Whats the best size Welds to put on?

[Ron84TType]

Hey guys, it would be great if anyone could help me out here. Im looking to get some Weld Pro Stars for my 84 T-Type. Rear would be 15x8 but not sure of the best backspace so the tires wont rub on frame or inner fender. Whats the widest you could go without rubbing and how tall? Front would be a 15x7. What would be a good combination of tires for front and rear. Mainly street driving. All the specs for the backspace, and bolt pattern would be great. Want to get the correct ones. Thanks for all your help guys.

[Keller]

5 x 4.75" bolt pattern

4" backspace. If not available, get a 3.5" backspace, flip it over, polish the backside, and run it reversed. It will then be 4" backspace.

Run a 235/60-15 front and 275/50-15 rear. Those will be the proper height. BFG Radial T/A's on all four corners will work. A few stickier options available for rears. Many other options for fronts.

[PaCemkr86]

15x8 with 3.5 backspace here

http://www.ccstreetscene.com/multimedia/wfo/DSC01820.jpg

[Keller]

Those flipped, or ran as 3.5"?

[PaCemkr86]

speicial ordered Bogarts

[Ron84TType]

Well talking to the tech at Summit said the OEM specs they have for the buicks is 4.5 backspace. Not sure if they have a 4 backspace. This is why i ask you guys since we all have the same body cars. Would a 3.5 backspace do just fine also? not flipping it either. thanks guys.

[Keller]

First, Summit is incorrect.

The 3.5" backspace puts a wider tire closer to the outer fenderwell. In some cases, the tire may graze the trim. Depending on the tire you select, this may or may not matter. I have 8.5" wide wheels with this backspace, 275/50's on the back, and I wish I had 4" backspace. Should be a bit easier fit with 8" width if you have the 3.5" backspace.

My opinion; worth what you paid for it. Do as you wish.

[Ron84TType]

Ok guys thanks for the input. Now heres the wheels that i have.

For the rear 15x8 with 4.5 backspace. What would be the best size tire for them? I was possibly going with 245 50 15 to start with.

For the front 15x7 with 3.5 backspace. What would be the best size tire for these? I was thinking of going with 235 50 or 60 15.

Any info on this would be great. Want to get it all to fit and look right without any rubbing. thanks alot guys.

[PaCemkr86]

let me know how that 4.5 backspace works out.. Im running 3.5 backspace on 15x8 on both my Buicks.. and i dont see how a 4.5 backspace could fit..

here is my T with 275-50-15

http://www.ccstreetscene.com/multimedia/phil/ttype3.JPG

and these are 28x9 " aka 275-60-15"

http://www.ccstreetscene.com/multimedia/phil/Buick%20stuff/Pace3.jpg

[Ron84TType]

Well, the guys where i bought the wheels said the 15x8 4.5 backspace would be fine even running 275 50 15 on it. The owner of the performance shop was the one who said it would be fine. Cross my fingers and hope he's right. What size tire would be good for the front? Thanks for your help guys.

[Keller]

The 4.5" backspace won't work IMHO...but...let us know. You may need spacers so they don't rub the frame.

I would suggest a 235/60 for the front. Maybe a stock 215/65. All depends on the look and ride you want.

[James West]

Ron,

I run a Prime wheel which is an exact copy of the 15" x 8.5" Weld Pro Star wheels that have a 4" backspace with 275/50-15 M/T drag radials and they fit fine. I am using aluminum drums which are just a little thicker than the stock iron brake drums.


James West
Omaha, NE.



Well, the guys where i bought the wheels said the 15x8 4.5 backspace would be fine even running 275 50 15 on it. The owner of the performance shop was the one who said it would be fine. Cross my fingers and hope he's right. What size tire would be good for the front? Thanks for your help guys.

[AT7WE2]

I've run both drag stars and drag lites - 15x8 with 3.5" backspacing on the rear. It's a perfect fit with 275/50 drag radials or radial TA's. In every case the outer-most surface of the tires were just slightly inside the top edge of the rear wheel wells.

I've never heard of running a wheel flipped over (I'm not saying you *can't* do it)- and with the way the 3.5" back spacing fit on my cars, I don't know why you'd want or need to. :dunno:

HTH

[Overboost]

Phil, is that an LS1 reflection I see in your car....well...by gollie.....I think it is...
whats the BS your running on your fronts? mine look like crap and they are 5x3.5 and I dont like them. I was going to go with 8x3.5 because I like the fatter front tires. I dont care about the extra 1/10'th skinnies give me.

[PaCemkr86]

this is what you see in the reflection

http://www.ccstreetscene.com/multimedia/wfo/DSC01819.jpg



mine are the 3.5 rims in the front no backspace

http://krylonracing.com/paceGN2/PICT0078.JPG

[Overboost]

oh no, on the pic of the red car, I can di-stink-ly see a silver/platinum 2002 trans am, I see the whale tail spoiler and the stock 5 stars.

[PaCemkr86]

you are correct i was parked next to one at a car show.. he is a fellow WFO team member

[PaCemkr86]

Well talking to the tech at Summit said the OEM specs they have for the buicks is 4.5 backspace. Not sure if they have a 4 backspace. This is why i ask you guys since we all have the same body cars. Would a 3.5 backspace do just fine also? not flipping it either. thanks guys.


did you get your wheels installed on your Buick?? post up the results and photos ..

[Overboost]

I am putting some spacers on my wheels to correct my back space. they are slightly off from one side to the other. bad frame bushings. its cheaper to space wheels than bushings.

[Keller]

Even cheaper to buy properly fitting wheels. ;)

[Overboost]

wheels are right, its just my body is slightly shifted due to bad mounts. until I can get it to a shop to get it "re-aligined" on the frame, spacers will have to do.

[Keller]

Mounts aside, every car will be mounted slightly differently.

[PaCemkr86]

Ron how did your wheels fit??

[Ron84TType]

Hey guys thanks for all the input. Been very helpful. I finally got the new welds in. Took 10 weeks to get. Since now Weld was bought out by American Racing. The new sizes are Front 15x7 3.5 backspace. Putting a 225 60 15 tire on then to start. Rear 15x8 3.5 backspace. Putting 265 50 15 tire on them to start. I have to put the wheels on the car first just to double check clearance. You guys think the combinations i have will do just fine? No rubbing on the inside and outside? Let me know your opinions. Oh also finally got off my but to order a walbro 340 pump. Car had to die on my pulling it in my garage one day. Started back up and the pump was surging. Loud to soft. I think its on its way out soon. It was only a high volume pump. Hoping the walbro 340 will pump soo much better and get better performance. Thanks for everything guys. Talk to ya all later.

[Keller]

You guys think the combinations i have will do just fine?
Neither is quite 26" tall, but they should fit OK.