ny_z28man

I have a choice between a wheel backspacing of 4.5" and 5.5" What would be the right size for my 96 Z28 with 275 40 17 tires?
Thanks,
-Paul

ny_z28man

Anyone know????????? Or at least know who could tell me???

caspergotaz28

How wide is the rim going to be? 8.5", 9", 9.5"????

Injuneer

A 275/40-17 should not be mounted on anything narrower than a 17x9" wheel (some manufacturers. like Dunlop, will allow 8.5"). The factory 17x9 wheels (SS/WS6) have a 55mm offset, which works out to about a 7-1/8" backspace. I have used a couple of different 17x9.5" wheels with the 275/40's and offsets ranging from 49mm - 56mm (approx. 7-1/8" to 7-3/8" backspace).

The wheels you are looking at don't sound right. A 5.5" BS will work with an 8" wide wheel in the back, like with a drag tire, but 275/40's are too big for an 8" wide wheel.

ny_z28man

Hey, this is a 17X9 Cragar S/S Wheel (series 61). I have it down to needing 17X9 and a 5X4.75 bolt pattern. All i need now is to know what rear spacing to mount them on my car. In Jegs they give a 4.5" and a 5.5 inch rear spacing model. I know they fit my car cause ive seen camaros with them on. But i just dont know which one to get. thanks,
-Paul

Injuneer

OK..... let's talk in terms of "frontspace". The stock 16x8 wheel sticks out about 2.3" from the mounting hub. The SS/WS6 17x9 sticka out about 2.8" from the hub. The wheels on my car have a 3.25" frontspace" in the front, and a 4.0" "frontspace" in the back:

17x9.5 (6.75" BS) front / 17x11 (7.93 BS) rear

With a 5.5" backspace (4.5" frontspace), your S/S's will stick out .75" further in the front, and .50" further in the rear. The tires will be outside the fenders. With a 4.5" backspace (5.5" frontspace), it gets another 1" wider on each side.... way outside the fenders.

Check around.... I know I have seen dealers advertising the Cragar S/S for the 4th Gen...... but they would definitely have a larger backspace than 5.5".