Wheel Fitment Guide

clean8485

Comic Book Super Hero
Dec 18, 2005
2,860
2,135
113
Ontario, Canada
Has anyone here used the reproduction 5 spoke 17" by 8" early '70s style Z28 rims from Year One? According to the listing on the Year One site, these rims have 4.25" backspacing. Would something like this fit on a 1980 Malibu? If so, what would be a good size tire to go with? On theYear One site, they claim that these rims will work on a third gen Camaro, and they they used a 245/45R17 tire, but I know that there is more room in the rear wheelwells on the third gen Camaro, than there is on the '78-'88 A/G body cars. I found this out when I tried to install rear IROC rims on the rear of my '84 Monte. I'm wondering if the 4.25" backspace is too much to work on the Malibu. Thanks in advance.
 

86GP2+2

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jul 6, 2015
25
10
3
Louisville, KY
Has anyone here used the reproduction 5 spoke 17" by 8" early '70s style Z28 rims from Year One? According to the listing on the Year One site, these rims have 4.25" backspacing. Would something like this fit on a 1980 Malibu? If so, what would be a good size tire to go with? On theYear One site, they claim that these rims will work on a third gen Camaro, and they they used a 245/45R17 tire, but I know that there is more room in the rear wheelwells on the third gen Camaro, than there is on the '78-'88 A/G body cars. I found this out when I tried to install rear IROC rims on the rear of my '84 Monte. I'm wondering if the 4.25" backspace is too much to work on the Malibu. Thanks in advance.

I am also interested in this, I have a Grand Prix 2+2 and want to run the 17" Rally's, but I am afraid anything over 4.00" backspacing won't fit.
 

awdblazer

Master Mechanic
Dec 12, 2013
314
80
28
i have 15x8 corvette ralleys
just put on 255/60/15 bfg radial ta
had to cut about 3/16 off the wheel well lip
it takes a lot to roll these fenders!! they are so thick!!!
 

86GP2+2

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jul 6, 2015
25
10
3
Louisville, KY
I ordered and installed the YearOne 17x8 rallys with 245/45r17 tires. I think the tires are too small. I just got cheap tires that I'll burn off eventually anyway. I need to find a taller tire for the rear I think. 4.5" backspacing. Plenty of room, no rub.
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86GP2+2

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jul 6, 2015
25
10
3
Louisville, KY
I ordered and installed the YearOne 17x8 rallys with 245/45r17 tires. I think the tires are too small. I just got cheap tires that I'll burn off eventually anyway. I need to find a taller tire for the rear I think. 4.5" backspacing. Plenty of room, no rub. View attachment 49870 View attachment 49871
Those rims look great on the car, but I think you're right-you could use a taller tire.
I've been trying to find something, but no dice so far.
 

david lehman

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jul 4, 2016
30
1
8
la quinta ca.
I tend to agree with "ds". When GM commissioned the 215/65x15 tire back in the 80's, it was designed to replace the 205/70 14 with a similar diameter, but wider 15" combo. A little research time on the tire mfr's websites would be time well spent. Speaking as a retired autocrosser and circle track racer, I personally would never mount up a tire on one of my cars that had less load capacity than the OEM size. Years ago, before low profile tires were plentiful, the lowrider dudes would stretch out 5.60-15 VW Beetle tires on 7 or 8 inch wheels for their Impalas or other two ton cars because it looked cool. Maybe that's why "low and slow" was the style, since taking a fast corner on a tire designed for half the weight load was near suicidal. Sure, that's an extreme, but I hope I made my point. Remember, the highest load in cornering is on the outside front wheel, so it's definitely not the place to compromise performance for looks. As I said, do a little research, and you're sure to find a tire combination that both looks good and outperforms OEM. You might consider going with a 235/60-14 with your 255/60 -15 rears. You'll still have rake and the "big and littles" look, but enough front tire to out-perform the stock setup in a corner.

Sorry for being long-winded; This week's sermon is now ended.

Bill
If you're referring to a 2WD S-Blazer or S-Truck, they used a similar 5-spoke steelie to the base Camaro wheels of the late 80's -early 90's. The 15X7's I have measure at 3.75 backspacing, about ideal for any G-body.

Bill
WILL 275 60 15 FIT ON MY 85 ELCO 15 8 WELD WHEELS 5 INCH BS WITH 1 INCH SPACERS
 

POONTACKLE

n00b
Jul 1, 2016
1
0
1
WHATS THE BIGGEST TIRE ANYONE HAS EVER MOUNTED ON A REAR 15x8 WITH THE CORRECT BS ON THE BACK OF A 78-81 MALIBU??? NOT TRYIN TO BUST IN ON THE THREAD SORRY
 
Sep 4, 2015
1
0
1
Columbus, OH
Hello, has anyone ever put baby moons on their ride? I'm in an '85 Bonneville with the original wheels, I believe they are 10 1/8" nubs. Does anybody have a recomendation on where to get a set? I know Mr. Gasket sells a set with very mixed reviews, but they are cheap (working on a college student budget). I realize this is probably the wrong thread for this, but I couldn't find much else on wheels.
 

horners85regal

Greasemonkey
Jul 20, 2011
139
17
18
Trenton Ontario Canada
305 45 17 installed no frame notch or tub, just cut the lip in the rear wheel wells, and it is the same diameter as a 275 60 15! I know it's an old thread just wanted to update :)
Oh and I have 17x9.5 wheels, with 5.5" backspace running 1 1/4" adapters so I have the ability to do my 8.8 swap in the future
 

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