17" wheel sizing help

[rennat_2006]

1971 nova tubular control arms up front and im thinking lowered an inch or two. Not sure though but will be pulling coils out shortly to install those a arms so i guess i can compare. Originally was a 6cyl car so maybe those are still in it and giving me an inch or so drop with a v8? Ls1 camaro brakes. Will be running inner fender wells.

Rear appears to be stock height and ive inboarded the shocks to clear ls1 brakes. Fenders lips have been rolled by past owner and ive got the typical slight rub on the inside of the fender well on the right side every now and then.

Car had bigs and littles on it before, 15x3.5" with 2.5" backspacing up front and 15x8" in the rear with 4.5" backspacing. 165/80r15's and 255/60r15's.

About ready to order some 17" wheels but im real hung up on the fronts in width and backspacing and right now had planned on sticking with a 8" wheel in the rear with 4.5 or so backspacing since i know they fit, not throwing out the idea of going 9 or 10 in rear but then im back to drawing board not knowing if theyll fit. Other thing i worry about is handling with 10" wheels, i had a tahoe that the past owner put 20x10 wheels on with 305 tires and it followed every rut in the road and was a complete handful to drive. So bad i thought the front end was shot in it but thats all it was, definetely dont want that again.

Anyways what do you guys recomend? I still want a little sidewall on the tires and the car will be used mostly as a cruiser with some autocross and drag races every once in a blue moon.

Thanks

[astroracer]

What you want to stay away from are the "rubberband" style ultra-low profile tires. They cause a lot of harness and give the vehicle a hay wagon ride. I ran Nitto NT450's on my truck for years and was very happy with them. The 50 series sidewall gives plenty of cushion for street driving. I ran 255-50's in front and 275-50's in the rear.
If you stick with the 255's in back you can run the same width wheel you had in the 15's Maybe take the opportunity to bump the offset a bit to the outside to eliminate the tire rub on the seatbelt hump. Check the distance you currently have between the sidewall and the wheel lip. If you have an inch or so you could change the offset of the wheel to 4.25 to push it out a bit.
Do some measuring, you may be able to stuff a 275 in back with the correct offset on your wheels.
Mark

[USAZR1]

On the rear, a 17x9.5 wheel w5.75" backspace will fit your Nova. A 275/40/17 will work and that size is easy to find. A 10" wide wheel won't fit w/o mods.
For the front, a 17x8 w/4.5" backspace should fit fine.

[rennat_2006]

Perfect i will have to figure out exactly what sizes/backspacing is available and decide from there.

Just to confirm you meant 9.5" on the rear not 9" even correct? I ask just cuz kinda surprised a 9.5 will fit but not a 10"

[USAZR1]

Search function is your friend. :help: https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/106398-Widest-wheels-on-68-72-nova