I am getting ready to order wheels for my 67 SS, I am going with 17*8 up front with 245-45*17, and want to go with 18*9.5 wheels in the rear with 275-40*18(I have some c5 take-off tires). Do i go with 5.5" backspacing or something else? I have drums on the rear for now, don't know if that makes a different or not. Anyway, let me know what you guys think.
Thanks.

 

You cannot fit 9.5 inch wheels in the rear of a 1st gen without a mini-tub.

 

Sure you can. You can run a 17*9.5 with 5.5-5.75 backspacing, depending on whether you have drums or discs, and 275-40*17's with no sweat. I have seen a bunch of them...which is why i want 18's! You only need a mini tub with anything greater I would say.
chad

 

You are right. I have 17x9.5 on mine with 285/40's, no problem. I'm sure that the backspacing will be the same with 18's, depending on tire height.

I don't know of any reason wy you'd need different bckspacing depending on type of brakes. Track width does not change between disc/drum brakes.

 

Ytry, you might be right about the brake setup, I had read that 5.75" b.s. will not work with drum brakes due to the inner wheel hitting or something like that...I dunno! What is the backspacing on your setup, and how much is it lowered? If it is. Let me know.

 

Anyone else have some input on the matter?

 

Sorry to just get back to you...

My backspacing won't help you much, since I have a 9" rear that's wider than stock Camaro. Because of this I atually run 6.25" Backspacing. The point is that there is enough room in thw wells for that much tire.

I have Hotchkis 2" lower leaf springs and a 1" block. It works real good.

I'll email pics to you if you like. Email me at ytry68@aol.com, if so.

 

Did you ever get you wheels? 5.5" bs will work whether you have disc or drum. You're only looking at the difference between a drum and a disc that might be 1/4". I'm running 5.5" bs, on a 17x9.5" wheel, with rear disc, and it fits great. I'm glad I didn't get the 5.75" because I heard they can rub, even with disc.

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