Ordered wheels and suspension

[73novaguy]

Well I ordered my new wheels today. They will be Boyd Smoothie II's in 17 by 7 with 4.5" bs and 17 by 8 with 5" bs. The front tires will be Hancooks (cheapies to get me round for a summer or so) in 245/45/17 and the rears will be 275/40/17. I got them through www.Coolwheels.com and price with rim, tire, lugs, caps, and shipping was $1500. Hope the Hancooks have at least some traction for the 502.

Also ordered Hotchkis TVS kit for a small block. From what I understand the big block that I have with aluminum heads, water pump, intake, and radiator wil weigh close to that of a small block!

[Nova73Hatchback]

Sweet! Make sure you take pics and lots of pics as this is what i wanna do to my 73 Nova!

Sean

[speed89]

Can't wait to see some pics

[dhardison]

Justin,

How are you fitting 245/45/17s and 4.5" bs on the front? Are your inner fenderwells removed? Have you test fit that size tire/wheel? My 235/45/17s and 3.95" bs rub badly when turning (2" drop).

The 275/40/17s and 5" bs on the rear should tuck in there nicely, tight, but nicely.

Dan

[73novaguy]

Hey Dan,

Datsbad had quoted me this:

"thanks for the compliments . the wheels are budnik sparks , 18x8 fronts with a 4.5 bs. the rears are 20x10 with a 5.25bs. there is a bout 1/4 room between the tire and the lip from rubbing . it rides so nice and does not rub anywhere. the rear lip is about 4.5 deep . it really looks great at the rear with that lip . remember these are the fat lip series wheels, they give you the appearance of a wider wheel with the way that lip is designed"

So the way I saw it was that if I had 17x7 with the same backspacing I would not rub on the front. On the rear I split the difference that you and him both had for backspacing, he had 5.25 inch bs and I beleive you told me (without checking my saved messages) you had 4.75 or 4.5 So I split the diff. I figured if I had to much bs on the front I could always through in a spacer, but if I didn't have enough I was up the creek with no paddle. I couldn't find the e-mail he dropped me, but I beleive the tire Datsbad was running was even wider yet! I don't have the tires mounted yet, but the rims will be what the rims are. The wheels will be done at Boyds on the 28th then back to coolwheels to mount and balance the tires! Do you see any problems? If so I can always call and get the tire size changed round. The TVS kit is only supposed to be a 1.5 to 1.75 drop in the front! or was I informed wrong! Let me know, thanks Dan

[dhardison]

Justin, My concern with the rear clearance is minimal. Are your fender lips rolled/trimmed? If not you might have some rubbing problems on the outer portion of the rear tire. You'll be fine on the inner rear. As a matter of fact I'm going to a 275/40 next time I replace my tires, if the 8" rim will handle it.

On the fronts you're sure to rub on the inner fenderwell when turning. If your car sits as low as mine on the front you'll also rub on the outside upper fenderwell when turning. Specifically the centermost fenderwell bolt - I changed mine to a button-head cap screw for more clearance and less chance of cutting. That'll be worse if you use a spacer. Don't get me wrong, I think it'll be fine for straight line driving, it's only when turning somewhat sharply and/or entering an inclined area (front suspension compressed) that you have rubbing problems.

My TVS kit only dropped the front ~1" over stock, but then again I got the BB coil springs (which I'm going to have to cut 'cause I want it another 1"-1.5" lower).

I CAN'T WAIT to see pics of your Nova with those wheels! Please send tons-o-pics!!

If you need me to take any measurements/pics/whatever just let me know.

HTH,
Dan

[69bigblock]

I was thinking about buying those same tires 245/45/17 w/4"bs on 17x7.
I've read that the 245/45 and 235/45 use a rim size7.5-9", so I was going to use 17x8's. Does .5 really make a difference? The rears were going to be 17x8 w/5.5bs, rite know I have 4.5bs and have 1.5" to spare and the tires I have now are basically the same size I going to use with the 17's.
Dan, did you ever get those 2" drop springs to settle?

[73novaguy]

Calling Datsbad, calling Datsbad, calling Datsbad!!!!!!

I wish Datsbad would chime in here and let us know how he got those wheels and tires of his to fit. From my few times of talking with him said there were no modifications to the car, stock subframe, inner fenders the whole nine yards! But what would you recomend Dan? What backspacing do you have? And correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't adding a half inch spacer to a 4.5 inch bs, make it 4 inch bs. And it will still be the 17x7 so it would be equivilent to what you are runing? I wanted the bigger bs for future use when I do a diff subframe and then can take out the spacers and allow for the biggest tire I can get on a 7 inch wide wheel. The reason I went with this combo is that I just took the "happy medium" so to speak of yours and Datsbad's. What are your suggestions? Anyone? How bout Trilogy? I know he is running 17's or 18's. I wonder what he has and what he has done!

[MrQuick]

Which car were these on? The green one? Don't freek out just put them on and make em fit. We ran 275's on the front of a 71 before, we just clearenced everything to fit right. Pictures please?!?!

[dhardison]

Hey 69bigblock, no, those coils haven't budged a bit. The car still sits 1" higher than it did with the stock springs. So, I guess I'll pull the coils (again) and cut a bit off......

Dan

[dhardison]

Justin, after re-reading all the posts I agree that the 4.5" bs on the front wheel shouldn't be a major issue. I'm running a 17x7 w/4" bs on the front. That extra 0.5" of bs on your wheels ALONG with the wider tire (I have a 235/45) will just make the inner fenderwell rubbing worse than what I currently experience. If you install a spacer and move the tire/wheel outward, then the tire will rub the upper fenderwell bolt even worse than mine does now. Again, this is only when turning and assuming your car sits as low as mine.

Now, let me also say that not all Novas are built alike. I've seen other '70s like mine that didn't have near the rubbing issues with the same tire/wheel combo, mainly because they didn't sit as low in the front. I agree with MrQuick, go with your current plan, and make them fit. I'm sure you'll be pleased with the result. I'm interested in Datsbad's details as well.

Dan

[73novaguy]

Ya definately! It would be nice to know what Datsbad and Trilogy have both done. They could supply us with some real world info (not just specs on a sheet) and let us know how it all adds up. I am gonna have to agree with Vince because the wheels are already being produced. That is the way I was planning in anyways! Wanted a little more bs and figured I could modify inner fenders to make it come together if need be! Plus I have read in a few posts that putting on new aftermarket disc brakes in the front will move the wheel outward a 1/4 inch or so, and this should put me in the ball park! Who knows! In a couple weeks I will tell you how bad they fit!!! hahahhaha

[Nova73Hatchback]

Anything new? Very interested for my 73'

Sean