i have to order some new rims tomorrow.
i'd like to use the my old tires. i went out and measured myself but i'm not sure i've got the correct measurements.

i came up with 16x9.5 with 7 5/8 BS.

is this correct? i'm having a hard time finding other rims this size!
anything 9.5-10" wide seems to come in 17's but i want to use my old rubber!

thing is i did a rearend change and need 1.5" less back spacing to clear. i need to get this car on the road cuz i'm borrowing my dad's truck...

so PLEASE HELP!!


also what do i have to watch for to clear the calipers? anything special there?

thanks,
mike

 

You aren't measuring the wheels correctly. The "width" of a wheel is measured BETWEEN the bead flanges, not at the outside of the flanges. Stock wheels on your 94 are 16x8.0". They have a 55mm offset, which yields approx a 6-5/8" backspace. In all cases, these measurements are for the wheel alone, not to the outside edges of the tire.

You are saying you need 1.5" less backspace, which would appear to mean you swapped in a 3rd Gen rear, which is 3" narrower than a 4th Gen.

Before deciding on wheel width and tire size, you need to determine exaclty what you are trying to achieve... are you simply trying to duplicate the stock wheel/tire size with only a different backspace, or are you looking to put a little more rubber on the road, for increased traction/handling.

If all you are after is an equivalent to the stock wheel, with 1.5" less backspace, you would order a 16x8.0 17mm offset.

 

ok i see, now i was thinking of running a 10-10.5 tire, what rim size would i need for that? i'm running 4:10 gears and will have a cam shortly followed by a supercharger later. i want to make sure i can hook.

 

If you want "street" tires, the 16" diameter rim really limits the width you can get.... 255/50-16 is the largest - about a 10" section width.

If you are interested in a "competition" type tire, the Hoosier "Sports Car DOT - Radial" is available in a 275mm (11") section width. But that is a thin tread, soft compound, dry-only tire, not real usable for the street.

If you go to 17's, a 17x9.5 (45-55mm offset) will allow you to fit 275 or 285/40-17's for increased rubber on the road, and a 17x11 (50mm offset) will allow you to go up to a 315/35-17 (12.5" section width). Get a Nitto Drag Radial in that size and you should have enough traction......

 

ok, but when i subtract the 1.5" for my narrow rear that leaves be with an offset next to nothing. 17mm? can i even get a rim like that?

starting to think i have to mini-tub...

can anybody give me info on tubbing? for a 2" mini-tub what is required?

i'm gonna call a tire shop today about the rim size, see if they can help. smallest offset i've seen in mag's are like 1 5/8".