15x7 to 16x8 upgrade... now what?

[Bandit5]

I put on some polished aluminum IROC style wheels to replace the late model 15" IROC wheels. I put on 245/50/R16's all the way around(now 255/50/R16 in rear), but the front has a bit of a rubbing problem on the inside. My body guy says there is no room to move anythign and that I need thinner tires. What is the thinnest I can go? I was thinking either 225/55/R16. If I can't go that thin, then 235/50/R16 is my next choice. What do you all think?

[MrDude_1]

make more clearance.

use a hammer.
:)

[Bandit5]

Funny. :)



But my real question is.... Will 225 tires fit on an 8" wide wheel?

[icychicken]

Unfortunately, Yes 225s will fit. You should however be able to fit the 245s no problem. When was the last time you had an alignment done?

[Bandit5]

I had the alignment done about two months ago... right after I installed my PST Polygraphite Front End Kit. The alignment went great, but the rubbing seems due to the tires being too wide.

On a side note, I went into a wholesale warehouse that also carried tires. The tech guys didn't really know anything, but their guide book helped me out. From what I saw, the Z28 and IROC came with 16x8 and 245/50/R16, but the RS (mine) only had 15x7's. Then on the guide where it said "+1", the tech told me it meant 1" in both wheel hight and width, happened to say 255/55/R16. So I guess I was right. Now all I have to do is figure out which tires to go with.

Back to the cause of the problem: I guess there are some clearance differences on the front end between the Z28/IROC and the RS/base model in the '90-'92 years. But I am no expert on it.

[Corey]

A very little bit of rubbing if you are turning the wheel all the way is normal but there shouldn't be any problem. What trips most people up (including shops) is that the front and rear wheels have different offsets. They are marked front and rear on the inside near the lug holes. Make sure that is right because it is very difficult to look at them and know, especially on iroc wheels.

:cool:

[Bandit5]

But since mine is the RS model, there is no different offset for the rear. The wheels on my car are all fronts. Regardless of them being all the same size, they are still the right size for the front, so that shouldn't be the problem. A friend of mine suggested that the offset could be the culprit. The wheels I hae are polished aluminum IROC wheels from www.performancewheeloutlet.com . I assume they are made close to OEM standards. The rubbing is pretty bad when I turn the wheel all the way around. I will get then new tires in a few weeks or so, then use these for a nice burnout. Too bad... I liked those tires too.

[Corey]

Well anyway as long as you got front wheels in the front, I would just check to make sure. The RS spindles I think should cause those wheels to stick out even farther than an iroc or t/a, so I would think if anything you would need 4 rears, because the rear axle is the same no matter the car. :shrug:

[RICH92RS350]

My 92 RS came with 16x8" front and rear, (different offsets) and
245/55-16's. I now have 245-50-16's in front and 255-50-16's in the rear and none of them rub anything.
-Rich-