Tucking Wheels On A 2nd Gen T/A

[79TransAm]

I am trying to resto mod my 79 t/a. I dont have a bunch of money to throw at the car so im trying to go as cheap as possible, but still look good. I wanna get the wilwood bbk prodigy sells. I'm lookin at a set of z06 replica wheels i found on ebay. they are 18x9.5 +57mm and 18x10.5 +58mm(doesnt say backspacing so i sent them a message asking. Runnin 275/40R18 & 295/35R18 BFG GForce TA KD's. I'm gonna be lowered on the hotchkis big block kit so approx 2" front 1" rear. My question is what would i have to do to make these fit? I'd also like to have the fenders and quarter panels kinda flared out a little, like the year one bandit t/a. if you dont know what i mean here is a pic. any info would be great, thanx in advance.

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

[ProdigyCustoms]

OK, so here is the back space when using offest.

Zero offset is half the wheel width. + offest is the amount past center, so in your case the 8.5" wheel is 4.25 (half the wheel) + 2.24 offset = 6.49 backspace. The 10.5 wheel is 5.25 (half the wheel) + 2.28 = 7.53 backspace

[79TransAm]

oh, cool thanx. im assuming im gonna have to get atleast mini tubs and flare the fenders like above...

[wiedemab]

I may be misunderstanding, and hopefully I don't confuse things, but.....

The wheel width of 8.5", 10.5" is the measurement of distance between the tire mount flanges (not sure if I'm using the correct terminology).

Backspacing is the measurement from the wheel mount surface to the inner most part of the wheel (including the wheel lip).

If I'm thinking correctly, you would have to add some distance for the wheel lip to get the backspacing. This depends on the wheels, but I think it is usually close to .5"

This may be helpful - notice that they mention measuring the wheel at the outer rim for backspacing.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1441&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=688&iSubCat=1441


Here is how I think about it.

This picture depicts what would be considered a 9" wide wheel with 5.25" backspacing

This example has +1/4" offset (wheel spaced inward, more positive offset gives more backspacing)

9" wide wheel + .5" lip X 2 = 10" overall width (lip to lip)

If the wheel were centered the backspacing would be 5.00"


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/WheelJPG-1.jpg

Hopefully this was somewhat helpful - sometime I get pretty long winded and just start rambling :)

[Tony_SS]

Just go here and plug in the numbers:
http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

[O'Neall]

The YR1 Bandit cars don't have flared fenders above and beyond the factory "flaring"... IOW, YR1 uses stock fenders on those cars. If they tend to look a bit more pronounced it's an illusion created by the lowering of the car and the tucking of the wheels.

[Djchunter]

I dont mean to jump in or hack a thread, but would those same wheel measurement work on a camaro, given the smaller wheel well? Thanks,
Dave

[1FstChevy]

Yes, Camaro = Firebird, (only the Camaro is faster :) )

[PonchoJohn]

OMG!! That was funny... I almost shot beer out my nose:Alchy: faster... I love fairy tales!!
Camaro does not equal Firebird. The Birds can handle a larger wheel/tire package due to the larger wheelwells.

[PonchoJohn]

Oh yeah, I have C5 "wagon wheels" on my 71 T/A. It currently has 245-45's on 17-8's up front and 275-40's on 18-9.5's out back. I'm gonna go to a 255 and a 285 respectively. My car can handle these, no problem, so I imagine you should be good too. I had to use some wheel adaptors (approx. 2" and 2 1/4"), and there is mega room to the outside still! I'm sure I could get some 305 or 315's on it w/ a wider wheel and more outward spacing.

[nx74ls6]

I'm running 275/35/18 fr. and 295/35/18 rr. Only rub in the back on very uneven surfaces( like getting out of my driveway). I'm using Z0-6 (C5) wheels 18x9.5 fr and 18x10.5 rr.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/74LS6CAMAROPICS008-1.jpg

[1FstChevy]

Heh, o well perhaps I'm wrong about the wheel wells?! But I'm still sticking with my other statement.

My buddy has 2 77' Firebirds but I've never checked out his front inner wheel wells in detail, anyone know if those are actually larger??? and not uglier stamping than the Z28s? If so that might be of interest for added clearance when mine is slammed to the ground! :)