Help Deciding wheel size please.

[Thisisyourcaptin]

https://vintagewheelsus.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_62_94&products_id=591

I am going with the pin drive conversion from Vintage Wheels USA. I would like the 15s as I feel they look the best. How has your performance been with the powered FF brakes and upgraded brake pads and rotors and 15s?

I would like 15s as well as I feel they will handle better on the road as far as my car being a daily driver and back roads driver. I have no plants on taking it on the track. Just not something I am interested in.

I know the larger 17s would allow for powered Willwoods and supposedly handle better due to the lower tire profile. I also feel they would transmits more road “noise” and vibrations.

I do want good brakes and just want to make sure I can upgrade the brakes for the 15 inch wheels and still get good performance out of them.

Thoughts.

Nate

[edwardb]

My feedback FWIW: Check the tires available for 15" wheels and factor that into your decision. The selection isn't great and based on industry trends, won't get any better. Maybe even less. I personally haven't done a build with 15's. But have done 17's and 18's and personally I believe your concern about noise and vibrations isn't warranted. These cars aren't quiet to begin with. Tire noise just isn't a factor. Vibration? Not sure why you would think that. A properly mounted and balanced tire isn't going to vibrate. If you had said ride quality due to the lower profile and less sidewall, OK. But I've found the ride on the cars I've build with the larger sizes rides just fine. I get the concern about a vintage look. That alone drives the decision for many. But for every other measure, I don't see the downside of the larger sizes.

As for pin drive, hopefully you've done your homework on what that means for suspension options (IRS vs. solid axle) and the required optional parts. Factory Five still supports pin drive but it's somewhat limited. Be realistic about it including your concern about ride quality. I'll leave it at that.

[Thisisyourcaptin]

My feedback FWIW: Check the tires available for 15" wheels and factor that into your decision. The selection isn't great and based on industry trends, won't get any better. Maybe even less. I personally haven't done a build with 15's. But have done 17's and 18's and personally I believe your concern about noise and vibrations isn't warranted. These cars aren't quiet to begin with. Tire noise just isn't a factor. Vibration? Not sure why you would think that. A properly mounted and balanced tire isn't going to vibrate. If you had said ride quality due to the lower profile and less sidewall, OK. But I've found the ride on the cars I've build with the larger sizes rides just fine. I get the concern about a vintage look. That alone drives the decision for many. But for every other measure, I don't see the downside of the larger sizes.

As for pin drive, hopefully you've done your homework on what that means for suspension options (IRS vs. solid axle) and the required optional parts. Factory Five still supports pin drive but it's somewhat limited. Be realistic about it including your concern about ride quality. I'll leave it at that.

The website above sells the pin drive kits and wheels that are designed for IRS. Talking with them it sounds like it includes everything you need for the conversion minus tires. I’ll look into tires and availability.

From what you are talking about, does pin drive affect the way the car will drive or handle?

As for vibrations and noise I am coming from an import car back ground, but that was 20 years ago. Then low profile 17s and 18s handled better but also offered a harsher ride for everyday street driving. That was my rational as well as the original look of the car.

[rich grsc]

I have 15" pin drive. I love the look, but finding good performance tire is getting very hard. I run AVONS, $$$, but the company has been sold and not sure if it will continue to make 15" tires. For just a street car 'Cooper Cobras" are a fair option.

[CraigS]

I understand your thoughts, but going w/ 15s sure will cause a lot of compromises. Gordon Levy can help w/ decent brakes fitting 15in wheels. I believe EdwardB is correct in that pin drive requires solid axle rear suspension. My opinion is I'd gladly go to 17s so I could have IRS which would override any slightly harsher ride of 17s vs 15s.

[Mike.Bray]

I went with these (https://vintagewheelsus.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_62_94&products_id=634) pin drive wheels and they are very nice. They are actually made by American Racing. I had 15" pin drives on a Cobra I built years ago but I wouldn't do it today, the 17's look so much better and much better tire selection.

I went with the 3 link rear end, narrowed 2" from Forte. I also went with the narrowed pin drive front end which was an exercise.

You can check my build thread for details of what I did for the pin drive.