Does anybody know of the exact backspacing I would need to get 20" wheels under the back of my first gen convertible. Also any of ywho ou have done this please list your tires and size. I am looking to put the biggest combination back there and would consider relocating shocks if I really had too.

Mini tub and spring relocation are out for now.

I am also considering putting 20"s up front too but belive I would have to notch the clip.

Any expertise would be appreciated,

Thanks

James

68 Camaro Convertible
Muncie M-21
Stroked aluminum headed smallblock

WHY???

To each his own, but I honestly don't think our cars are right for wheels like that!!

pdq67

Okay, part of me agrees with you and has a full set of 15" rallyes with bias Redlines sitting in the garage on A SHELF. Nice to look at and occasionaly for a show. And I know If you are that Old Schooled you would say "don't even put radials on" right?

Then the other part of me says get the biggest and baddest handlers on my G-machine. 20's are not too big, they are not a Donk or Bubble or whatever Pimped out and I have not altered the body at all. But i am going thru the suspension to make this baby handle like a new car.

Anybody have 20's on their's?

james

Heresy! :noway:

You say, "...they are not a Donk or Bubble or whatever Pimped out", but it will be after you put 20's on it. Just doesn't look right on a 1st gen. It killed me to go to 17's, but I did. I like both old school and modern, but 17" is the absolute limit for my liking. Although, I have seen 18's on rear and 17's up front and it was pretty decent.

I agree..20's just don't look right on the 1st gen.The wheel wells are not in proportion plus the tires will have to have such a thin sidewall so they don't rub,it would be like rideing on rubber bands...I would say 18's max and your ride quality won't suffer as much.

This car was at a local car show not too long ago. I am not positive, but if I recall, it had 20s in front and 22s in the rear. I know their was another TC member at this show near the car, maybe if they see this they will verify the sizes.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd222/Made-in-the-USA/Goodguys%20Chicagoland%20Speedway%20Sept%202007/P9230710.jpg

If YOU want 20s that's what matters - it's not about what we want. Go over to www.lateral-g.net to see some 1st gen Camaros with 20s. To try answer your question how wide do you want to go in the back 8.5" 9.5" or 10"? I would stay away from 10s. They way too hard to get to fit. Even 9.5s have to be perfect. You could maybe get a 275/35-20 (or a 255/35 for a little more room for error) on a 9.5 with 5.5 backspace to work but it would be very tight. A sure fit is a 8.5 with 5.25" of backspace and a 255/35-20 tire. If you go this route I would suggest a 19x8 with a 235/35-19 and 4.75" of backspace in the front. 20s all around are a very tough fit in the front and I would stay away from that. Keep in mind IF you choose to go this route the ride height has to be low enough for the tops of the tires to be up inside the fenders. If not the car looks horrible (others are going to feel that way reguardless of the ride height as you have already read LOL)! Hope this helps - good luck with whatever you decide. You can also do a search in the wheel/tire forum for lots of reading on this.

Why ruin one of the best looking cars made ? It just dont go with the car.

This car was at a local car show not too long ago. I am not positive, but if I recall, it had 20s in front and 22s in the rear. I know their was another TC member at this show near the car, maybe if they see this they will verify the sizes.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd222/Made-in-the-USA/Goodguys%20Chicagoland%20Speedway%20Sept%202007/P9230710.jpg

The original designers would have a heart attack if they saw that silly-a$$ vehicle someone still wants to call a 1st gen. It looks like a cartoon car. Nobody needs to verify what size wheel s those are...because they're freakin' ridiculous no matter what size they are! To me, that's ^ like putting a mustache on the Mona Lisa. And a handlebar mustache, at that!:noway:

Yeah...I know...it's up to the owner. Just like kids wearing their pants around their knees or piercing their tongues. Yep, it's up to the owner ;) :D

If you put the 20's on you should also put fuzzy stuff on the dash and hang some dingle balls from the visor. Then get a good air bag set up to make it hop up and down and take it to State Fairs.

Okay, part of me agrees with you and has a full set of 15" rallyes with bias Redlines sitting in the garage on A SHELF. Nice to look at and occasionaly for a show. And I know If you are that Old Schooled you would say "don't even put radials on" right?

Then the other part of me says get the biggest and baddest handlers on my G-machine. 20's are not too big, they are not a Donk or Bubble or whatever Pimped out and I have not altered the body at all. But i am going thru the suspension to make this baby handle like a new car.

Anybody have 20's on their's?

james

How does adding unsprung weight help handling?

How does adding unsprung weight help handling?

100% correct.
If handling is the only reason for 20's, I'd advise against it. 17's or 18's will perform and look much better in addition to being significantly cheaper.

If it's for appearance, I'd say do whatever you think looks best.

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=11745&page=3

check this out for some big wheel action. I believe this is one of the nicest I seen with wheels that big. I like it as long as it doesnt compromise performance. I am personally going 18/19s on mine.

I really respect all of the attention i have gotten here and I did not even post this in the wheels section.

I haven't pulled the trigger on this yet so count on me to do the right thing and get the best of both worlds under the wheelwell.

Thanks guys and I really don't mind that this got a few of you hot under the collar. I can be quite traditional about these great cars too. but it's okay too have some fun as long as we don't look stupid doing it.

Thanks again


James

How does adding unsprung weight help handling?

I was staying out of this because it is entirely up to the owner (good example too, Kevin :D ) but this is one of my pet peeves about the so called "pro tour" fad cars. They say it's all about performance and making the car handle and perform like a new car, which may have originally been the case, but I refuse to see any benefit from wheels any larger than 17" from a performance standpoint, it's just a clearance nightmare and a bunch more unsprung weight.
If you like 20's or whatever then fine, but call it like it is, which in my opinion is just a bunch of bling fad "look how big my wheels are" posing.
Again no offense to people that like that style, to each thier own, but I think it is the most ludicrous looking thing I have ever seen (or maybe that should be "ludacris" which is what's probably playing on their stereo ;) ) and is only rivaled in uselessness by the 14 second, tubbed "pro street" cars of the 80's.
But what do I know, I'm just a drag racer who still thinks ralleys are sweet looking....:yes:

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=11745&page=3

I believe this is one of the nicest I seen with wheels that big. I like it as long as it doesnt compromise performance. I am personally going 18/19s on mine.

I'd hate to see the ones you didn't like :noway:

I'd hate to see the ones you didn't like :noway:

The ones that look like they are running the donut spares from new cars but that is solely my opinion and my opinion only. That is what is so good about this hobby, and that is the individualism that each can express with their vehicle.

The ones that look like they are running the donut spares from new cars but that is solely my opinion and my opinion only. That is what is so good about this hobby, and that is the individualism that each can express with their vehicle.

I know, Jay, and I agree. I'm just having a little fun :). No offense intended.

Oh no its ok but I have seen guys get torched just for this topic and hell I am a sucker for an underdog... LOL I just thought he was looking for opinions ideas and I was sharing an example. I really like the fact that there are so many different options that we can indulge ourselves with. I know I will get thrashed over my car from the nuts and bolts originals guys but I can handle it and it is mine...

What I haven't seen on a 1st gen is the 12" diameters that stick out past the fender 6" or more and have to mount flush with the brakes because they won't fit inside the rim. Although I am expecting to see one someday.

SEMA next year I guarantee it.... Thet are road testing them as we speak...

Why not right, they do have clear plastic wheels. Although I doubt I will see them on a road course, but someone will probably try it.

Also check out Larry C's great Pro-Touring site!

http://www.pro-touring.com/

Please say hello to Larry from ol' pdq67..

pdq67

There's a bunch of info in the Wheels and Tires section. Here's something from years gone by...http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=33181&highlight=slalom

What I haven't seen on a 1st gen is the 12" diameters that stick out past the fender 6" or more and have to mount flush with the brakes because they won't fit inside the rim. Although I am expecting to see one someday.

With hydraulics, right?