Fitment issues for 18" wheels?

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Apr 17, 2005 | 03:32 PM

corvettecris

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2004

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From: Charlotte NC

Fitment issues for 18" wheels?

I have asked this before, but I figure I will ask one last time before I just go ahead and order 18's for all four corners.

Is there any fitment issues for an 18 on the front? I noticed most people run all 17's, or 17 fronts with 18 backs. Is it because of fitment, or just too much bling?

I figure I can run 18's all around, 255/45 on the back, 245/45 on the front.

Opinions? Suggestions? I really am having a hard time deciding between the 17's and 18's.

Apr 17, 2005 | 04:27 PM

StingrayDK

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From: Denmark

I think you will be fine with 18" on a 4"bs on the front.

Im going with 18x9,5" on a 4.5"bs , but im installing flares.

Apr 17, 2005 | 04:56 PM

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

I am running 18 inch all around. Actually with the larger 18 inch it clears things that the 15 won't
On the front I run 18 x 8 with 4 inch backspacing with 255 x 45 x 18 tires. I can go lock to lock without hitting.

Apr 17, 2005 | 06:42 PM

Slownlow

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From: middleburg fl

what did you go with on the rear the same?

Apr 17, 2005 | 06:48 PM

Taijutsu

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From: Stockton Ca

Wheather you go 17 or 18 you can go wider. Most guys can run 9.5s w/o problems. 275/50/17 is a little over 27" tall. 18s will have shorter sidewall and ride harsher. JMHO

Rick

Apr 17, 2005 | 08:29 PM

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slownlow

what did you go with on the rear the same?

I went with 10 x 18 with 6 1/2 inch backspacing. These will NOT fit unless there is extensive mods to the rear suspension/trailing arms/frame.

Apr 17, 2005 | 08:41 PM

70 LS1

Melting Slicks

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From: Gig Harbor Wa

I did the 17's on the front and 18's on the back for two reasons. The 18's look too big up front and the car looks better with larger wheels on the back and smaller up front.

Apr 17, 2005 | 08:45 PM

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

This is a couple of shots of my front 18 inch rims. I needed 18 inch fronts to clear my 14 inch rotors.
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Apr 17, 2005 | 10:10 PM

Red73

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From: Fairport NY

I went with 17x8s on the front and 18x10s on the rear. I would think that 18x8s with 4" back spacing would work without modifications.

Last edited by Red73; Apr 18, 2005 at 08:20 AM.

Apr 17, 2005 | 10:27 PM

#10

jake1

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From: Murphy Texas

Got a 71 coupe, I just put on last Sat. 17 X 8 4"BS Boyds Smoothies with 255/45/17 Nitto's and I was very happy the 17's, they look killer. Nice fit, nice ride.

Apr 17, 2005 | 11:30 PM

#11

corvettecris

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Burning Brakes

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From: Charlotte NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70 LS1

I did the 17's on the front and 18's on the back for two reasons. The 18's look too big up front and the car looks better with larger wheels on the back and smaller up front.

70 LS1, you said that you fit 275s without any mod other than your eBrake? Did you just disable it, or move it?

Apr 18, 2005 | 02:43 AM

#12

Tomi72

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From: Finland

My fronts are 18x8 with 4"BS and 245/45 tires, the rears are 18x9 with 4.5" BS and 255/45 tires. They fit ok without any rubbing ( I had to ziptie the parking brake cables to the trailing arms at the rear though).

Apr 18, 2005 | 04:33 AM

#13

Graemeinvette

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From: Edinburgh

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taijutsu

Wheather you go 17 or 18 you can go wider. Most guys can run 9.5s w/o problems. 275/50/17 is a little over 27" tall. 18s will have shorter sidewall and ride harsher.

Agreed but there is a very limited tyre choice with 17's

Apr 18, 2005 | 08:51 AM

#14

70 LS1

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From: Gig Harbor Wa

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvettecris

70 LS1, you said that you fit 275s without any mod other than your eBrake? Did you just disable it, or move it?

With the new rotors, I can't run the stock ebrake setup so I removed the cable. The bracket is still there in the stock location and actually sits inside the wheel. If you can't move the bracket, you could always zip tie the cable to the trailing arm as Tomi72 did.

And yes, you can run 275's on the rear with no problem.

Apr 18, 2005 | 09:42 AM

#15

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

Red73. I am impressed with the fit of your 10 inch rims on the back.

Apr 18, 2005 | 09:56 AM

#16

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

This is a shot of my 18 x 10 with 285 x40 tire.

This is a shot of how it fits inside the fender well. With proper backspacing and a little work it is centered in the well and easily fits.

Apr 18, 2005 | 10:41 AM

#17

Red73

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From: Fairport NY

Norval, When are we going to see some pics of your car outside. I've been following the progress on your car and it looks awesome. Love the 18s. Rod

Apr 18, 2005 | 10:50 AM

#18

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

It is comming out this comming weekend if the weather is nice and I will have to take pictures. The problem is I don't think I can post them here. They would have to go in the general section.