Wheel Size (Again)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Federal Way WA
Wheel Size (Again)
I have a few questions. I am very new to suspension and wheel upgrades, and I am requesting the help of you forum members with bigger wheels and upgraded suspensions.
I'm looking at a set of 18" wheels for my 1978 SA. I've researched here on the forums, but I can't find a straight answer. The set I'm looking at is this:http://oewheelsllc.com/Wheels_3/Whee...heels-Chrome_3
What do I have do to make these wheels flush with the flares/fenders, and not rub? Thanks so much.
I've been searching so much stuff that my mind is just aching.
Thanks in advance!
-Damon
I'm looking at a set of 18" wheels for my 1978 SA. I've researched here on the forums, but I can't find a straight answer. The set I'm looking at is this:http://oewheelsllc.com/Wheels_3/Whee...heels-Chrome_3
What do I have do to make these wheels flush with the flares/fenders, and not rub? Thanks so much.
I've been searching so much stuff that my mind is just aching.
Thanks in advance!
-Damon
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Those wheels need adapters to correct the backspace to work even if they did fit.
A 18X10.5" rear wheel won't fit. A 18x10 with a 5.5 backspace may fit. You might have interference with the edge of the rear spring, rear sway bar, or parking brake cable. A 18x9.5 with a 5" backspace and a 275/40 tire should fit with little to no issues. If you want to go with OEM type wheels and adapters consider 18x8.5 for the front and 18x9.5 for the rear. As you already know there is lots of reading on this. You can do a search using "adapters" and "18s" to get a better idea on what you want to do.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
Ah the fun topic of wheels on a c3 ha ha. It took me ages to sort it out as the rear anti roll bar can foul the wheel, so can the handbrake cable bracket and the leaf spring.....
Each car is different, I have 285/40/17's on mine and they rub a tiny bit, you have an easier job fitting 18's than 17's as there's more things to foul with the 17. ( I had to move the handbrake bracket and get a shorter spring, but that's with 17's)
Go with the advice from the previous poster or copy something someone else has done
Each car is different, I have 285/40/17's on mine and they rub a tiny bit, you have an easier job fitting 18's than 17's as there's more things to foul with the 17. ( I had to move the handbrake bracket and get a shorter spring, but that's with 17's)
Go with the advice from the previous poster or copy something someone else has done
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 148
From: East London/SW Essex UK
I used 18 x 9 on the rear of my '68 with 285/40's and 5" b/s - even though measuring it showed a good 1/2" clearance to inner chassis during 'energetic' covering it shows signs of lightly rubbing. I have no issue with outer fender - and using 8" fronts with stock b/s the track front and rear is the same. Spring sits 'inside' wheel and I junked roll bar.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Federal Way WA
Alright alright. How about this.
18x9.5 in back and 18.8.5 in front. I'd be running 275-40-18s in rear and 245s in front.
Rears: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...61c0/overview/
Fronts: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...1c10/overview/
Rears are 18x9.5 with 5.25 backspace.
Fronts are 18x8.5 with 5.125 backspace.
I'm hoping these are a bit better choice.
Thanks in advance!
-Damon
18x9.5 in back and 18.8.5 in front. I'd be running 275-40-18s in rear and 245s in front.
Rears: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...61c0/overview/
Fronts: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...1c10/overview/
Rears are 18x9.5 with 5.25 backspace.
Fronts are 18x8.5 with 5.125 backspace.
I'm hoping these are a bit better choice.
Thanks in advance!
-Damon
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
The rears should be OK.
The fronts I think still may be a little too deep.
Are you dead set on chrome? If you're on a tight budget and like the style of the 1st set of wheels you posted I think you would be better off with a set of OEM "take offs" in the correct widths and buy the correct size adapter to place the wheel where it needs to be in the wheel well. The quality of chrome on a wheel in this price range is not going to be that durable and will probably peel at some point. "Take offs" can be found at reasonable prices it you do your homework. Buy a quality set of adapters and you should be able to stay within your budget. Of course it's your car and you need to do what makes you happy. I'm just throwing out some alternatives.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Find another set of wheels!
Those wheels need adapters to correct the backspace to work even if they did fit.
A 18X10.5" rear wheel won't fit. A 18x10 with a 5.5 backspace may fit. You might have interference with the edge of the rear spring, rear sway bar, or parking brake cable. A 18x9.5 with a 5" backspace and a 275/40 tire should fit with little to no issues. If you want to go with OEM type wheels and adapters consider 18x8.5 for the front and 18x9.5 for the rear. As you already know there is lots of reading on this. You can do a search using "adapters" and "18s" to get a better idea on what you want to do.
Those wheels need adapters to correct the backspace to work even if they did fit.
A 18X10.5" rear wheel won't fit. A 18x10 with a 5.5 backspace may fit. You might have interference with the edge of the rear spring, rear sway bar, or parking brake cable. A 18x9.5 with a 5" backspace and a 275/40 tire should fit with little to no issues. If you want to go with OEM type wheels and adapters consider 18x8.5 for the front and 18x9.5 for the rear. As you already know there is lots of reading on this. You can do a search using "adapters" and "18s" to get a better idea on what you want to do.
I have a staggered set with 18x8.5 fronts and 18x10 rears. I would like to use 245/40 front and 285/35 rear...
And I'm guessing from what I've read that 5.125 BS is the best for an 18x8.5 and 5.5 BS is the best for an 18x10 rear?
Thanks--just confirming...
thanks
Last edited by JCPerformance; Apr 12, 2013 at 03:26 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
I know this is an older post, but is this the optimum for what I have??
I have a staggered set with 18x8.5 fronts and 18x10 rears. I would like to use 245/40 front and 285/35 rear...
And I'm guessing from what I've read that 5.125 BS is the best for an 18x8.5 and 5.5 BS is the best for an 18x10 rear?
Thanks--just confirming...
thanks
I have a staggered set with 18x8.5 fronts and 18x10 rears. I would like to use 245/40 front and 285/35 rear...
And I'm guessing from what I've read that 5.125 BS is the best for an 18x8.5 and 5.5 BS is the best for an 18x10 rear?
Thanks--just confirming...
thanks
and 17 x 9.5" (5.25BS) and it's about as tight as it gets
You'll have more luck with the 18 as the trailing arm tapers away
I've heard 18 x 10 with a 5.5BS works but don't quote me....
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
I know this is an older post, but is this the optimum for what I have??
I have a staggered set with 18x8.5 fronts and 18x10 rears. I would like to use 245/40 front and 285/35 rear...
And I'm guessing from what I've read that 5.125 BS is the best for an 18x8.5 and 5.5 BS is the best for an 18x10 rear?
Thanks--just confirming...
I have a staggered set with 18x8.5 fronts and 18x10 rears. I would like to use 245/40 front and 285/35 rear...
And I'm guessing from what I've read that 5.125 BS is the best for an 18x8.5 and 5.5 BS is the best for an 18x10 rear?
Thanks--just confirming...
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
I have a few questions. I am very new to suspension and wheel upgrades, and I am requesting the help of you forum members with bigger wheels and upgraded suspensions.
I'm looking at a set of 18" wheels for my 1978 SA. I've researched here on the forums, but I can't find a straight answer. The set I'm looking at is this:http://oewheelsllc.com/Wheels_3/Whee...heels-Chrome_3
What do I have do to make these wheels flush with the flares/fenders, and not rub? Thanks so much.
I've been searching so much stuff that my mind is just aching.
Thanks in advance!
-Damon
I'm looking at a set of 18" wheels for my 1978 SA. I've researched here on the forums, but I can't find a straight answer. The set I'm looking at is this:http://oewheelsllc.com/Wheels_3/Whee...heels-Chrome_3
What do I have do to make these wheels flush with the flares/fenders, and not rub? Thanks so much.
I've been searching so much stuff that my mind is just aching.
Thanks in advance!
-Damon
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I think what you have for the rear should be fine althought you may want to consider the little taller 285/40-18 tire. The front could be a problem as the backspace is maybe too deep. On the 8.5 wheel in the front I would be more comfortable with a backspace that is in the 4.5" to 4.75" area. The good news is there is a least one car on this forum running a 18x9.5 with about 5.5" backspace so yours should work but the front tires may look like they are sitting too far inside the front wheelwells. I'm sorry to say you're going to have to try it and see. It could work but you may not be happy with how it looks. There is always spacers or adapters to reposition the wheel if it comes to that. Sorry I can't give you a more confident response.
I don't have anything yet.
But-- if I wanted an 18x8.5 front and 18x10 rear, I just wanted to know what would be the absolute optimum backspacing for those widths?? (Going on a 1970-72)
Thanks a ton.
Last edited by JCPerformance; Apr 13, 2013 at 09:40 AM.