to '64
Chevy Sprint '85 to '87
Buick Special, Olds F-85 '61 to '63
Datsun/Nissan, most RWD models to '89
Dodge Colt '79 to '92
Ford Falcon, Mustang (6 cyl) '60 to '73
Ford Granada, Maverick '81 to '83
Hyundai all years
Infiniti G20 '91 - '96
Infiniti M30 '90 - '92
Mazda 323 '86 to '89
Mazda 626, RX7 '83 to '87
Mazda GLC '81 to '85
Mazda RX-7 GSL/SE '84 to '88
MGA, MGB, MGC all
Mitsubishi, most 4 lug all years
Nissan 240SX all 4 cyl
Nissan Altima '93 to '01
Olds - F-85 '61 to '63
Plymouth Arrow, Sapporo '79 to '88
Saab, all to '87
Toyota, most RWD except PU and MR2 up to '85
Triumph TR3 through TR6 all
Most info from a wheel swapping chart of mid 1989.

Thanks to Martin Scarr for this data. One thing to bear in mind is that the FWD cars listed here will have a lot of backspacing, so measure it before you buy.

Here are some informative links that should help you in fitting some larger tires and wheels to an EM Corvair...

http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html

http://www.the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?t=26740

http://www.tirerack.com/landing/Landing ... 09113818:s

WOW, thats great info!! Thanks. I just saved that!

[TonyPa]

I would like to know where to get these wheels. I like these.

[66vairguy]

15" tire selection is getting slim, you might think about 16-17" wheels for a better tire selection.

Dave makes a point. A fellow in our club gave up on 15" rims and went to 16" because he could not find new tires to fit.

On my 66 I run 14" and was surprised the 205/70 front and 245/60 rears are still available for 14". A lot of muscle car folks still use the 14" sizes. Both these sizes are nearly the same circumference as the old 7:00X13 tire. The 205 works on a 6" or 7" wide rim. The 245 requires a 7" wide rim.

You might consider 14" since they give a good ride, but if you are into the "rubber band" tire look then 16 or 17" rims are the way to go.

On a LM with a wider tire you'll want a 4.5" backspace (you could go more, but may have interference problems).

Be aware that some of the disc brake conversions require a larger/deeper rim.

[gpracer89]

I had no problem finding 15" tires. There are still alot of choices, at least around here. The only thing a little tough is matching up different sizes for front & rear. I bought cheapie Fusion Touring tires, 205 60 15 & 225 60 15.

BF Goodrich Radial TA's are still a popular choice in 15" & will remain so because of all the musclecars. Rick Norris up the street from me put 205's & 235's TA's on his LM Vert. I do have to agree that 15"s will start drying up, but IMHO is not a concern right now.

I also seriously considered 16" 'cause they seem the best compromise on ride, but wheel avaliabilty is slim. I was concerned about the ride quality going to 17''s . The bigger you go on the wheel, the more sidewall you lose. The 17" are a big step from the original 13"

I have a nice set of early 14" Rally wheels for sale off my LM. I had no problem finding some 205 70 14 tires for them.

[bbodie52]

http://www.cragarwheelapplicationguide. ... and=Cragar

Part Number: 3204644
Size: 14x6
Part Description: 14x6 Series 320 Chrome
Bolt Pattern: 4x4.5
Offset: 0
Backspacing (In): 3 1/2"
Load Rating: 1400
Weight: 21
Cap Part Number: 29169-1





Don't get too excited about the above picture. They are Cragar S/S wheels designed for a golf car! Size 12x7 Chrome Cragar SS Wheel 3:4 Offset. As far as I can tell the Cragar S/S style wheel is no longer sold in a 4-lug style.



Five-lug version...

[TonyPa]

http://www.cragarwheelapplicationguide. ... and=Cragar

Part Number: 3204644
Size: 14x6
Part Description: 14x6 Series 320 Chrome
Bolt Pattern: 4x4.5
Offset: 0
Backspacing (In): 3 1/2"
Load Rating: 1400
Weight: 21
Cap Part Number: 29169-1





Don't get too excited about the above picture. They are Cragar S/S wheels designed for a golf car! Size 12x7 Chrome Cragar SS Wheel 3:4 Offset. As far as I can tell the Cragar S/S style wheel is no longer sold in a 4-lug style.



Five-lug version...

I actually like those cragars. I will save that part number for later. I still find quit a few 14 inch tire sizes near me. When I had my other older car. I never had an issue with the 14's. I would have liked 15's though.
Is 3 1/2 backspacing okay? According to the one link someone posted above for early models, It said stock for early models is 4 1/4. Would this 3 1/2 work okay?

[UNSAFE]

I just bought 15" tires for the front of my car - there were many choices .

I went with the BF Goodrich G-Force Rival in a 205/50/15 . The rival is a high performance summer tire with a
wear rating of 200 .

I also bought 4 new racing tires in 225/45/15 . They are track only tires with a 40 wear rating .

[UNSAFE]

Is 3 1/2 backspacing okay? According to the one link someone posted above for early models, It said stock for early models is 4 1/4. Would this 3 1/2 work okay?

I'm not an Early guy but I think you would be fine . My late model has 15x6 front wheels with 3 3/8 BS and 205/50 tires and even spacers because of my disk brakes .

[TonyPa]

Is 3 1/2 backspacing okay? According to the one link someone posted above for early models, It said stock for early models is 4 1/4. Would this 3 1/2 work okay?

I'm not an Early guy but I think you would be fine . My late model has 15x6 front wheels with 3 3/8 BS and 205/50 tires and even spacers because of my disk brakes .

Oh okay. I realized after I posted the less backspacing, the wheel is pushed outward. I was thinking the opposite, and of it rubbing the inner well. My brain got confused....
I looked on summit. I don't see many 15 inch for my early 4 lug. But I was looking in a hurry.

[tbird55]

this may be a little after the fact. i bought mine from speedway in nebraska. brand new rallye wheels for $50 bucks each. you cant buy used ones for that. they look great and i bought 15s but maybe should have gone to 16s as tires are getting harder to find.