Will my car look "higher" if I go from 16->17" ?
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I have a 4th gen base firebird and I am thinking of changing my stock 16" 5-star wheels with 17" on 275/40/17 tires. Right now my car is completely stock. I am just worried if changing to 17" will make my car's stance look higher. Every now and again I'll see pics here of cars with 17 inch wheels, and there looks to be a significant space/height in the wheel well. I don't want to mess around with having to spend yet more money to lower my car as a result of changing to new wheels/tires.
Thanks for any help.
Thanks for any help.
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Uh i think that would be the same height as your 16's.... i think. You shouldn't notice anything really. For instance 315/35/17 is the same size as 245/55/16 is the same size as 275/40/17.
Thats why people go to 275/40/17 up front 315/35/17 out back. Same size but the width helps out with handling/traction/looks.
Thats why people go to 275/40/17 up front 315/35/17 out back. Same size but the width helps out with handling/traction/looks.
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Originally Posted by Fibbado
Uh i think that would be the same height as your 16's.... i think. You shouldn't notice anything really. For instance 315/35/17 is the same size as 245/55/16 is the same size as 275/40/17.
Thats why people go to 275/40/17 up front 315/35/17 out back. Same size but the width helps out with handling/traction/looks.![Devil](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_devil.gif)
Thats why people go to 275/40/17 up front 315/35/17 out back. Same size but the width helps out with handling/traction/looks.
![Devil](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_devil.gif)
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Originally Posted by Fibbado
Uh i think that would be the same height as your 16's.... i think. You shouldn't notice anything really. For instance 315/35/17 is the same size as 245/55/16 is the same size as 275/40/17.
Thats why people go to 275/40/17 up front 315/35/17 out back. Same size but the width helps out with handling/traction/looks.![Devil](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_devil.gif)
Thats why people go to 275/40/17 up front 315/35/17 out back. Same size but the width helps out with handling/traction/looks.
![Devil](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_devil.gif)
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by the way.. joez.. get the 17s and lower it. It doesnt cost that much more $ and you will love the stance. Look at my old red Z in my Sig. It had sportlines and had the perfect stance. It looked mean as hell coming and going with the 315s in the back.
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naw, it'll actually "appear" lower, because you'll have more wheel and less tire, it seems to fill the wheel well better....the fender gap will be the same because the actual overall diameter is almost the same.....when i went with the same switch it seemed that way....all though my car was also lowered 2" already.
![](http://detroitwheeliedog.com/v-web/gallery/albums/05zpics/kdrive1.sized.jpg)
![](http://detroitwheeliedog.com/v-web/gallery/albums/05zpics/100_0948.sized.jpg)
silver wheels = 16", gunmetal = 17"
![](http://detroitwheeliedog.com/v-web/gallery/albums/05zpics/kdrive1.sized.jpg)
![](http://detroitwheeliedog.com/v-web/gallery/albums/05zpics/100_0948.sized.jpg)
silver wheels = 16", gunmetal = 17"
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Originally Posted by Donohue96M6Z28
on a lowered car you cant notice a difference. on a stock height car. you can.
maybe you're right, but i can't wrap my mind around it
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I agree, the overall diameter is the same, the car cannot possibly be higher, it is a visual illusion. However, the reason some might seem higher is alot of people take pictures of their cars right after new wheels are put on, after the suspension has been hanging for awhile, it may just need to settle, but I doubt that difference is noticeable.
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Hey guys, thanks for all the replies so far. Here's an example of what I mean... I am quoting something from SS4Luck with pics of his car (no offence SS4Luck, I love the wheels on your car and this is what got me interested).
Can anyone tell me what has gone "wrong" with the height issue here.....
Can anyone tell me what has gone "wrong" with the height issue here.....
Originally Posted by SS4Luck
I know they arent chrome ones, but they are rebels lol
I dont knowe about hubcentric rings...whatever those are, i just threw mine on, i had 275/40/17 all the way arond with no problems at all, but now i have 245/40/17 BFG sports and 285/40/17 BFG KDW... as seen in pictures, still have no problems whatsoever
![](http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/SS4Luck/The%20SS/ParkingLot2.jpg)
![](http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/SS4Luck/The%20SS/Dirt7.jpg)
![](http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/SS4Luck/The%20SS/Dirt15.jpg)
p.s. i know my car needs to be lowered
I dont knowe about hubcentric rings...whatever those are, i just threw mine on, i had 275/40/17 all the way arond with no problems at all, but now i have 245/40/17 BFG sports and 285/40/17 BFG KDW... as seen in pictures, still have no problems whatsoever
![](http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/SS4Luck/The%20SS/ParkingLot2.jpg)
![](http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/SS4Luck/The%20SS/Dirt7.jpg)
![](http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/SS4Luck/The%20SS/Dirt15.jpg)
p.s. i know my car needs to be lowered
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Originally Posted by Fibbado
Uh i think that would be the same height as your 16's.... i think. You shouldn't notice anything really. For instance 315/35/17 is the same size as 245/55/16 is the same size as 275/40/17.
Thats why people go to 275/40/17 up front 315/35/17 out back. Same size but the width helps out with handling/traction/looks.![Devil](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_devil.gif)
Thats why people go to 275/40/17 up front 315/35/17 out back. Same size but the width helps out with handling/traction/looks.
![Devil](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_devil.gif)
245/50-16 = 275/40-17 = 315/35-17
not
245/55-16
just a friendly correction there
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HERE'S the site i use to find the right size tires
but as far as whether or not the car will appear higher or lower or the same all depends on the specific tire you use and the design/color of the wheels themselves. when using the correct size tire, the car will not actually be any higher or lower, but the optical illusion created by the combination of the wheel/tire may make it appear to be higher or lower. there's not really much you'll be able to do except just give it a try and see how you like it.
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Has anyone had a chance to look at the photos of SS4Luck's gold Camaro above? Any comments/input on why the car ends up looking so high? ie. the distance between the tire and fender.
Is there a difference in the stock ride height between a Firebird V6, Formula and a Trans AM? Or is it only the WS6 and SS which are lower and the other models are all a standard height?
Is there a difference in the stock ride height between a Firebird V6, Formula and a Trans AM? Or is it only the WS6 and SS which are lower and the other models are all a standard height?