69 Firebird wants 17x9.5 +275 all around?

[zman1969]

Im looking at fitting 17x9.5 on this car front and rear looks like 5.5" backspacing is close to what i need, im looking for like 275/40/17's has anybody fit this in stock wheelwells front and rear? my front suspension has hotchkis 2" lowering springs and global west upper a-arms am seriously considering mild rear minituib in rear (not dse deep)as i dont want to narrow my tank.are there any fact wheels i can try on for size?- with 5.5" bs. I want same size front and rear so i can rotate as needed. i have fit 16x8 w 255/50/16 and ita a pretty easy fit any help or advise appreciated!

[Andrew McBride]

On my 68 camaro I am running 17x9.5 w/ 5.5" Backspace w/ 2" drop springs. It is possible to run in the rear with those dimensions. I did not mini-tub either, stock ineer wheelhouses.

As far as the front I am not sure, but I don't believe that is going to be achievable without some serious mods.-I may be wrong. I bet someone can answer your question on the front though.

Andrew McBride

[Jagarang]

http://66.70.234.198/forum/showthread.php?t=1817

I don't know about the stock subframe and steering components, but with a Wayne Due front sub I'm running an 17X9.5 with a Corvette offset and 255's. Wayne recommended these over a 17X10/11 with 275's.

[Rick Dorion]

Isn't that what CarlC is running on his 68 camaro? Not completely sure on the BS but those are his sized tires/wheels.

[68protouring454]

yes carl is running i believe, 17x9.5 all around with 5.5 backspace, the keys to them fitting on the front are Speedtech upper and lower control arms (not as wide as stock arms), and the adjustable steering stops onthe lower arms, also the big key to this swap is having the short steering arms, thats very important, you will lose some turning radius but from what carl said, not a whole lot. no problems in rear with fitment, hopefully carl will pipe in
jake

[Blaster11]

If you are running stock Pontiac suspension you will want to double check backspacing. I am working on a 68 bird and Pontiac had a thing called widetrac, not sure if still used on 69, and it is just as it sounds the width is about 1 inch wider. I just bought my wheels through DSE and with 17 x 9.5's we ended up using 6 inches of backspacing in the back. I put a 275/45/17 on and it fits great, a little room on the inside and depending on the ride height I may have to roll the lip. I can't speak to the front since mine is completely disassembled. Hope this helps.

Bruce

[zman1969]

If you are running stock Pontiac suspension you will want to double check backspacing. I am working on a 68 bird and Pontiac had a thing called widetrac, not sure if still used on 69, and it is just as it sounds the width is about 1 inch wider. I just bought my wheels through DSE and with 17 x 9.5's we ended up using 6 inches of backspacing in the back. I put a 275/45/17 on and it fits great, a little room on the inside and depending on the ride height I may have to roll the lip. I can't speak to the front since mine is completely disassembled. Hope this helps.

Bruce

I have 2" drop rear springs from Hotchkis and will be running a nova 8.5" 10 bolt so mine is same width as early camaro. how much clearance do you have in and out on those 275/45/17's? I saw Carls car and his postings and thats what im wanting front and rear so i can rotate as normal. Dont want to buy rims to test fit, will after I know theyll work are there any fact gm 17" vet or camaro with the 5.5 bs?

[Blaster11]

I just went out and measured it and I have 1" of clearance on the inside and the outside I really don't know right now since my ride height is not set yet but the lip will have to be rolled. I am running the Hotchkis rear suspension also. Hope this helps.

Bruce

[zman1969]

I just went out and measured it and I have 1" of clearance on the inside and the outside I really don't know right now since my ride height is not set yet but the lip will have to be rolled. I am running the Hotchkis rear suspension also. Hope this helps.

Bruce

with 1" of clearance youll need to roll the lip??

[Blaster11]

OK, I am not sure I said what I meant, but I will try again. On the inside of the tire closest to the inner well I have about 1" of clearance. I believe this sufficient for any off camber driveways and such to keep it from rubbing. The outer edge of the tire is more difficult to measure because I have approximately 3 to 4 inches between the top of the tire and quarter panel. Car is pretty disassembled so not much weight over the rear axle. So I laid on the ground and looked up the edge of the tire and noticed if the tire is compressed the 3 to 4 inches the tire would probably touch the quarter panel. So, I will probably roll the lip to keep from cutting the tires, a little extra insurance.

Bruce

[zman1969]

OK, I am not sure I said what I meant, but I will try again. On the inside of the tire closest to the inner well I have about 1" of clearance. I believe this sufficient for any off camber driveways and such to keep it from rubbing. The outer edge of the tire is more difficult to measure because I have approximately 3 to 4 inches between the top of the tire and quarter panel. Car is pretty disassembled so not much weight over the rear axle. So I laid on the ground and looked up the edge of the tire and noticed if the tire is compressed the 3 to 4 inches the tire would probably touch the quarter panel. So, I will probably roll the lip to keep from cutting the tires, a little extra insurance.

Bruce

thanks for additional info! what B/S wheels do you you have?

[Blaster11]

The backs are 6" but that is with a pontiac differential.

Bruce

[zman1969]

anybody else tried to go to 17x9.5"? andbody suggest any easy to locate 17" fatory wheels for test fitment? anybody help out here?

[68Formula]

You would think on a site this popular there might someone with the right size willing to lend him 1 tire/rim for fitment?

[zman1969]

You would think on a site this popular there might someone with the right size willing to lend him 1 tire/rim for fitment?

Does anybody in Dallas have a17x9.5: with 5" or 5 1/2" backspacing i can borrow to try fitment?? i have 16x8 ronal wheels with 2555016 that fit fine but i want a bigger tire , any help out here in Dallas?

[zman1969]

nudge nudge??

[derekf]

Wish I could help but I'm still a ways away from buying wheels.

[zman1969]

back to the top - anyone else?

[Stu Seitz]

If someone would show me where I could buy that tire fitment tool made by wheel works I'll tell everyone what my backspacing is! I will be running 17x9.5 w/ 275/40/17 all the way around on my 69. Hell if someone shows me where i could buy it I would loan it out to each and everyone of you on this board (you pay the shipping =P).