Firebird Brothers Show Me Your Wheels!! [Archive]

SamHatco

10-05-2007, 05:21 AM

Calling all firebird bretherin, I need your help!! I'm doing a 69 T/A vert and can't decide on my wheels. I need you firebird guys to post up some pictures with wheel specs, size, width, backspace, etc. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

Sam

O'Neall

10-05-2007, 01:06 PM

I've got a set of 17x9" Year One Snowflakes for my 77 Special Edition T/A. Not mounted yet, but here they are.

SamHatco

10-05-2007, 01:59 PM

Those wheels are awsome!!

Tito

10-05-2007, 05:18 PM

Not mine, but I like my VWW V48 wheels on my camaro, so I'll plug them:
VWW V45 17X8" 4.5" backspace in the front, 17x9.5" 5.5" backspace in the and rear
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/10/1140827498_car-1.jpg (http://www.vintagewheelworks.com/view.php?dir=0&img_id=28)

SamHatco

10-05-2007, 06:05 PM

I like them. That is exactly the car I'm buliding!!!

Roadrage David

10-06-2007, 03:32 AM

i got the v45 as wel 17x 8 x255 and 17x11 x 315

Smock67

10-06-2007, 09:04 AM

nice lookin wheels guys. i wonder if anyone has the rally II's on there car in like 18's? hmmmm

JACK_BURTON55

10-07-2007, 07:17 AM

Ive seen a few but man are those billets ever expensive!! maybe once i get out school . . . one can dream

RA455TA

10-20-2007, 05:09 PM

Tito,

That's a sweet 69 you got a pic of there.

Who's car is that?

Tito

10-22-2007, 02:33 PM

Tito,

That's a sweet 69 you got a pic of there.

Who's car is that?

I actually don't have a clue:dunno:. Just lifted it of the VWW site (click on the pic to take you to the VWW pic posting) Maybe someone around here knows the owner or you could as the VWW folks. Just one of the pics I had bookmarked when wheel shopping for my Camaro.
-T

Dwbiggs

10-23-2007, 05:15 AM

Magntik

10-23-2007, 06:03 AM

Here's mine
Bonspeed Huntington's 18 x8's up front, 18 x 10's out back
19726

Smock67

10-23-2007, 09:11 AM

that looks tight what size tire are you running in the back 275/40's?

Magntik

10-23-2007, 09:44 AM

that looks tight what size tire are you running in the back 275/40's?
Yeah, 275/40's in back and 245/40's up front

johnsma22

10-23-2007, 02:11 PM

It's not a 1st Gen, but here you go. AR TTII's 17 x 8's with 4.75" backspacing all the way around. Tires are BFG G-Force KDWS's, 255/50/17's all the way around.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/10/DSC02543-1.jpg

Hammered

10-23-2007, 05:11 PM

Boyd Two-Tones (which are nearly the same as Intro Vistas).

SamHatco

10-24-2007, 05:51 AM

Boyd Two-Tones (which are nearly the same as Intro Vistas).

What are the size of those wheels/tires? Back Spacing? Those look really good on your bird.

Sam

Simbad68

10-24-2007, 06:02 PM

Here's my 67 Firebird. Back half isn't set yet. Budnick Fontanas 18x12
Sorry, File is to large, I'll have to shrink it.

Tom Welch

10-24-2007, 07:30 PM

KMC Hotwheel 68's on my 67 Firebird, 17x8, 245/45r17 in front, 17x9 275/40r17 in rear. I think that a 10-11 inch wheel will fit on the rear of a 69 with no mods.

68Formula

10-24-2007, 11:22 PM

KMC Hotwheel 68's on my 67 Firebird, 17x8, 245/45r17 in front, 17x9 275/40r17 in rear. I think that a 10-11 inch wheel will fit on the rear of a 69 with no mods.

Pics? How much do these weigh?

Dwbiggs

10-25-2007, 04:54 AM

Simbad....don't see your pics.

speedster

10-25-2007, 05:40 AM

Not on car, but Budnik Tiller 5, 17x8, 17x13

Smock67

10-25-2007, 07:55 AM

damn thats some lip you have there.

Side note i just watched your dyno video HOLY HELL is the only words that come to mind. Your engine sounds perfect. Where are pics of the car?

68Formula

10-25-2007, 10:06 AM

damn thats some lip you have there.

Thats what my mom would say right before a spanking.:spank2:

speedster

10-25-2007, 11:00 AM

damn thats some lip you have there.

Side note i just watched your dyno video HOLY HELL is the only words that come to mind. Your engine sounds perfect. Where are pics of the car?

Thanks, it's a pretty wild motor. Here are some older pictures:
Visit speedsters PT Garage (https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=hall&u=3879)

Lenie

10-25-2007, 05:43 PM

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Let's see if this worked:hmm:
Tillers also 17x13 and 17x9.5
68 bird

Steve Firebird

10-26-2007, 10:14 AM

Junk yard dog rims 17 X 8 frt 18 X 9 rear 5" BS on both. Looks like I needed more BS on rear or should have rolled the rear lip some before paint.

jy211

10-26-2007, 10:36 AM

What about the one's Frank at Prodigy has for his wife's project: Empty Nest?? :hail:

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35456&highlight=emptynest

cdoggy81

10-30-2007, 03:06 PM

17" Boyds
(pic needs to be sized... sorry...)

Smock67

10-30-2007, 06:54 PM

ok so this is off topic as far as this post is concerned but how much of the back seat is taken away when you mini tub? I have a convertible btw if that changes anything. Cause im contemplating a minitub before i get wheels but i really don't want to lose my bakc seat and what not

cdoggy81

10-31-2007, 06:30 AM

I forgot the style

zman1969

10-31-2007, 10:26 AM

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

I know its a Camaro but this is what I'm thinking of installing on my 69 T/A clone 17x11 will fit in back with the minitub job we did - has anyone tried to fit 17x9 or 17x9.5 in front? i know 16x8 with a 255/50/16 will fit easy - not to highjack thread but who has that big with stock subframe and tubular control arms? anyone anyone - Buehler - Buehler? :hmm:

oh BTW these are Team III wheels - actIII model here is a link
http://www.etwheels.com/ac/

SamHatco

10-31-2007, 10:31 AM

Those are cool wheels. What are they?

zman1969

10-31-2007, 10:45 AM

now sam dont go and beat me to the punch! i think theyre cool retro wheels for the "Trans Am" look

SamHatco

10-31-2007, 10:59 AM

LOL! Naw, I wouldn't do that!!! But those are really cool wheels and they would look good on a TA.

Sam

Rybar

10-31-2007, 11:40 AM

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

SamHatco

10-31-2007, 11:44 AM

I know. Car is amazing!!! Saw the pictures over in project updates this morning. One off Forgline wheels.:cool:

Sam

zman1969

10-31-2007, 12:17 PM

LOL! Naw, I wouldn't do that!!! But those are really cool wheels and they would look good on a TA.

Sam
we'll have to get together someday when these projects are done since youre just down I45 from me. mines been at bodyshop 2.5 YEARS now I am so ready to get it back and start working on it ! :hammer: :rolleyes:

zman1969

10-31-2007, 12:20 PM

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

oh :worship: now that gave me some wood!
SCHWING!

SamHatco

10-31-2007, 01:18 PM

You Bet!! That's right, your in the Dallas area aren't you. Having seen Emptynest and how cool these firebirds are when they are pro-toured out makes me motivated to complete mine and envious at the same time.

Sam

Lenie

11-05-2007, 07:42 PM

figured it out... pictures fixed above.

SamHatco

11-26-2007, 05:21 AM

Just trying to bring this up to the top. Anybody else have pictures of their wheels on a 69 bird? Would 17x11 fit without any mods?

Sam

gowest

11-27-2007, 11:38 PM

Just trying to bring this up to the top. Anybody else have pictures of their wheels on a 69 bird? Would 17x11 fit without any mods?

SamMine 69 rear wheel .....17 x 11 bs7 with one inches spacer it fit nicely in rear wheel well.
The tire was 275/40/17.

Smock67

11-28-2007, 12:29 AM

damn that looks nice iwht tha lip i wish i could rock a rim that wide. can you fit any more tire though?

SamHatco

11-28-2007, 05:07 AM

Nice combo. It looks like the wheel will hit the outer lip. Do those wheels tuck up into the wheel well?

Sam

SamHatco

12-20-2007, 04:51 AM

Just bringing this up to the top to see if anybody else has pictures of their firebird's wheels. Man, this is the hardest part of the whole build. Deciding what wheel to go with. If you don't get the wheels right IMHO it just doesn't set the tone of the car right.

Sam

Tom Welch

12-20-2007, 03:58 PM

Go to www.discounttiresdirect you can see the 3 versions of the wheel there, mine are polished aluminum. I'm not sure how much they weigh, but they are not for track use at all. A street wheel only.

SamHatco

12-21-2007, 12:24 PM

I tried opening your link, but it doesn't work. Which wheels are you refering to?

Sam

68Formula

12-21-2007, 12:43 PM

Go to www.discounttiresdirect (http://www.discounttiresdirect) you can see the 3 versions of the wheel there, mine are polished aluminum. I'm not sure how much they weigh, but they are not for track use at all. A street wheel only.

I found them on the web, but I was really hoping to see them on the car. Hint, hint.

O'Neall

01-09-2008, 08:13 PM

Finally got my tires mounted on my 17x9" YearOne Snowflakes (275/40ZR17 BFG g-Force T/A KDW all around). Here's a couple pics and a video!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/th_0082-1.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/TransformationRestorations/Jon77Bandit/?action=view&current=008-2.flv)

70bird

01-09-2008, 09:14 PM

Here's another 2nd gen..........Representin'

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowresfirebird090qx7.jpg)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowresfirebird054ln7.jpg)

A/R Rebels, 17x9 6" b/sp (5 woulda' been better) 275/40s all the way around.

zman1969

01-13-2008, 06:58 PM

Just trying to bring this up to the top. Anybody else have pictures of their wheels on a 69 bird? Would 17x11 fit without any mods?

Sam Sam on my car my bodyman pushed the inner fenderwells to the frame-small minitub and the pulled new quarters out to get this 17x11 to fit see pic:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
i have about 3/4" to 1" clearance to play with these are test fitted with a buddies 17x11 zr1 with 315s on it and they are narrow for the 315s when i get springs and rear installed(when my body man finishes) then i will measure for wheel back spacing. i think a 17x9.5 witha 275/40 would fit with the right B/S , hope this helps
heres a current photo- getting closer!!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

OHCbird

01-13-2008, 07:50 PM

I'm using some 17x8 / 17x11 Billet Specialties Rebels. I know they look like the TTIIs, but they look great on Firebirds. Howard at Newstalgia made me a great deal on the set with tires.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/HPIM0077-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/newrebelsbig-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/newmeats-1.jpg

SamHatco

01-15-2008, 05:39 AM

Kewl wheels. Did you have any back tire fitment issues with the 17 x 11? What are the back spacing/tire sizes on the wheels?

Sam

OHCbird

01-20-2008, 06:01 PM

No fittment issues- I have the DSE minitubs installed, with a quadralink rear. They are 5.75" BS. The only crappy thing is the limits of 17" tire choices... I could go 335/35/17 If I play with the BS, but I need to get it working on what I have, ya know?

Thanks for the compliments- I'm sure when it's done, I'll get lots of "They look like TTIIs" comments; who cares- they look great!

cdoggy81

01-20-2008, 10:05 PM

Fronts are 255/40/18 with 4.5" BS on 18x8 American Racing TT2's. Rears are 295/35/18 with 5.5" BS on an 18x10 wheel.

70bird

01-21-2008, 12:05 AM

Fronts are 255/40/18 with 4.5" BS on 18x8 American Racing TT2's. Rears are 295/35/18 with 5.5" BS on an 18x10 wheel.
Chris, that T/A is sweeet!

SamHatco

01-21-2008, 02:03 PM

Those are wheels look b*tchen. Really give it the old school look. I'm kinda leaning towards the old school look also.

Sam

Jagarang

01-28-2008, 01:15 PM

A couple sitting still and one in action.

SamHatco

01-28-2008, 01:22 PM

Those wheels look super!! What are the specs on them? Size, backspacing, manufacturer?

Sam

Justintt

01-28-2008, 05:06 PM

Here is my '69 Firebird with a set of Bonspeed Big Blocks, 18x8 w/ 4.5" BS front and 18x9.5 w/ 5-5/8 bs in rear. Awesome quality on the wheels and the price was very competitive for a set of 2-piece wheels. One note, rear BS is a little much if you don't have discs...I am running a 1/4" spacer with my drums, but figured it was easier to run a small spacer vs not having enough bs. Plus I am planning on rear discs in the future and heard that some add a little track width. Tires are Nitto 555's and rears are 285/40's and fronts are 245/40's.

SamHatco

01-28-2008, 06:08 PM

That is one great looking bird. :cool: What kind of power plant are you going with?

Sam

Justintt

01-28-2008, 08:23 PM

Thanks for the compliments. Power is all Pure Pontiac. It's a stroked 400 to 455 ci w/ Eagle Rods, JE Pistons, Edelbrock Heads, Solid Roller Cam, Demon 850, etc...Made 565 HP / 580 TQ on the engine dyno with pump gas and heads and intake that aren't even ported. Pulling it to fix some minor problems over the winter. Trans is a TH400 with a 3000 Stall hooked to a 12 bolt with 4:10 gears. Car was setup for the drag strip before I started turning into a pro-tour type of car. When funds allow I am likely to put a TKO-600 to make it more fun for street driving, but for now I will be happy driving it for a summer or two and just enjoy the progress that I have made so far.

Things are still a little messy and unfinished in this picture, but you should get the idea.

Widetracker

01-28-2008, 09:31 PM

An of y'all know how the backspacing works out on fourth gen wheels in a first gen bird? Thanks!

cdoggy81

01-29-2008, 02:58 PM

70bird - SW has a sweeeeet 73. Here are a few more after the new DSE rear & 335 tires!!!

Jagarang - was your car done at Prodigy? That parking lot looks familiar :)

70bird

01-29-2008, 04:02 PM

70bird - SW has a sweeeeet 73. Here are a few more after the new DSE rear & 335 tires!!!

Jagarang - was your car done at Prodigy? That parking lot looks familiar :)

Man, that 73 looks good with the 335's! When mine grows up I want it to be like that!! LOL, Damn........... mines never gonna' be done.

Jagarang

01-29-2008, 07:23 PM

Jagarang - was your car done at Prodigy? That parking lot looks familiar :)

You are correct cdoggy. That picture was taken as the car was loaded into the trailer for SEMA 2006.

Those wheels look super!! What are the specs on them? Size, backspacing, manufacturer?

Sam

I don't know if you were asking me Sam but if you were, thanks! The specs on the wheels are..

Budnick GTX 17x9.5 with 6in of backspace for the fronts
GTX 18x12 with 6in of back for the rears

cdoggy81

01-30-2008, 03:51 PM

70bird, you better get it done! I got to learn from you so I know what not to do for my 70 TA LS1 swap... ;)

Jagarang, cool :) I thought so. I went there to look at Lisa's 69 & they told be about yours as well b/c I want to do mine in blue but not Lucern Blue like the original...

cdoggy81

01-30-2008, 03:55 PM

Wow, just noticed one of your pics is exactly what I wanted to see!!!!!!!
Original Lucern Blue TA next to your blue!!! :) :) :) I love it!!! What color is it?
I think the Lucern Blue can look a little washed out sometimes so I want something a little better. Not sure if I want to go darker or brighter to give it more "PoP"...

Mr.VENGEANCE

01-30-2008, 03:59 PM

man..

MORE of that red TA with the 335s!!!!

70bird

01-30-2008, 04:04 PM

70bird, you better get it done! I got to learn from you so I know what not to do for my 70 TA LS1 swap... ;)
It'll get done, a little progress every week. Still shooting for having the car in primer (at least) by summer.

Oh, and I could probably write a book on how not to do it by now!
Live and learn. LOL
Mark

Scatpack

01-30-2008, 04:51 PM

cdoggy81, what are those wheels, they look great. And more pics.....please

cdoggy81

01-30-2008, 07:21 PM

:) :) :)

cdoggy81

01-30-2008, 07:23 PM

my favorite...

cdoggy81

01-30-2008, 07:25 PM

Another BIG thanks Mark for the help!
When the sparks start to fly your phone will ring again... ;)

Smock67

01-30-2008, 07:39 PM

wow thats one hell of a firey fleet of vehicle you have there

OHCbird

01-30-2008, 09:30 PM

Cdoggy- I think yoiu and SW might be twins... or the same guy. Is that his old car, or just his wheels (the original Americans, BTW).???

cdoggy81

01-31-2008, 08:01 AM

Blazed67, not my fleet. It is SW's. I have all pontiacs ( see my sig :) )

OHCbird , I'm not SW. See post #66. Do wish I had some of his cars though!

71FormulaRA3

02-05-2008, 10:18 PM

I'm in the process of choosing wheels and tires for my '71 bird. I'm pretty much set on 18" Foose Legend wheels (just came out). But I'm torn on sizes of tires and Backspacing on the wheels.
I think I want 275/40/18 in back and 245/45/18 in front (both are 26.6" tall)

If I go with 275/40/18 with 9" wheels on the rear what back spacing of wheel to fit inside and have clearance? I believe 5.25" and 5.75" is available.
I plan to use 8" wheels in front with 4.5" B.S.

As you can tell my bird needs some new shoes...

redfire69

02-06-2008, 03:14 AM

redfire69

02-06-2008, 04:28 AM

So I'm still looking at switching to BREs for my 80 TTA. I did a little photoshop to see what it might look like with 18s. What do y'all think?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/13503101268-1.jpg?1202300573

This is what it looks like now, forgive to 4X4 look..

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/1350389740-1.jpg?1199889521

68Formula

02-06-2008, 04:55 AM

redfire69

02-06-2008, 05:47 AM

Are BREs the maker for the Year One wheels?

Hey AMCMIKE, BRE = Burt Reynolds Edition, I've heard that Bonspeed makes the rims exclusively for Year One.... Thanks - Ron

O'Neall

02-06-2008, 08:48 AM

Go for it!!! I got the 17x9s and love them!!!!!!!!

redfire69

02-06-2008, 09:06 AM

Go for it!!! I got the 17x9s and love them!!!!!!!!

Hey Jon,

Did you lower your car? Just wondering if mine will look too high. I'm considering the Hotchkis lowering springs because I really can't afford an air ride $etup.

Edit: Also wondering what tire size are you running?

Sorry about highjacking this thread...

Ron

68Formula

02-06-2008, 11:11 AM

Hey Jon,

Did you lower your car? Just wondering if mine will look too high. I'm considering the Hotchkis lowering springs because I really can't afford an air ride $etup.

Sorry about highjacking this thread...

Ron

What size you have now? A taller tire will fill the gap a little more giving it a lower stance appearance while actually increasing ground clearance. I found the size I mentioned which are 27.1" tall fill the wheel well better fore and aft which look proporationally better on those cars IMHO.

redfire69

02-07-2008, 02:43 AM

What size you have now? A taller tire will fill the gap a little more giving it a lower stance appearance while actually increasing ground clearance. I found the size I mentioned which are 27.1" tall fill the wheel well better fore and aft which look proporationally better on those cars IMHO.

Good point, I have BFG TAs 255/60/15s which are 26.8" high (10.2 wide). I was looking at BFG KDWs and the ones YO recommends are 275/40/18s which are 26.7" high (10.9 wide).

The ones you recommend come in at:
255/45/18 - 27" (10.1 wide)
285/40/18 - 27" (11.4 wide)

So I would gain a little height, but the problem is the 285/40/18 require at least a 9.5" inch wide rim, so for those tires I would have to go with 18X10s out back (at least looking at BFGs). Not sure if they will fit with a stock suspension? The shock mounts are pretty close right now with the stock turbo slotted rims.

I could go with 255/45/18s one all fours, not sure how that would look...

Ron

Modmach1

02-07-2008, 03:16 AM

These are the cars two of my buddies have:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
1968 Firebird with 19", LS1, 4L60 etc. This will get some new wheels and get lower.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
76 Trans Am with TSW 19x8,5 and 20x10 with Yokohama 245/40-19 and 275/35-20

71FormulaRA3

02-07-2008, 05:13 PM

Modmach1, do you know the back spacing of the wheels on that 76 TA? And do you know if there were any mods? Perfect fit!

O'Neall

02-07-2008, 08:38 PM

Hey Jon,

Did you lower your car? Just wondering if mine will look too high. I'm considering the Hotchkis lowering springs because I really can't afford an air ride $etup.

Edit: Also wondering what tire size are you running?

Sorry about highjacking this thread...

Ron

Ron,

I have BFG g-Force T/A KDW 275/40ZR17s all around. They are 25.7" tall (stock tire height is 27.4")

My car isn't ready for the wheels/tires quite yet though... still in the middle of its restomod process. However, I do plan on lowering the car about 2" from stock which should make up for the shorter tire. I'm not a huge fan of lowering cars so much that tops of the tires are obscured by the wheel well lip. Here's a couple of pics some T/As with the the stance I'm hoping to achieve from an overall lowering perspective. The black car has significantly wider tires out back (315/35/17s) than I've got, but the overall lowered stance of both cars is quite good in my book IMO.

68Formula

02-07-2008, 10:07 PM

Ron,
My car isn't ready for the wheels/tires quite yet though... still in the middle of its restomod process. However, I do plan on lowering the car about 2" from stock which should make up for the shorter tire. I'm not a huge fan of lowering cars so much that tops of the tires are obscured by the wheel well lip. Here's a couple of pics some T/As with the the stance I'm hoping to achieve from an overall lowering perspective. The black car has significantly wider tires out back (315/35/17s) than I've got, but the overall lowered stance of both cars is quite good in my book IMO.

Jon, before you make your final decision, look at dead-on side shot examples of both diameters as this affects not only the top gap, but the fore-aft. 2nd gens look more right to me with the larger, and 1st with the ones you're using, probably because they are closer to overall factory diameter (which is what the wells were sized for).

Plus, you can drop it 2", it will look more like a 2.5" drop (gap), and you only lose 1.5" of ground clearance.

Modmach1

02-07-2008, 11:27 PM

Modmach1, do you know the back spacing of the wheels on that 76 TA? And do you know if there were any mods? Perfect fit!

No mods what so ever, we are going to install 2" inch drop spindles as well. the car is back from sanblasting and the front end is on powdercoating. The owner is fighting in Afganhistan right now and will be back in June/July.
I will find those backspacings for you!

O'Neall

02-08-2008, 05:29 AM

2nd gens look more right to me with the larger, and 1st with the ones you're using

I'm sorry Mike... I'm sure I'm just dense, but I don't get what you're saying here. Could you elaborate? Thanks.

68Formula

02-08-2008, 10:10 AM

I'm sorry Mike... I'm sure I'm just dense, but I don't get what you're saying here. Could you elaborate? Thanks.

First Gen Firebirds tire size is closer to 26" overall diameter. So the size you mentioned in 17s is close to factory. The 18s I recommend earlier in my post are are 27.1" which isclose to the stock 2nd Gen Firebirds.

Now, if you keep the smaller size, your lowering the car will reduce the gap between the top of the tire and the fender, but it will not correct the gap to the front and rear of the fender therefore making it look less proporationally correct.

Lets call stock height and 26" tires your baseline. If you increase the tire diameter from 26" by and inch, the radius increases half. Therfore you reduce the gap to the fender by .5" just by the size. At the same time the larger diameter raises the car by .5" from the ground. Lets say at this point you drop the car 2". That means compared to your baseline, the gap to the top of fender will decrease 2.5", but the ground clearance will only decrease by 1.5".

70bird

02-08-2008, 10:24 AM

Heres what a 25" tire looks like on a 2nd gen (275/40-17)
This car is lowered only about 1" in the rear, and as you can see does not fill the wheelwell very well at all. I could lower it another inch or two but ground clearance will suffer. A 27" tire would be much better, and is what I plan to use. Mark

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

SamHatco

02-08-2008, 10:28 AM

First Gen Firebirds tire size is closer to 26" overall diameter. So the size you mentioned in 17s is close to factory. The 18s I recommend earlier in my post are are 27.1" which isclose to the stock 2nd Gen Firebirds.

Now, if you keep the smaller size, your lowering the car will reduce the gap between the top of the tire and the fender, but it will not correct the gap to the front and rear of the fender therefore making it look less proporationally correct.

Lets call stock height and 26" tires your baseline. If you increase the tire diameter from 26" by and inch, the radius increases half. Therfore you reduce the gap to the fender by .5" just by the size. At the same time the larger diameter raises the car by .5" from the ground. Lets say at this point you drop the car 2". That means compared to your baseline, the gap to the top of fender will decrease 2.5", but the ground clearance will only decrease by 1.5".

Well said, :twothumbs

Sam

O'Neall

02-08-2008, 10:59 AM

Mike... okay, thanks, got it! Sorry to make you have to go thru all that, but I appeciate it.

It'a all a matter of personal preference of course, but I've always thought that 18s on gen2 cars look proportionally incorrect... just too much wheel. On the other hand, I've always liked the look of of 17s with 275/40s. They just look "right" to me. Different strokes....

68Formula

02-08-2008, 11:27 AM

Your welcome. My carpal tunnel is acting up now, so I'll leave you with one last thought.

Remember everything is about proportions. So consider this: It could be that the rim looks too tall because some people use the reduce the diameter to go with the larger rim. So one guy uses a 275/40R17 and another a 275/35R18. Both are the same height, but one has less sidewall making the rim even more noticeably bigger. Now comparing a 275/40R17 to a 285/40R18 the ratio of tire diameter to wheel diameter is 1.50 vs. 1.51 or nearly the same. This may not be what you are seeing in your case, but I bring this up as an option and for others to consider.

Sometimes the eyes deceive us.

SamHatco, thanks for the props!

71FormulaRA3

02-08-2008, 09:19 PM

Thanks Modmach1 I appreciate the info! I look forward to getting the backspacings from you.

cdoggy81

02-09-2008, 11:53 AM

I don't know O'Neall, these 18's look good to me :)

71FormulaRA3

02-09-2008, 01:41 PM

Those 18's look sweet! Do you know the tire sizes by chance?

O'Neall

02-09-2008, 10:51 PM

I don't know O'Neall, these 18's look good to me :)

That definitely looks good... no doubt about it. And I never said 18s didn't look "good"... I said they don't look proportional IMO. Those wheels look great... very cool. It's just that when the entirety of the car is considered I look for overall proportionality of all aspects of the car, and wheels over 17" tend to draw too much attention to themselves IMO. They dominate the car at the expense of the rest of the car. Some like that... and for some having that dominant of a wheel is what they like, but I like it all to blend together well proportionally... the wheels/tires and the rest of the car. Too much of any one thing detracts from the others... it's all about balance in my book and I just happen to think that 17s offer an overall "balanced" look on gen2 cars. But if people like 18s because they like that extra bit of proportional attention they achieve (setting aside such things as bigger brakes, etc. that can be fitted behind bigger wheels) then they should go for it. It's just not what I chose to do... but each to his own.

As an aside, here's one more gen2 T/A with 17s that offers a good side shot... car looks great IMHO... and the wheels/tires "balance" the car proportionally.

Roadrage David

02-09-2008, 11:08 PM

O,Neal I shear your opinion everything above 17 inch draws to mutch atention away from the car, and gose and looks more ore to mutch bling bling. its to mutch show off, and less sportif ore race........

formulafr

03-03-2008, 08:23 AM

well, the only problem with the 17" is the tire size aviable. 275/40 is small in diameter, but the width is ok. 255/50 is better for the diameter. problem, there's no other choice that 255/50 to match stock diameter.

67FirebirdKiller

10-09-2012, 05:45 AM

xplane

10-09-2012, 03:03 PM

This is a test fit photo, i had to modify the KORE3 front hubs to mate with the wheels.

HRE 540 18x9" (5" BS? currently TDY) front and 18x9.5" 5.5" BS rear.
65999

T_Raven

10-10-2012, 09:53 AM

I see this was bumped after 4 1/2 years lol, but might as well keep it going.

Fikse Profil 5S wheels on my 67. 18x9 and 18x11

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/DSC01235-1.jpg

cdoggy81

10-10-2012, 04:43 PM

xplane, nice car! Got any more info on your ride?
BTW, we gotta get ya a new spoiler... That one doesn't do a sweet car like that justice :)

Chadman27

10-10-2012, 06:07 PM

I know you are looking for rims for a 1st Gen, but regardless here is my 2nd Gen. I'm a big fan of any rim that resembles the Snowflakes (favorite rim of all time, lol) on any Firebird... although when you start going to non YearOne rims, your start walking that line of looking "tunerish" with certain styles out there... In my opinion the CCW Classics (which I have) or the HRE 540;s (previously posted on here) are some of the best options... just my .02!

Rims are 18x9.5 and 18x12... tires are 275's and 335's.

66053

66054

66055

66056

66057

Chadman27

10-10-2012, 06:10 PM

Hmmm apologies on the cowl lip picture... don't know how it got there nor how to get rid of it... thats a work in progress btw lol

stevehoj

10-10-2012, 07:50 PM

Stayed with the "injun" theme.....Arrowheads.

66071
66070
66069

xplane

10-10-2012, 07:52 PM

xplane, nice car! Got any more info on your ride?
BTW, we gotta get ya a new spoiler... That one doesn't do a sweet car like that justice :)

cdoggy81,

Thanks, I already have the factory spoiler just needs painted.

More info here;

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?89896-73-Bird&highlight=

mhatten

06-30-2013, 03:48 PM

76 455 4spd
17" YO honeycombs

Forgeline Wheels

07-01-2013, 05:38 PM

Wes Strawn's 425rwhp '78 Firebird was the first car he ever owned in high school. Now many years later, it is a pro-touring masterpiece on 19 inch Forgeline TA3 wheels. See more at: http://www.forgeline.com/customer_gallery_view.php?cvk=349

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/hVioAA6-1.jpg

Ripper

07-02-2013, 12:02 AM

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/ADSCF11071600x450-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/ADSCF0512600x450-1.jpg

formula

07-19-2013, 10:41 AM

RamAir

07-20-2013, 03:41 AM

This is my Vintage Wheel Works V40 in 8x17 and 11x17 with 255/40 and 335/35. The center is painted with Audi Daytona Grey Pearl Metalic.

btbob

08-07-2013, 03:51 PM

Don't know how I missed this thread.

My 68 sitting on 17x8 and 17x10 Rushforth Nightrains.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

solarguy09

08-07-2013, 04:39 PM

Sweet Bird's fella's.....Very Nice...

tonykim

11-09-2013, 11:10 AM

Here is my hack rendition of what my 78 Firebird will look like once I get my new wheels on it. 17x8 and 17x9.5 MB old schools. Car is lowered about 3 inches in the front and about 1.5 in the rear.
It currently has old 15x8.5s cragar astrosprints with 265/50-15 front and 275/50-15 rear.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/11/oldschools__2b-1.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/tonykim25/media/Firebird/oldschools_-_2b.jpg.html)