Need help with rim/tire sizing selection - 1968 Camaro with Ridetech kit

[G_skillz81]

Ok guys, I need some solid advice here as I am overseas and if I get wheels that won't fit getting another set may be a bit difficult

What I have is 1968 Camaro, stock subframe. I just ordered the Ridetech level 2 kit with the tru-turn upgrade (big thanks to Matt at MCB ) and now need to pick some rims. I know that the Tru-turn kit is supposed to give the ability to run a 10" wide front tire and with minitubs and the 4-link I am good for a 12" rim in the back. So technically I should be able to run 18x10's upfront and 18x12's in the back with 275/35s and 315/30s ....but... I would like the wheels to tuck in the wheel wells in the lowest suspension setting (fender lips are not rolled), anyone have experience with a similar setup that could suggest what backspacing I should go with and/or if I need to go smaller on the rim/tire width


Also, any suggestions on rims are welcome


This is a pic of the car from the paintshop...chrome deleted or blacked out, so looking mostly at black/smoke rims

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/02/52d0874edba5ff15d02c5c1cf127a2eb-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/02/719110d7494560af8519784b5546514a-1.jpg

[JayR]

Even Ride-Tech will tell you that 10s on a 67-68 are a real squeeze and they did some fairly elaborate metal surgery to the sheetmetal to squeeze the 10s and with fresh paint on your car, I would say that ship has sailed so I would suggest 9s which I'm pretty certain Ride-Tech would tell you as well. Speaking of Ride-Tech, their staff is super knowledgeable and they've already been down the very path you're on, so drop them a line.

As for wheels, Rushforths of course!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/459419_10151687352145375_228682575374_23-1.jpg

[G_skillz81]

Even Ride-Tech will tell you that 10s on a 67-68 are a real squeeze and they did some fairly elaborate metal surgery to the sheetmetal to squeeze the 10s and with fresh paint on your car, I would say that ship has sailed so I would suggest 9s which I'm pretty certain Ride-Tech would tell you as well. Speaking of Ride-Tech, their staff is super knowledgeable and they've already been down the very path you're on, so drop them a line.

As for wheels, Rushforths of course!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/459419_10151687352145375_228682575374_23-1.jpg

Thanks Jay!

I'm actually pretty much set on Night Trains in matte black )))) just need a bit of a deal to get them in my budget with all my other purchases

[boostin05blacksti]

Hey the paint looks awesome. I have ridetechs try-turn kit, front muscle bar and stock frame, uppers and lower (control arms are on order) and have done a lot of reading as I also wanted to nail the stance and have the wheels fit correctly. My situation is a bit different but we are after the same goal. After reading a 10" will not fit without a roll/pull and some metal work. In the pictures below I have a 18x9.5 (8" barrel/ 1.5" lip) but the backspacing is 7.10" so I needed to change my wheels with new lips and barrels. I read the majority of people running 9, 9.5, and 10" are using 5.5 - 5.75" of backspacing. So knowing that we went with 6.5 barrels and 3" lips. They are not here yet but even with them I may have to do a little roll. I would think a 9" would be a safe option and you can still fit your 275 up front.

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

Here are some pictures of the front spacing to show you. Im on air so the the first picture is semi up which reads about 1.5" and the other two are dumped and reads about 2".
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/02/DCE534C953E84D8D9357980E0607C52169000000-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/02/A8C4FBA012EF4E5E9E2553BB496E17BC69000000-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/02/C82A63D6B35B4DDBA1EB9ED8E02F5DC169000000-1.jpg

Once I get the new lips if I can remember Ill grad some new pictures..good luck.

[G_skillz81]

Thanks for the info Boostin! And the pics! This does help a lot. I bet that 3" lip on the front is gonna look great ))) can I ask what backspacing/wheel specs you run in the back?

[GeoffP]

I wish someone would compile a chart of what works for 1st gen's including the rear axle width. In my case, I'm using a stock width axle since my car has an OE 12 bolt in it already. I'll be subscribing to this for sure!

[G_skillz81]

I wish someone would compile a chart of what works for 1st gen's including the rear axle width. In my case, I'm using a stock width axle since my car has an OE 12 bolt in it already. I'll be subscribing to this for sure!

yeah, you'd think somwthing like a chart would exsits considering how popular all this stuff seems to be

here's something https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?90887-Rushforth-Wheel-Porn&p=962631#post962631 that car runs an aftermarket front subframe and I'm not sure about the rear axlewidth as I have seen people saying they run up to 6.75 rear backspacing on an 18x11 rim


I was really hoping someone from Ridetech would chime in on this ....I'm sort of thinking 18x9 with 6.25 bs and 18x11 rear with 5.75 or maybe 6 in the back to be on the safe side (I guess I could always use a spacer to make up for extra bs)

[Smittys]

No one wants to give a chart then have someone order wheels and have them wrong. I have a chart for all the first gen stuff for fitment with DSE and Ridetech. Using a 12 inch rear wheel on a 68 is a super tight fit. If anyone needs help getting close you can contact me and I will get you close.

Chris

[GeoffP]

I think I'm just going to stick with my original plan and buy a set of ZR1 replica's until I can afford to buy a set of custom fit "nice" wheels. I will however watch this thread for additional info!

I agree that it is risky to post a chart but it's easy enough to put an "ID10T" disclaimer on the chart to state no responsibility for wheels ordered using the chart sizing and offset.

[G_skillz81]

Ok, so today I had a guy drive by the paintshop and measure the available front and back space from the wheel mounting surface

It looks like I have

Front - 4.3" of frontspace and 7.8 to the fender well for backspacing

Rear - 3.5" of frontspace (to the inner fender lip) and 6.29" of backspace clearence to the stock fender well


Does that sound about right?

[boostin05blacksti]

Thanks for the info Boostin! And the pics! This does help a lot. I bet that 3" lip on the front is gonna look great ))) can I ask what backspacing/wheel specs you run in the back?

No problem. 5.75" backspacing on the rear wheels which are 18x12 w/ a 335 and I am not sure what a stock 12 bolt width is but my rear had been narrowed to 55 1/2" hub to hub. The new front barrels should be here early next week so once I get them together and on ill snap some shots. Also below is a link to my build to help you and others out with questions..most of the info is located in there. Hope that helps. Thanks, Steven

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?68622-67-Camaro-Dad-and-Son-build

[G_skillz81]

Ok, I'm looking at this calculator here http://www.mrw-wheels.com/wheel%20tech/offset%20chart.html

And looking at my available frontspace in the back with the current rear end, I need to run like 8.75" of backspace to fit an 11" rim.