[Marky Dissod]

... picked up some Torq Thrust's in 17" x 8", because that's the Impala size ...

QA0 WHEEL 17" X 8.5" ALUMINUM, STYLED

 

[crm114]

QA0 WHEEL 17" X 8.5" ALUMINUM, STYLED

Strange, I wonder where I looked up the Impala wheel size. The whole reason I ordered my exact Torq Flights was because I was sure that the Impala SS had 17x8 ET14 wheels. Now when I look, every source confirms your info. I must be losing my mind.

 

[cwkamin]

Cam,

I really like the way your wagon looks with the Torq Thrust's 17x8 wheels/tires. What size tire (width) did you go with and have you experienced any rubbing issues? What offset for the wheels? If I went with the 18 for more support from the tire industry, I could just go with a slightly lower tire profile to keep the height of the tire in the same ballpark.

Thanks!

 

[crm114]

Cam,

I really like the way your wagon looks with the Torq Thrust's 17x8 wheels/tires. What size tire (width) did you go with and have you experienced any rubbing issues? What offset for the wheels? If I went with the 18 for more support from the tire industry, I could just go with a slightly lower tire profile to keep the height of the tire in the same ballpark.

Thanks!

Thanks. I went with the Impala size tire; 255/50r17. For some reason I thought my wheels at 17x8, 14mm positive offset were the Impala size, but I was mistaken. I haven't had any rubbing yet, but I had to park my Buick for the winter shortly after I had the wheels and tires installed, so I don't have a lot of miles on the combo. I noticed that there are a lot of options in 255/45r18, which has the exact same footprint as the Impala size tire.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Thanks. I went with the Impala size tire; 255/50R17.

The 18" equivalent of the OE Impala SS tire size would be
255/45R18 - 27.04" (255/50ZR17)
The 18" equivalent of the OE wagon tire size would be
255/50R18 - 28.03" (235/70R15 for 2.93 wagons or 225/75R15 for 2.56 wagons)
The 18" equivalent of the OE limo tire size would be
255/55R18 - 29.04" (235/75R15)
255mm of width and 29" of tire height is about as much fat tire meat that can get stuffed in without modifying suspension parts.

For some reason I thought my wheels at 17x8, 14mm positive offset were the Impala size, but I was mistaken.

I haven't had any rubbing yet, but I had to park my Buick for the winter shortly after I had the wheels and tires installed, so I don't have a lot of miles on the combo.
I noticed that there are a lot of options in 255/45R18, which has the exact same footprint as the Impala size tire.

Plenty of well performing options for
255/50R18
&
255/55R18
as well.

 

[Fred Kiehl]

The +14 offset could limit your turning radius. The tire is closer to the frame in the front, and since the OEM tires tend to hit the frame at hard turning angles, the wider tire/rim setup with the additional +8 offset would place the tires 3/16 closer to the frame. You can always put a 3/16" or 8 mm spacer behind the wheel if you use longer studs.

 

[95wagon]

For a given width sure , but his +14 on an 8 is only about 1/16 closer than the Impalas +6 on its 8.5
I don't disagree the reasoning, just the math.
My experience is the tire hits the sway bar not the frame.

 

[Fred Kiehl]

Mine hit both the frame and anti-roll bar with a 235-75-15 on stock OCC rims.

 

[cwkamin]

Based on everyone's input and personal choices I'd like to go with a Torq Thrust 18x8 with a 255/55R18... The stock 225/75R15 should be approx 28.3" tall and 8.9" wide, while the 255/55R18 should be 29" tall and 10" wide (this is per tiresize.com specs). It looks like there are plenty of options for this size tire as well.

Any thoughts/concerns? The American Racing website for Classic Torq Thrust II wheels states that 18"x8" wheel is only available with a 00mm offset. I don't know what the backspacing would be compared to the stock wheel..

 

[ayilar]

Here is a RMW with 18x8 Ridler 695 and Nitto 255x45ZR18 summer tires -- she may be mine by Saturday (Edit: I just acquired it! More to come in a separate thread. The OEM wheels come with the car and may replace the Ridlers for a smooth Buick ride OR I may replace the Nitto tires with Continental CrossContact LX25 in 255x55R18 to add traction and about an inch of sidewall -- I have not decided yet).