1969 Chevelle rim and brake combo

[M.F.D.B.]

Ok, so I joined here after weeks of searching Google. I have a 69 Chevelle we are currently building an L-76 motor and will be running either an LSA blower or a Centrifugal. It currently is a stock disk brake car with rear drums and 15" rims all around. Looking at Wilwood options, they offer a 15" front rotor kit, but it requires a minimum 20" rim. Originally I liked the idea of 18s and 20s as I didn't think 20s on the front would clear without rubbing but I have not found a definitive answer. I want to keep the car around stock ride height. I could go 19s up front, but then I couldn't go 15" rotor. What do you guys think?

I hate rubber band looking tires so I want something around 50 series. I have 19x10s with 40 series on my Vette and HATE the ride!

So:
20x8 ish front and 20x10 rear?
19x8 ish front? Drop down to smaller front brakes?
Something else?

[andrewb70]

If you hate rubber bands, then you don't want 20s. Also, why do you need 15" rotors?

Personally, I would go with 14" rotors in the front and run 18" wheels all around. Falken makes a 295/40-18 (27" tall) that will fit in the rear and on the front you can run 255/40-18s (26" tall). It is a great combination that will look great and have good handling, presuming you have updates suspension.

Andrew

[Yanchik]

@andrewb70

Not trying to bash, but wouldn’t a square setup provide best handling?

[raustinss]

No not necessarily... the weight bias of the car will play into that thought process

[andrewb70]

@andrewb70

Not trying to bash, but wouldn’t a square setup provide best handling?

It depends how the car is set up. Then again there are aesthetics to consider. A small stagger in width does look good on an A-body.

Andrew

[M.F.D.B.]

If you hate rubber bands, then you don't want 20s. Also, why do you need 15" rotors?

Personally, I would go with 14" rotors in the front and run 18" wheels all around. Falken makes a 295/40-18 (27" tall) that will fit in the rear and on the front you can run 255/40-18s (26" tall). It is a great combination that will look great and have good handling, presuming you have updates suspension.

Andrew

I drive a 69 Chevelle, "need" has little to do with anything, lol.

What's the difference between a 40 series on an 18 vs a 20? My current 19s have 40 series tires. While I wouldn't call them rubber bands, a slightly larger side wall would be nice.

My wife and I both love the look of tucking rim in the rear. Since I don't want to lower the car, bigger rims are the only option.

[andrewb70]

The difference is overall tire diameter. It's a Chevelle, not a dump truck. In terms of aesthetics, I think a 27" tall tire in the rear and a 26" tall tire in the front is perfect. Now go look at various tire sizes for 20" wheels and see what kind of overall tire diameter you're working with.

Andrew

[M.F.D.B.]

Will a 20x10 with 5.5 back spacing fit out back, without rolling/trimming?

Are there any issues up front running a 20x8.5?

[USAZR1]

Will a 20x10 with 5.5 back spacing fit out back, without rolling/trimming?


Yes, unless the rear quarters were replaced and poorly fitted. Then, you "might" have to mildly roll the fender lips. My suggestion would be 20x10's w/5.75" backspacing (+6 offset), if possible. I'm running that wheel spec, with 305/30/20 Nitto 555 G2's on the rear of my 70 Elco, with 2" drop. No fenders mods have been required.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2018/06/IMG_0345_750x325-1.jpg

[M.F.D.B.]

Yes, unless the rear quarters were replaced and poorly fitted. Then, you "might" have to mildly roll the fender lips. My suggestion would be 20x10's w/5.75" backspacing (+6 offset), if possible. I'm running that wheel spec, with 305/30/20 Nitto 555 G2's on the rear of my 70 Elco, with 2" drop. No fenders mods have been required.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2018/06/IMG_0345_750x325-1.jpg

Are Elco rear fenders the same as a Chevelle?

I certainly dont want to go as tiny as a 30 series but the fact you have a 2" means I should have similar clearance with stock height and a bigger sidewall.

The rims I want are the same as you have now (and my car currently has, but in 15"). The difference is the spokes are black and the lip is a deep dish bare machined (about 4" lip). The only problem is since they are discontinued, im stuck with the 5.5" back spacing of the remaining inventory. I have looked all over and have not found an alternative. =(

[USAZR1]

Are Elco rear fenders the same as a Chevelle?

I certainly dont want to go as tiny as a 30 series but the fact you have a 2" means I should have similar clearance with stock height and a bigger sidewall.

The rims I want are the same as you have now (and my car currently has, but in 15"). The difference is the spokes are black and the lip is a deep dish bare machined (about 4" lip). The only problem is since they are discontinued, im stuck with the 5.5" back spacing of the remaining inventory. I have looked all over and have not found an alternative. =(


Yes, wheelwells are pretty much the same dimensions. As others have mentioned already, if you have to have a tall sidewall, you're wasting your time looking at 20's. My 305/30/20's are 27.2" tall which equals a 3.6" sidewall. Even a 5" sidewall on a 20" wheel would equate to a 30" tall tire. That's getting really close to a max-height tire, for an A-body.

A 10" width wheel with zero or positive offset will not have a deep dish. Deep dish wheels are almost always negative offset and these cars do not like those, especially if wider than a 7" width.

[mc84_zz4]

Here is one thread you can dig into, I love the stance and wide footprint.
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/54033-Introducing-my-69-Chevelle?highlight=

[mc84_zz4]

Sorry, I timed-out before finishing....

Wheel/tire specs: 275/35/18 front, 315/30/18 rear.
On Forgeline 18x9.5 (5.5 bs) 18x11 (6.5 bs) Stock frame, no tubbing in the rear

[M.F.D.B.]

The, "deep dish" on the Torque Thrust style wheel comes from the curvature of the spokes. I'll attach a couple pics of what I'm looking to do.

- - - Updated - - -


Here is one thread you can dig into, I love the stance and wide footprint.
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/54033-Introducing-my-69-Chevelle?highlight=

Bitchin!

[Shawn0331]

To be honest you might be able to clear the 15'' rotors with a 19'' wheel. i have the 14'' wilwood aero setup and i have tons of room with a 18'' wheel. Obviously each wheel is different but i think it would work.

[M.F.D.B.]

To be honest you might be able to clear the 15'' rotors with a 19'' wheel. i have the 14'' wilwood aero setup and i have tons of room with a 18'' wheel. Obviously each wheel is different but i think it would work.

You are right, I double checked and the minimum is a 19. But I'm not sure it would be better in regards to tire choices tho?

[USAZR1]

But I'm not sure it would be better in regards to tire choices tho?

Why is that? What tire width do you want to run?
Either a 265, 275, or 285, in a 30 or 35 aspect ratio, would work well, in a 19.

[Billet-Specialties]

Here is an example of Billet Specialties Legends Series Speedway Wheel on Chevelle 20X8.5 and 20X10

157292



For more information click here (http://http://bit.ly/2ho1cQA)

[M.F.D.B.]

Here is an example of Billet Specialties Legends Series Speedway Wheel on Chevelle 20X8.5 and 20X10

157292



For more information click here (http://http://bit.ly/2ho1cQA)

That thing looks bitchin! It's lower than I'd go with these terrible streets here in Vegas. What's the specs on the back spacing and tires? Any fender mods?

[67King]

@andrewb70

Not trying to bash, but wouldn’t a square setup provide best handling?

Not at all, you want to fit as much tire as you can, and adjust spring rates, accordingly. On my track car (Porsche 944), I had been running square to try to extend tire life to a staggered setup as I got faster and stuff. Rear spring rates went from 550 to 850 when I did that, didn't miss a beat (well, it absolutely did when I tried driving it the first time just by adjusting the way bars - once I got the right springs on there, it was fantastic). Most of the race cars we run are 245 front, 285 rear.