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View Full Version : Back Spacing-1970 Firebird/lookin' For Wheels & Tires To Buy Also !



ALLACTIONMAN
09-19-2004, 08:14 AM
Hi !
New to the board(rookie).
Looking for someone, anyone(I know you are out there), who has maxxed out their 17" tire/wheel combo for this car(70-81).
No rubbing, etc.
Any info would be greatly appreciated !
I have followed the links, no one really states if their suspensions/wheel wells/lips, etc. are modified.
I am running a 16x9 1/2 on the back w/a 255/50/16 and 16x8 1/2 on the front w/a 225/55/16 there.
I would like 17x11 & 17x9 or 9 & 1/2 front...prefer the latter,larger size.
I have 700lb coils on the front, 160lb leafs on the back...
Global West suspension front to back(no rubber on car), so, no suspension deflection to worry about.
Right now I have about 2 inches front & 3 inches rear of space between the 16's & the wheel lip(vertical).
I mounted the 9x1/2's on the front w/no appearant clearance issues.
The rear measures from the widest part ov the section width ov the tire to any interference=1 & 3/4"s.
I know someone has run a big combo w/out mod's, let me know !
I can't get any sleep, I need to get a set soon !
FOR SALE ?
Let me know what ya got, cash in hand.
Thx! :bananna2:

yody
09-19-2004, 07:32 PM
check out hotchkis's orange camaro, they have a link to it on their homepage if you do some navigating. They put 17x11,17x9.5, they list the backspacing #'s, although every second gen i have seen with 11's on the back, the rim stuck past the quarter panel lip by just a hair
Uh-Oh looks like these second gen firebirds are starting to be more popular! :camaro:

ALLACTIONMAN
09-20-2004, 07:09 AM
Hmmm, could'nt track any specs on the Z-28.
Giving them a call today, though.
Thx for the reply, what size 18's r u runnin' ?
Nice car !
Once I can figure out how to post pix I will throw mine on.
Anyone else out there with some experience in this area (back spacing,max wheel tire combos w/o body mods)?
Thx :help!:

ALLACTIONMAN
09-20-2004, 07:10 AM
Whoops, I mean 19's ?!?!?!?

yody
09-20-2004, 08:29 AM
only 19x10 19x8.5. i could of went 11, and 10 but i didnt' want to deal with any headaches, or wheels sticking out

DB Z28
09-20-2004, 08:52 AM
i,m running 17x8 245 45 17 front 6in backspacing , rear now 17x9
275.40 17 6 in backspacing . going with 17x11 with 6 in backspacing 315 rear tire this is on a 79 728

ALLACTIONMAN
09-20-2004, 07:15 PM
Have you test fit the current rear wheel/tire combo on the front ov your car ?
Have you tried the 17x11 yet ?
Like, someone elses you could test fit.
Thx :camaro:

ALLACTIONMAN
09-20-2004, 07:17 PM
Yodi, what is the back spacing on the 19's & what is the ride like ???
Thx :secret:

yody
09-20-2004, 07:32 PM
i forget the backspacing #'s. i will try and look them up. It isnt running yet so i can't tell you about the ride, however i picked tires with a decent sidewall so they won't be like rubberbands, hopefully the ride wil be decent

ALLACTIONMAN
09-22-2004, 05:44 AM
Ther has to be more "pro-tourer's" out there with big tire wheel combo's
that FIT the second gen. Firebird
Help a brother, thx
E-mail me if you want @ [email protected]

yody
09-22-2004, 11:06 AM
sometimes you just have to do the work yourself if you want positive results, it never pays to just have someone tell you what will work. What if someone tells you what works, and you put it on your car and it doesnt' work?

ALLACTIONMAN
09-22-2004, 07:20 PM
I have measured & measured & talked to about a dozen people w/conflicting stories...
I am holding no one responsible for results, just hoping someone had a working package...not a mistake.
I get alot ov "I wouldn't suggest it", etc.
Someone out ov all the second gen's should have found the magical back space, I would think...
So, instead ov calling around I figured I would try a huge group.
thx

ALLACTIONMAN
09-26-2004, 11:14 AM
Well, no luck w/back spacin' info or a good deal on some 17's yet so.... :secret:
In the wind, 2 lane black-top is where I be... :camaro:
"Seat time" is what it's all about ! :drool:
See ya on the road or not. :comp3:
Thx for everyone who thru in their 2 cents worth, it is appreciated.
See ya on another topic ! :dunno:
Cheers !
Off to the "vanishing point" in "60 seconds"... :seizure:

Todd
09-26-2004, 01:40 PM
The Hotchkis Camaro is using the following setup:

Front 17x9.5" with 5.5" BS
275/40/17

Rear 17x11" with 5.75" BS
315/35/17

Hope this helps.

MrQuick
09-26-2004, 02:57 PM
You know when it comes to BS i've alway found that every car is different.I just watched Chuck Hanson on HP TV and he used a mount mate and came up with 17 x 11' with a 6 1/2" BS to fit a 315...no mods...BS alright. I've never had a 6" BS rim fit with no mods.Anything past 5 15/16" is gonna wack the inner well.Cut the well out and you'll wack the shock. I say find a size,get the dish the way you want and modify to fit. Its easier to modify an inner well than a quarter panel.
A 17 x 11 with a 5.75 bs is alot more realistick but I like to lower the car down on the rims. So that would not work for me.

c.schulz
09-26-2004, 04:44 PM
I ve had 17x8 with 4.5 BS and 17x9.5 with 5.5 back space with 245 and 285 with no troubles at all.Rear wheel centered up very well.But I agree with Vince, make sure sure you measure your own car.Side to side tollerences on these car are not friendly.Again measure your own car and use these numbers as a starting point.
Chris

Shayc5
09-26-2004, 05:36 PM
I've been trying to sell some 2ea. TTll's 17's to Vince for some time now.
17x11 7 3/4 bs mounted with BFG KD's 0 miles on both. $850 Shay

MrQuick
09-26-2004, 05:43 PM
Hey Shay, you still got them rims??? huuummmm ...your evil.... :naughty: damn is that with 315's?? ahhhh must resist :seizure:

David Pozzi
09-27-2004, 05:48 PM
This was recomended for a second gen Camaro:
(FRONT) American Racing Torq Thrust II 17x8 w/5"bs and BFG G-Force KDW 245/45/17
(REAR) American Racing Torq Thrust II 17x9.5 w/5.5"bs and BFG G-Force KDW 285/40/17

We have this combo on our 73 Camaro, only we used a 4.5" ft backspace since that was all that was available from vintage Wheel works. It works fine, no rubbing, maybe not as wide as you want to go.
David

ALLACTIONMAN
09-28-2004, 06:37 AM
THX GUYS (CHRIS,TODD,DAVID & VINCE) :hail:
HOTCHKIS SAYS "I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THAT WIDTH" (HAD TO BEAT THE PISS OUT OV THE CAR). :guilty:
THE 8 & 9 1/2 WITH 5 FRONT BS & 6 REAR IS WHAT I'M RUNNIN' NOW, NO PROBS.
KEEP THE MEASUREMENTS COMING ! :fingersx:
CHECK OUT WWW.MULLHOLLANDRACEWAY.ORG :cool:
FUN TIMES, GREAT ROADS...TONS OV GOOD INFO ! :idea:
PEDAL DOWN... :evil:
LATER

Hans
09-28-2004, 04:47 PM
First, I hammered in the seat belt mounting bump inside the rear wheel well. Then I measured and remeasured using threaded rod stuck thru a 1x3 that I bolted to the rear axle. I really wanted to go with a wider tire but decided to be really safe: 17 x 10 Budnik Tiller Fat Lip with 5.5 bs in the rear; 17x8 with 4.5 in the front. 285 Nittos in the rear and 245s in the front. Hotchkis springs, Comp Engineering bars. It does not appear that there will be clearance problems (on my car) with this combination.

ALLACTIONMAN
09-28-2004, 07:51 PM
SORR...WWW.MULHOLLANDRACEWAY.ORG :seizure:
THX FOR THE BUDNICK INFO :3gears:

OLDFLM
10-25-2004, 12:33 PM
Here's the combo for my 72 Formula...

245/45/17f 17x8 w/4.5"bs (25.68" tall)
285/40/18r 18x9.5 w/5.5bs (26.97" tall)

Frank Bramble's 69 Firebird:

235/45/17f 295/45/18r (a 28.45" tall tire!)

StreetKing's 73 TA:

255/40/18f 18x8 4.5bs (26" tall)
295/35/18r 18x10 5.5bs (26.1" tall) and no mods!

Don Seefeldt's 2nd Gen Camaro:

255/40/17f (25.03" tall)
285/40/17r (25.97" tall)

I went with my combo b/c I wanted a taller tire to fill out the wheelwells... but can't afford the 19" CCW like Cody has... NV

Hope this helps...

Martin71RS
10-25-2004, 11:22 PM
see here for my info....
http://home.planet.nl/~weerl000/camaro/camaro20.html
Martin

a73formula
10-27-2004, 09:11 AM
I have a 73 formula that I am running 17x11 ttII's on the back with 6" bs and only have a slight rub on the shocks during hard cornering but my rear suspension is still stock. The outside of the wheel lines up great with the outside of the quarter but does not stick out past the lip.

ALLACTIONMAN
11-01-2004, 09:47 PM
THAT LAST POST WAS X-ACTLY WHAT I NEEDED, BUT ALL ARE GREAT !!!
Martin, I can't link to the link you left ?!?
Thx again to all !!! :revto9k:

Martin71RS
11-02-2004, 12:56 AM
try this:
http://surf.to/camaro
goto page 20......

edit: (fixed the first link too...)

Martin

a73formula
11-03-2004, 09:25 PM
Glad I could help. once you put on bigger wheels and tires like 17's - 19's you will notice a huge difference in handling. I think that was the biggest difference that I noticed on my car.

ALLACTIONMAN
11-16-2004, 09:03 PM
THX TO ALL ! :bananna2:
KEEP YOUR EYES OUT FOR A BLACK ON BLACK, BACK IN BLACK MOFO OV A '70 FORMULA FIREBIRD (PERSONAL OPINION) :evil: SHOWIN' UP IN NEW RIDES (I THINK THAT IS GONNA BE THE AREA :dunno:)AS SOON AS LARRY GETS A CHANCE TO SET ME UP (THX LARRY) :icon996: .

carbuff
11-18-2004, 09:16 AM
I used the 17x9.5 and 17x11 wheels on my 2nd gen. The front's weren't much of a problem (5.7" bs), but I was using a Martz aftermarket front subframe...

The rear's were a different story. On the driver's side, I had a 5.7" BS. On the pass side, I had a 6.2" BS. Apparantly, I learned, that GM had the axles on these cars shifted to the right 1/4" or so. This necessitated the extra BS on the pass. side, and I used a very thin spacer to put it exactly where I wanted it...

I did not modify the wheel well lips, but if I had it to do over (before painting), I would have... I didn't have any significant rubbing on the inside, but occassionally I would get rubbing on the lip. I couldn't drop the car quite as low because of this, but honestly, I didn't want the car too low anyway...

I still have some pics on my website somewhere...

http://carbuff.homeip.net/wheel_tire_rear.html

(that was a 10" trial fit tire with the 5.7" BS, so the inside clearance is the same).

Here's some other pics I took of inside clearances:

http://carbuff.homeip.net/images/wheelstires/

If you look at the big_tires_left and right pics, you can see the difference in the wheel sticking out past the fender lip. Both were tucked in slightly more than on the left side before it was all done (I had slight spacers on the left side at that point).

So, long story short... I loved the look of the 315's in the rear... However, if I were to do it again without tubbing or cutting the fender lips, I would go with a 10" or 10.5" wheel, 5.7-ish BS, and a 295-ish tire. I couldn't find a 295 width tire for a 17" rim at the time (don't know if that's changed), and that's why I went with the 315...

Good luck!
Bryan

c.schulz
11-18-2004, 03:44 PM
Have the same plan for my car as what Bryan pointed out.275 on 9" front and 295 on 10" rear.
Chris