9,5 wheel on 67 firebird

[E30M30]

I'm in the proces of buying a 67 firebird (maybe a 68) And I was wondering if a 9,5x17 would fit in the rear ? I would be the wheels and have them shipped over here to Europe. That's why I have to be sure if they fit...
Thanks Stefan

[JLM]

The best thing to do is get the car and then measure to be sure. The simple answer is that yes they will fit. HOWEVER each car is different and may require a different backspacing to fit properly without any rubbing issues.

I could say that a 17x9.5 with a 5.5 inch backspacing will fit but there is a chance that it may not. Especially if the rear-end in the car has been altered in any way by a previous owner. There is really just too many variables to give a deffinitive answer on it.

I would say again that you just need to measure it. Get some rulers out and measure how wide you can go in the back giving yourself about half and inch of room on either side of the wheel. Then measure backspacing from the surface of the drum or rotor that the wheel will be mounted to. That will give you your backspacing requirements. Also take into consideration tire buldge on the wheel. You could probably fit a 305 tire on your 9.5 wheel but then you increase the width as well to where the wheel/tire combo wouldn't work.

Hope this helps.

-Jason

[inSANe DIEGO]

I posted a link in a similar thread here that describes how to make a tool to check clearance and calc backspacing needed. search for the words "get a grip." That should get you there. If not, do a google search for the same words and that should get you to the article. I just confirmed that 17 x 8.5 wheels and 245/45 17 tires WILL fit on the front of my 67 Camaro with NO sheet metal modification!!!!!!! YIPPEE!!!!!


Oh yeah, almost forgot. That same article has info on the biggest meat combos on some popular vehicles including the 1st gen camaro. I'm pretty sure the firebird would be the same. They are a little on the conservative side. They had the front max as being 245/40 17 on an 8.5" wheel.