Will the 16x8 fit without sticking out past the fenders. I don't really want to go to 17s but the only rims I ever see are 16x8 and not 16x9 like the stockers are. If the 16x8s don't fit I guess i'll have to go with 17s I need new tires anyway. I might go with the Forged alloy Cragar S/S just to be a little different.

 

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I could have sworn that stock rim sizes are 16x8 and 17x9.5.

 

The stockers are 16 X 8

 

Whether the rims will "stick out past the fenders" has little if anything to do with the diameter and width. Within reason, where they sit is determined by the "offset" or "backspace". Stock wheels are 16x8 w/ 55mm offset. WS6/SS wheels are 17x9 w/ 55mm offset. You can easilly fit 17x9.5's (or 18x9.5's) in the front with a 45 to 55mm offset, and a 275 or 285 section width tire. You can fit 17x11 w/50mm offset in the back, with 315 tires, and some gentle rework of the inner fenders.

If I was buying new wheels, I would not even consider 16", unless you are looking at something for ET Streets... the 17x9.5's with 275/40-17 tires will provide a huge increase in straight line and cornering traction, with a small loss in HP due to the heavier weight. The traction gains should easilly offset the HP loss.

 

my bad I must have measured them wrong. Thanks for correcting me. How many inches is 55mm. Some wheels have the backspacing measured in inches.

 

Wheels 101

The width of the wheel is measured between the flanges, where the bead of the tire sits, not between the outer edges of the flanges. A 16x8 wheel will measure 9" wide if you measure it from the outside.

Offset is the distance the hub mounting flange is located from the centerline of the wheel. Offset is NOT the same as backspace. 55mm offset is 2.17". That means the backspace on a stock 16x8 wheel is about 6-5/8".

Backspace is measured from the face of the hub mounting flange to the extreme back of the flange that retains the tire bead. Backspace = 1/2 wheel width + offset + width of flange.