I have a set of caliper relocation brackets on my Firebird, with these I'm running C5 rotors. I just found out that my old drag racing wheels {stock 16 inch TA wheels with 215s on them} will no longer fit.

Out of desperation, I tried to mount up my space saver spare. I actually think it might fit with the use of a spacer and a bit of caliper grinding. Problem is finding suitable tires for the 4 inch wide wheels. Skinniest regular tires I could find are 195/50/16s which require a 5-5.5 inch wheel. They are also pretty short at 23.7 inches tall.

I did a ten page search and found that one guy was using motorcycle tires up front. I think he was using a 150/60/16 or something along those lines. Do you think that running motorcycle tires would be OK? I wish I could just run the stock 135s that come on the space savers.

Finally, if my ideas of using the spacesavers is a pretty hairbrained idea,,, what are my options. I only drag race a few times a year and would rather not pay 300 bucks a piece for some esoteric front runner. Just give up and run the 17X9s with 275s?

 

CCW front runners for the C5 may work.

 

I would NOT run space saver (rim or tire) on the front for anything other than what it was intended for.... 50 miles at less than 50 mph. No offense, but you're looking to save money in the wrong area. If you're going to be racing (and obviously looking to go past 100 mph) shell out the money for the right stuff and stay safe, or don't do it at all. It's not safe or fair to you or anyone else on the track.

Just my .02

 

No offence taken, but,,, ummm,,,, I wasn't going to use the spacesaver tires. If you re-read my post, I was trying to find a 16 inch tire that would work on a 4 inch wheel {which is the rims from the spacesaver wheels}. Thanks for your .02, it's good advise!

 

I'm with this guy. Any front runner-type wheel that works on a C5 should work on yours with the big brakes...

 

My bad.... I miss-understood what you're trying to do. Good luck with the setup.

 

No problem at all. Kinda good to have folks looking out for other folks.

 

bogart makes some 16 and 17 skinnies - check sjm on the right.

 

Thanks for the info, I also need tires. Any idea on 16 or 17 inch front runner tires. Iknow that someone does make a 17 inch front runner tire but it's rather short {something like 22 inches tall}.