275/35/18 mock up complete

[eville]

My Wheel Mount Mate finally arrived this week. That gave me the opportunity to test fit my 275/35/18s on all four corners. The Nitto NT01s look crazy! Good news, it will work. I'll be calling Frank (GPSuperstore) on Monday to order my Forgelines 18x9.5 ZX3Ps in gunmetal.
Once they arrive I'll be ready to rock and roll on the installation of the Speedtech UCA and LCAs, ATS tall spindles, Hotchkis front springs and bar and C5 brakes.

I forgot pictures of the front mockup, but that's a lot of rubber up there. Quite a bit more than the 225/50/16s up front now...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/IMG_0970-1.jpg

Rear shots... compare a 255/50/17 on the right...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/IMG_0974-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/IMG_0972-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/IMG_0976-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/IMG_0977-1.jpg

[Project69]

Looks nice, Yea i could have told you that 275/35/18 would work out back haha im running a 275/40/18 in the back of mine. But i love the NT tires but there a bit pricey for what i have planned.

[Flash68]

That looks sweet. That NT01 tread pattern is wicked - love it! I was considering those but went with the 555 instead.

The Forgelines and those tires will be sick!

[chicane67]

What back spacing did you come up for the front ?? And rear ??

[eville]

6.25" front (with the help of Frank at GP), rear is a little odd because I have a slightly narrowed 12bolt rear out of an earlier nova... i won't post the rear bs out of risk of confusing others. If anyone is still curious I'll reconsider.

[chicane67]

... Understandable.

Thanks for sharing !!

[DeepBlue68]

\rear is a little odd because I have a slightly narrowed 12bolt rear out of an earlier nova... i won't post the rear bs out of risk of confusing others
eville, do you know how much your 12-bolt is narrowed? I'd like to know the backspace you used because I'm gonna be putting 18's with 275's on my '68 as well, and yours looks like they fit pretty well. If you know how much it's narrowed, the math would be pretty simple to find out how much BS you'd have if you had a standard length rear end. From what I've read, you need 5.5" of BS on an 18x9.5 wheel in the rear for 275s to fit.

[eville]

Stock 1st Gen Rear End Width should be: 60.25".
I have a rear out of an earlier Nova which is: 57.75"
So 2.5" narrower or 1.25" per side narrower.
The picture taken is with a 4.25" bs on a 18x9.5" mock up.
Frank (gpsuperstore) talked me into an extra 0.25" bs so I ordered 4.5" BS. His logic was, we can always run a hubcentric spacer, but it's a pain to re-backspace the wheel. I think there'll be plenty of room with 4.5" BS and won't need a spacer. I should know in less than two weeks.

[Patrick]

6.25" front (with the help of Frank at GP), rear is a little odd because I have a slightly narrowed 12bolt rear out of an earlier nova... i won't post the rear bs out of risk of confusing others. If anyone is still curious I'll reconsider.


Do you really have 6.25" bs up front or did you mean 5.25bs?

[eville]

Do you really have 6.25" bs up front or did you mean 5.25bs?
No, we went with 6.25 bs. Frank's philosophy on this is that there was about 3.25" of front space on a first gen in stock configuration. If you want to increase the width of the wheel, you can't push any of it out w/o killing the fender. So, it all has to go in. Again if we need to, a small thickness hubcentric adapter can always be used to fine tune outwards.

[Patrick]

Ahh! I now understand and agree.

[ItsA68]

You MUST post pictures when you are done installing those wheels on your 68. I've been thinking 'bout the ZX3R's for my 68, with the gunmetal centers. I have a buddernut '68, and I think that color would work well with the yellow car...and good with black too. Frank is a good guy to deal with...really looking forward to seeing how they look.

~~fred

[eville]

I heard rumor of a June 26 ship date.

[ertoys]

That will look great, I am running 275/45/17s and they only BARELY rub when I go up an incline sideways.

[eville]

Well, good news and not so good news.
Good news is my Forgelines showed up yesterday and they look AWESOME!
The bad news is a 275/35/18 with the AFX tall spindle and a 6.2" BS won't work. I've got interference between the wheel and UCA when I turn the wheel the slightest bit. (Thinking taller spindle is the cause) Also, the outer tie rod and wheel interference is fairly significant even with the BAER Tracker Tie Rods, enough that I had to shim them with 11/16" of spacer to get minimum clearance. (Thinking drop type spindle for C5 hub)
As I see it, my options are:
1) rebackspace the wheels to make the 275 on a 9.5" wheel work, or
2) have the rim narrowed to 8 or 8.5 and run a 245.

I've decided to do option 2. Thanks goodness for 3 piece Forgelines.
I'm disappointed I'm giving up, but knowing what I know now, a 275 is a major undertaking and there are problems here I didn't expect.
So which would you run, an 8 or 8.5" for a 245/40/18 tire?

Here's some pics... I think the BS on the fronts is perfect and would hate to move them out 3/4" or more to clear everything.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/IMG_1092-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/IMG_1090-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/IMG_1091-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/IMG_1094-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/IMG_1096-1.jpg

[olds87]

Nice wheels you got there, it look sick on that car. If you don't mind asking you, how much did the wheels cost you?

[eville]

Ask Frank GPSuperstore. 3600+ shipping. Frank and Forgeline are both Great!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

that would suck to move them out..

nice wheels man..

[aonghus]

If I remember correctly, Stielow's Camaro X ran an 18x9.5" Fikse Profil wheel with 6.25" backspacing on a 'stock' sub-frame, with baer tracker tie-rods and tall AFX spindles. The posts I read said they had to modify the fender mounting hardware, but didn't face any UCA or LCA interference... when I get home from work I'll see if I can find the thread.

C

[ProdigyCustoms]

Car looks sick! BTW, when your done, I need pictures for Forgelines site. Forgeline is doing a Prodigy Customs / Forgerline section. What ever you decide as far as changes, you know we got your back. I wondered about 9.5s up front, thought that was optimistic. 8.5 is what we would normally run with 245 up to a 255. Looks like we nailed it though as far as outer placement, they look perfect. So we need to just change a inner shell.

[LMDGUY]

looks sick!!

[eville]

Car looks sick! BTW, when your done, I need pictures for Forgelines site. Forgeline is doing a Prodigy Customs / Forgerline section. What ever you decide as far as changes, you know we got your back. I wondered about 9.5s up front, thought that was optimistic. 8.5 is what we would normally run with 245 up to a 255. Looks like we nailed it though as far as outer placement, they look perfect. So we need to just change a inner shell.

I'm going to have to call on monday I'll need to get that spacer we talked about out back. Maybe 1/4 or 5/16. I'm tight back there....

[eville]

I'll take those pics for you Frank when I can get her back out of the driveway!!!!!!!! How long do you think it will take to change that inner shell?

[ProdigyCustoms]

Depends on what ize shell it will need and what they have in stock. last time we did this took 2 days. Lets hope we are so lucky.

[chicane67]

If I remember correctly, Stielow's Camaro X ran an 18x9.5" Fikse Profil wheel with 6.25" backspacing on a 'stock' sub-frame, with baer tracker tie-rods and tall AFX spindles. The posts I read said they had to modify the fender mounting hardware, but didn't face any UCA or LCA interference... when I get home from work I'll see if I can find the thread.

C

It was an 18x9".

[eville]

Wheels in 18x8.5 should show up tomorrow. I'll get 'em mounted on Tuesday hopefully.

[eville]

Well the resized wheels (18x8.5) arrived today, got the tires mounted, brakes installed, bleed and test ride around the block. Everything works GREAT! I'll follow up with some nice pictures in the next few days.

[4MuscleMachines]

What size tires did you end up with for the front?

[eville]

245/40/18

[Brandon Miller]

I want to know where you got the jackstands and what kind are they?

[eville]

they are Torin jack stands. I got them through Northern Tool. They came as a combo with my jack. Here they are
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200313386_200313386

[Steve68]

Man, I was going to buy F/L way back, I'm glad I didn't, look like lots of people are starting to run them, I like being a one off type, thats why my car is "the color of green nobody likes" green,

But besides that car looks killer with the wheels!!!!!

[eville]

Thanks Steve! I've always liked having what I like and F*** everyone else. To each their own!

[68/CamaroFL]

Steve, Your Wheels Look Awsome on your Car :cool:
Question are you running the 275/35/18 Rear? and 245/40/18 Front
and another question is your rear end (Stock) it is Not tubbed right?
Thinking about running the same set-up please let me know
with Boze wheels 18x8 Front 19x9 Rear

[35spline]

Your wheels look great! Would you say that your Wheel Mount Mate let you down?

[eville]

I am running 275/35/18 Rear on an 18x 9.5" wheel.
Up front I have a 245/40/18 on an 18x8.5" wheel.
I do not have a minitub, but I do have a narrowed rearend.

I am pleased with the mount mate. You can absolutely use it to measure tire fitment. All of my issues up front were with wheel interference. The 275 tire could fit, but I should have looked for interference at the front of the UCA and looked closer at the tie rod. If there were no rim, the tires would have fit great! I decided to run alot of backspace up front. If I had decided to run 5.5 instead of 6.3 I likely would have fit the 275. I'm very pleased with the "tucked" look I think I will be able to achieve. I've been working til way past dark these last few nights so no pictures yet.

[68/CamaroFL]

Thank you very much Steve for your input!
Bill P.


I am running 275/35/18 Rear on an 18x 9.5" wheel.
Up front I have a 245/40/18 on an 18x8.5" wheel.
I do not have a minitub, but I do have a narrowed rearend.

I am pleased with the mount mate. You can absolutely use it to measure tire fitment. All of my issues up front were with wheel interference. The 275 tire could fit, but I should have looked for interference at the front of the UCA and looked closer at the tie rod. If there were no rim, the tires would have fit great! I decided to run alot of backspace up front. If I had decided to run 5.5 instead of 6.3 I likely would have fit the 275. I'm very pleased with the "tucked" look I think I will be able to achieve. I've been working til way past dark these last few nights so no pictures yet.

[Steve68]

Thanks Steve! I've always liked having what I like and F*** everyone else. To each their own!

Thats why I may just BLACK 18" steelies on it, I wonder if anybody makes them,

[eville]

Ok, a few pictures. Nothing fancy, but you get the idea. Now I just need to tweak the final ride height. I'm thinking 1" lower all the way around. Thoughts?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/IMG_1131-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/IMG_1133-1.jpg

Front Side View...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/IMG_1128-1.jpg

Rear From the Back...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/IMG_1127-1.jpg

Front Close Up....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/IMG_1130-1.jpg

Rear Close Up...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/IMG_1134-1.jpg

[68/CamaroFL]

Steve,
Looks Great! looks like it sits level..
you have the Hotchkis springs right is it the lowing kit?
I put on the TV System on mine Thinking of Q/A Coil overs what is your thoughts?
Thanks, Bill

[MBD]

...Now I just need to tweak the final ride height. I'm thinking 1" lower all the way around. Thoughts?

Everything looks great. Lowering it will really send you over the top.

It looks like the rear needs more lowering than the front to me. I'd go with 2 or 3 inches in the rear.

[eville]

It's not the best picture.... but I put a 1" lowering block in the back. I'm waiting of the fronts to settle (if they will) before cutting the coils.
Or at least that's my excuse because I've been to busy to get back to it.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/08/IMG_1156-1.jpg

[68/CamaroFL]

:razz: Looks Great Steve! Nice Stance!

[BA.]

I'd go for 1" - 1.5" up front and 2" - 2.5" in back. :D
I'm still way digging your car man! Nice look!

[MBD]

I'd go for 1" - 1.5" up front and 2" - 2.5" in back. :D
I'm still way digging your car man! Nice look!

Agree.

[4MuscleMachines]

Looking very nice!

[eville]

I'd go for 1" - 1.5" up front and 2" - 2.5" in back. :D
I'm still way digging your car man! Nice look!

Thanks, but that will be tooo low for me. I'm thinking 1" up front and she's good to go. I'll tackle it after I get my TKO600 in. I decided to pull the trigger on it this week.

[ItsA68]

what did the BS on the front wheels end up being with the new size, and are you still using any spacers on front?

~~fred

[eville]

With the forgelines I just had the inner rim half changed to make the rim 1" narrower. So, going from a 9.5" with a 6.25bs I went to an 8.5" with a 5.25 BS.

[ItsA68]

no rubbing issues? I'm using the tall ATS spindles with GW arms, and an ATA coilover conversion. You think I'll have problems?

~~fred

[eville]

I don have a small rub, I just haven't had time to look for it yet. I think it's in the right front and more when I'm going up my driveway which has a ridiculously tall round curb.