I want to place my order for rims a soon as possible to cut down the wait time. I have a '68 RS with a 12 bolt posi rear that sits the same as the previos stock 10 bolt. It still has the stock rear drums and I don't really have any interest in upgrading to rear discs. From the vast knowledge base on this site, will I have any problems if I order the following:

Front: 17x8 (4.5" bs) 245/45/17
Rear: 17x9.5 (5.5 bs) 275/40/17

The shootout between the rims is the Boyd cast "Smoothie" vs. Torq Thrust IIs

The shootout between the tires is BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW (not KDWS) vs. Bridgestone Potenza RE750 (this must be a new version because the 275 size won't be available til 6/6/03)

I'm open to all opinions/criticisms - we're talking major cash here and I want to get it right the first time.

Ozzie

Hey Ozzie, if you have or are going to have front disc brakes you will want to use a 17x8 w/5" bs. You should also change the rear to 5.25" bs since drums are a 1/4" thinner than discs.

I would go with the Boyd wheels...I like them much better. And I would choose the g-Force tires.

Your tire sizes are fine and will look very good!!

Ozzie,

I wouldn't go anything smaller than 5.5" backspacing in the rear. I ordered 5.5" backspacing and was extremely disappointed because they would leave me no room for disc brake conversion in the future. I was able to return the wheels and I reordered them with a 5.75" backspacing. Currently I run a .200" spacer to duplicate the effect of running rear disc. Not to disagree with Anthony, but in my opinion, I truly believe it is better to rub on the inside rather than the outside. In addition, once you order a backspacing that pushes the wheel out there is nothing you can do. If you are to far in you can always add a spacer to push the wheel out. If you need to order a spacer I recommend you order billet aluminum, I have seen the cast ones crack

ED

I agree, get the 5.5" bs. I've put these on two 1st gens with drumb, no rubbing.

Ozzi,
I am getting ready to do the same thing but am going with the TTII's.

After lots of research I came up with the same numbers you have but it sounds like the team is recommending the following:

If you plan to go to disk in the front and rear then: 5.00 BS front and 5.75 in the rear.

If you plan to stay drum then: 4.75 BS front and 5.5 BS rear.

I have 4 wheel drum now but plan on going to 4 wheel disk.

Any additional confirmation out there?

order: 17x8 w/5" bs 245/45/17
17x9.5 w/5.5" bs 275/40/17

You may need to use a 1/4" spacer with drums but will work with no problems when using discs. This is the works every time combo. :cool:

My thread went quiet for a couple of days, so I thought that was it. I went ahead and placed the order Friday. I guess I forgot to mention that I DO have discs in the front.

I did mention that I have drums in the rear, but don't plan to change them as I like the way it stops. BIG improvement over when I had 4-way drums. Never say never, right?

It's only been one day, I'm sure they haven't started the casting process on mine already. Why else would it take 4 weeks?

Ozzie

fastercar68- I ordered My Smoothie II's on 4/12 and on friday (4/25) they called me to tell me they are ready for me to pick up. This was a lot faster than the 6 weeks I was told. I got 40% off deal $800 for a set of 4.

They do not make Smoothie II's in 17X9.5 so I ordered 17x10's with 5.75 BS (may user spacer) and 17X8's 5.0 BS. Like others of said you can always add a spacer but you cannot go the other way.

My tires of choice are Kumho Ecsta MX. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+MX I feel these are by far the best bang for your buck performance tire. Good for lite autocross and cayon carving. These are going on a 67' Firebird.

[ 04-26-2003, 11:23 PM: Message edited by: HOT OHC ]

Ozzie,
So what rim size and back spacing did you decide to go with?

John

I just called in my change this morning and here's what I'm going with:

Front: 17x8 5" bs
Rear: 17x9.5 5.5" bs

According to a post a couple up, I might see these rims in as little as two weeks.

I'm looking forward to the new look as I've had Centerlines on the car for the past 14 years. I was young and didn't know much about wheel sizing, and just drove to Super Shops (remember them?) and told them to put wheels and tires on. I ended up with 15x7 and 15x8.5 - both with the 3.3" backspacing. Not so bad on the front, but the back tires stick out quite a bit. Definitely a circa late eighties look.

Thanks for all the replies. This will give me the motivation to figure out how to post pictures and create a link in my signature.

Ozzie graemlins/beers.gif

I would have selected the same size and BS that you went with.
Good luck and let us know how they fit.
I have a couple more weeks to wait until I order mine.