OK... so I'm looking at Don Estel's super-fine black 69 on page 54 of the September Pop Hot Rodding. Article sez the rears are 275-60R15 on 8" torque thrust IIs. They fill the wheelwell really nice. Anyone with any ideas as to what it took to get this fitment? Backspacing? Roll the lip? DO they rub? C'mon, Don, are you out there? Tell us!

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Photos of my 1969 Camaro project car - 383 stroker, T56

http://community.webshots.com/user/rswhite

It took a miracle! Since he's my best friend I figured I'd answer as he doesn't use a computer.

They're 15X8" with 5" b.s. One side needed an 1/8" spacer to clear the inner fenderwell. The other side needed some trimming to the lip; fairly minor, can't see it unless you get under the car. Obviously the rear end isn't perfectly centered in the car. They're close but look great and don't rub now.

Jody

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MY CAMARO (http://www.camcojb.com)

I had 275 60/15s on 7" rims with no problem at all. I guess the extra inch of width causes a section width problem.

Yeah, Estel's car is SWEET! That thing looks SO straight. Camaro Performers material for sure.

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Updated Pics of my 69 (http://webpages.charter.net/gulb93/index.htm)

Thanks, Jody! I knew that someone connected with the car must be on camaros.net! Thanks for the fitment detail. A couple more questions, (actually, a bunch!) if you don't mind...Is the 10-bolt rear the original from the car, with drums?... Was the 5" wheel BS standard, or was it a special-order deal? ...When you say the lip had to be trimmed...how much are we talking about, in terms of amount removed from outside to inside, as well as how much of the arc of the wheelwell? Do you think the lip could have been rolled to get the same result, or was cutting the only option?(Any pics?) ...Has Don ever had this setup to the strip, and does it ever rub under hard acceleration? And if he has taken it to the strip, how does it hook up? Is he happy with the BFG Drag Radials? Has he done any other mods to the rear suspension? Don's in Elk Grove, right? Are you local as well? (I'm over in Tracy). BT, you mentioned the use of the same tire on a 7" rim, will consider that as well. Thanks! -Rob

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Photos of my 1969 Camaro project car - 383 stroker, T56

http://community.webshots.com/user/rswhite

Hey Rob- I just thought I'd chime in and say hi, since I live in Manteca, and work in Tracy. We should meet up sometime.

email me.... DRJDVM@attbi.com

Anyway.... Don had 8 inch rims with 5 inch BS and he had to modify the lip and fenderwell to get them to fit ??? That seems strange to me since alot of people are running 9.5 inch rims without a problem. I Guess it has to do with most people running 5.5 inch BS on the rear with a 40 or 45 tire rather than a 60 series.

Ned

[This message has been edited by DRJDVM (edited 11-13-2002).]

Rob,

The lip could have been rolled and made it clear. He didn't want to roll the lip and wanted to keep the stock fenderwell trim so he trimmed it instead.

The 5" b.s. is a custom offset with them; most of the ones you need for our Camaro's are custom offsets with AR. He got them through http://www.wheelsforless.com/

They were $40+ per wheel cheaper than Summit on the wheels. He now has my 12 bolt in the car with SSBC rear disc brakes. You could not run this offset with drum brakes; you'd need to deduct 1/4" (the difference in width between the drum and rotor) so you'd want 4.75" of backspacing.

It actually cleared fine at 5" with disc brakes but he put the spacer in the passenger side as he thought it didn't look centered from the rear. The spacer caused him to trim the outer lip a little.

It does not rub at all, under acceleration or at any time. The drag radials hook much better than regular tires; they still spin in first and second but at least the car is moving forward well. He also has Cal Tracs he got from me that helped quite a bit. He hasn't had the car to the track yet.

I live about 8 minutes from him in Wilton.

Jody

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MY CAMARO (http://www.camcojb.com)

[This message has been edited by Camcojb (edited 11-13-2002).]

Thanks for the info, Jody. I've got a 12 bolt w/stock drums now, but will eventually install rear discs. So I'll probably get the 5" BS and use a pair of 1/4" spacers...by the way, where do ya get spacers, anyways? I never seem to see them offered anywhere...

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Photos of my 1969 Camaro project car - 383 stroker, T56

http://community.webshots.com/user/rswhite

Mr Gasket makes them. About $11 a pair from Jegs or Summit. We got them from the local tire and wheel store. I think he used the 7/32" ones as they didn't have exactly 1/4"; it was close enough.

Jody

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MY CAMARO (http://www.camcojb.com)

Thanks Jody. I was checking out some pricing on the tires and wheels today at BIG-O (just happened to be near one at lunchtime). They indicated about 3 weeks leadtime on the wheels (special order).

27560R15 BFG Drag Radial: $163.75 ea
Torque Thrust II 15x8 w/5"BS: $210 ea
mount/bal $15 /per wheel+tire
Plus tax on the whole shebang.


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Photos of my 1969 Camaro project car - 383 stroker, T56

http://community.webshots.com/user/rswhite