TheBigAL

I found a pretty good deal on a 98 unmolested T/A. I went and looked at it a few minutes ago. 1st thing that caught my eye was the back spacing on the rear. They stick out a little far my liking. He said said he'd sell me all four A.R. Torque thrusts for $500. Tires and all. The 2 back tires are 275/?/17 Toyo drag radials. The fronts are 255 Nitto 555's. The fronts look brand new. My question is, how will the 8 inch torque thrusts look in the back with a 275 mounted up? I've heard back things about running an 8 inch wheel in the rear on these cars. I may just sell the rears since they stick out about a half inch past the fenders and buy 2 just like them but the right offset. So does an 8 inch wheel really look that bad?

JD_AMG

Completely depends on the back spacing.
I have 17x11" wheels with 315/35/17 tires that sit flush with the fenders and don't stick out at all.
Either way 8" wheels are to narrow imo, these cars came with 17x9 fun the factory, anything narrower just looks off.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Regardless of the offset it's going to look narrow and wimpy lol

TheBigAL

Did you have to roll your inner fenders or anything like that to get the 315's under there? I may just go with a big tire.

bigbomber5

This.

TheBigAL

Yeah, I'm just gonna buy some 17x11s for the rear

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

I assume you meant to say "bad" things?

If so, I would stop listening to whomever to you this, as they are clearly ignorant regarding these cars. The fact is, these cars came from the factory with 8" wide wheels on all four corners, unless it was a WS6/SS/Firehawk. If it's a base '98 Trans Am then it definitely came with 16x8" stock, no question, no other possible option.

Whether or not you should keep them is all a matter of opinion, desires and goals. Having said that, if the backspacing and/or offset is wrong, then I would take a pass on the wheels regardless of width.

98CayenneT/A

I think he was talking about a 8in rim with a 275 mounted to it which in turn would be a horrible idea and look like absolute trash

JD_AMG

With stock bumpstops and a watts link, no fender rolling required.
If you are using a panhard bar you may need to roll them. Either way you will need to hammer in the inner fender wells a little so the tires don't rub under cornering.
Do NOT remove the bumpstops. You will have to jack the rear up by the pumpkin to mount the wheels, as they will touch the bumpstops when the axle is at full droop.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Perhaps; and I would agree when speaking specifically of a short sidewall tire such as a 275/40, but really a 275 fits just fine on an 8" wide wheel when used with larger aspect ratios such as 60-series on a 15" diameter wheel. I know the question here is specifically in regards to 17", but for those who may read this and plan on running a smaller diameter and taller sidewall, the answer would be different.