wheeles and tires

[blackchevy3de]

i have a 72 chevelle and im thinking about putting on 18/8/wheels ,with 5.5 backspacing .tires are 245/40zr.97w can you tell me if that will work , i know nothing about backspacing

[Sieg]

The wheel manufacturer or vendor would probably be your best source of information.

http://forums.g2ic.com/images/imported/2012/01/731.jpg

[JayR]

That backspacing will be close up front but will be way too small to fill out the rear. Why put 8s with 245s on the back of a car that can hold 10s with 295s unless you're just trying to do a budget cruiser that will never turn a tire in anger or clip an apex at 9/10.

[jy211]

go bigger than 18" :poke:

[Formula43 Wheel]

We just installed and set of 18" wheels & tires on a 72 Chevelle.

Front = 8.5X18, 5.00" backspacing

Rear = 10.5X18, 6.25" backspacing.

Tires, 245 front and 295 rear.

Hope this helps!

[blackchevy3de]

do you have any pictures of rear of 72 and side view, like to see the look, looking to fill wheel well without rubbing , if you can help with that my email is [email protected]

[Formula43 Wheel]

The Chevelle is on Hot Rod Power Tour this week displayed in the Mothers Polish Booth.

See this thread for photos: http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=41553

Brian's 72 is a original SS car (expect for the black interior, should be white for a white striped car) with no body modifications. Meaning the fenders, rocker panels, fender lips, etc. have not been modified. We built the wheels on a conservative side as far as wheel and tire fitment. With rolling or cutting the big rear fender lips we could have squeezed an 11.0" wide wheel. We went with a 10.5" wide and kept the tire away for that original fender lip.

On the front you have a lot of room to the inside. You could go as wide as a 10.0" for track use and depending on your suspension set up. We kept it narrow with a 8.5" with a 245 tire. If we were to do it again I would recommend a 9.0" wide with a 255 tire.

One thing about these big Chevelle's is they make 18" wheels look small. I would recommend a 19" wheel and tire package. Better tire diameter selection in 19" compared to 18" and the overall finished look is better.

Good luck!