I wanted to ask here as i've come to respect the opinions of everyone here. I got a set of 15 x 8.5 inch wheels from a friend that wasn't using them. The markings are worn so i've figured between a 3.75 and 4 inch backspacing. Would these work ok on an 86 Grand Prix with 225/60 r15 tires or would I run into issues with the tires rubbing the fenders. Thanks for any input on this. I'd hate to buy tires and find out they are either going to get destroyed by rubbing or worse my fenders get damaged. If a smaller tire size would work let me know please. Thanks again.
Wheel Issues
- Thread starter jordan1575
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backspacing is very easy to check if you're not sure. Just take a straight 2-by-4 and put it across the back of your wheel, then measure down from there to the mounting surface... That will give you the true backspacing of your wheel.
Generally, 4" backspacing is ideal for these cars. I've heard of many people using as much as 4.5", but others struggling with even 4"... this just means that not one car is like the other, and you won't know until you try. The stock wheels on these cars had 4" backspacing, and if that is what you are using now, than it should work.
I would be causious of using 8.5" wide rims in the front however... If you do not run into a back spacing issue, than you will definately run into an issue with the wheels sticking out too far... 8.5" is just too wide for the front...
Also, I would use a wider tire than a 225/60R15 on such a wide wheel... That size can be made to work, but is not ideal. I would look at something past 245. You can even go as wide as 275... just be carefull about tire rub in the rear. A common tire used on a 15x8 rim on G-body cars are 255 or 275 in the rear, and anything from 205 to 245 in the front.
I have experimented alot on my 83 GP (and similar cars)... currently I am using 16x8 camaro wheels with 245/50R16 tires all around. However, because the backspacing is slightly larger than 4" on all of these, I am having to use spacers, and it is generally a tight fit. I have also used 15x8 ralley wheels, with 4" backspacing, and 225front and 255rear with great results.
Generally, 4" backspacing is ideal for these cars. I've heard of many people using as much as 4.5", but others struggling with even 4"... this just means that not one car is like the other, and you won't know until you try. The stock wheels on these cars had 4" backspacing, and if that is what you are using now, than it should work.
I would be causious of using 8.5" wide rims in the front however... If you do not run into a back spacing issue, than you will definately run into an issue with the wheels sticking out too far... 8.5" is just too wide for the front...
Also, I would use a wider tire than a 225/60R15 on such a wide wheel... That size can be made to work, but is not ideal. I would look at something past 245. You can even go as wide as 275... just be carefull about tire rub in the rear. A common tire used on a 15x8 rim on G-body cars are 255 or 275 in the rear, and anything from 205 to 245 in the front.
I have experimented alot on my 83 GP (and similar cars)... currently I am using 16x8 camaro wheels with 245/50R16 tires all around. However, because the backspacing is slightly larger than 4" on all of these, I am having to use spacers, and it is generally a tight fit. I have also used 15x8 ralley wheels, with 4" backspacing, and 225front and 255rear with great results.
thought this might help as well...
here is a shot of my GP's slicks, which are a total of 13" wide (similar to a 295 tire), mounted on 15x8 rims that have 3.75" backspacing. Even with such a small backspacing, I am still having to use 5/8" spacers to prevent tire rub. This gives me a total of only 3 - 1/8" backspacing... and only keeps the tires a 1/4" off the frame rails...
these car's weren't designed to have steam rollers stuffed in the back wheel wells... ha ha
here is a shot of my GP's slicks, which are a total of 13" wide (similar to a 295 tire), mounted on 15x8 rims that have 3.75" backspacing. Even with such a small backspacing, I am still having to use 5/8" spacers to prevent tire rub. This gives me a total of only 3 - 1/8" backspacing... and only keeps the tires a 1/4" off the frame rails...
these car's weren't designed to have steam rollers stuffed in the back wheel wells... ha ha
Thanks for the information. I was considering getting some cheap used tires from a scrap yard just to see how they fit. I may just get different rims for the grand prix and use the ones I have now on my truck...lol
jordan1575 said:
good call...
also, you probably already knew this, but the bolt pattern on our cars also work on S10 and Jimmy trucks... but not the Astro vans or Silverados, or 1500s and bigger.
ours: 5x4.75
1500: 5x5.5
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