67 Firebird Wheel/Tire question

[Big Eddie]

O.K. I've been searching & would just like some confirmation. I know the Bird is like a Camaro, but just wanted to make sure fitment was the same.

On my 67 Firebird (stock suspension out back) I'm wanting to put a 18 x 9.5 (5.031 b.s.) on the rear with a 275-35-18. Will I run into any problems with fitment?

Also for front 18 x 8 (4.517 b.s.) with either 225-40 or 235-40....any problems...I have dropped spindles?

I'm looking at the BOSS 338 wheels, if that helps.

Thanks for any help.

[Tom Welch]

I have 17x8 with 4.5" back space running a 245/45r17 on the front of my 67 Firebird and 17x9 on the rear with a 24mm positive offset, or about 5.5" of backspace. I run a 275/40r17 rear tire, its close but it doesnt rub. The thing to realize is that your car is OLD and thus is going to have some side to side differences that are hard to notice or account for until you test fit a mockup of some kind. Some wheel vendors will allow you to purchase a wheel to test fit as long as no tire gets mounted and no scratches are present if it is returned. On my car which had been wrecked at least once in its life I found that a 17x9 fit the rear of the car pretty good once I got the offset right. After re-reading your post I highly recommend that you do some kind of test fit.

[Big Eddie]

Thanks for the reply Tom. I'm really familiar with mocking stuff up, measuring, etc. I was just hoping to get a quick answer without having to do all that. I see lots of "Camaro's" on here that run that same set up & seem to have no problem, but was hoping a "Firebird person" or Wheel Distributor might be able to give some quick insight too.

Thanks again for the reply.

[68400BIRD]

I don't have the sizes on me right now, but I can get them. I have a 17"x8" rim in the back and running the biggest Nitto tire that will fit the rim. I have a little under a 1/2 on both sides of the tire/rim to the inner wheel well and outer quarter. I'm just not sure how everyone is fitting 9.5 rims on their car. Unless you want the car up higher than the wheels. Once I get the full weight on my car it should settle down a few more inches and the tires will be tucked into the wheel wells.

[Big Eddie]

Thanks for the reply. When you get a chance let me know what size is on the rear. I'd like to know how all these guys do it to with a 9.5 on the rear? If it helps any, I'm looking at the Boss 338 rims.

[68400BIRD]

I'm not sure what happened. I posted the sizes but my comments are gone. The rear are 255-45-17 and they are a fairly tight fit once the car is lowered down.

[Big Eddie]

^^^^Thanks for the reply. I currently have a 255-50-17 on mine with what I'm told on a 9 or 9.5" rear wheel....but mine don't tuck right now. That's one reason I'm wanting to change up the wheels (lowering the car).

Thanks again.

[Tom Welch]

I believe that you may want to explore mini tubbing your car to get a wheel wider than 9" to fit properly. I'm thinking about going with a much wider rear wheel like a 13" width, in which case I would have to mini tub.

[Big Eddie]

I'm not ready to Mini Tub....so I'll probably stick with a 9" wheel. I guess I need to talk to one of the wheel distributors on here.

Thanks for the help.

[MACASIEBjj]

if youre still looking for answers, I stumbled across this thread in a camaro specific forum that may give you some insight. The guys is running the same exact set-up on a 67 camaro youre looking at and doesnt seem to have any problems

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=159541

[Big Eddie]

Thanks....I actually found that thread last week. Don't remember how I found it but I did.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

[Hugger67RSSS]

The boss 338 wheels in 9.5" will fit but you will not be able to tuck the wheel in the wheelwell. It depends how low you want the car. I know mine are fine with 3" lowered leafs. It would help if you rolled the quarters just in case.

[dws1216]

I have a 69 firebird with your desired set up. It did not fit. I had to roll the fenders and change rear ends. I used a rear off of a 69 camaro because it was a full one inch shorter than the pontiac rear end. I was lucky because I got the camaro rear end for free. Otherwise I don't think that it would have been worth it.

Don't quote me on these numbers but I believe the chevy rear was 54.5 inches long vs 55.5 inches pontiac.

Hope this helps.

[Big Eddie]

Thanks. I've got some 9.5" Eagle Alloys on the rear of mine right now, but if I was to lower it like I want they would rub. I may just go the safe route & do 8's all around. We'll see.

[MACASIEBjj]

Hugger67RSSS - I'm in the same scenario with Big Eddie but will be going with the Coy's C5's on 67 Camaro, on a 275/35/18 rear tire and 18x9.5 rim, how much more backspacing do you have to give to allow that rear tire to tuck if needed? With that backspacing, do you know how much space that leaves to play with in the inner and outer fender between the rubber? Thanks in advance