I have the American Eagle Alloy Series #203 rims on my '86 Firebird and I had installed stainless steel wheel accents under the rims. Well it turned out to be a nightmare. Granted they looked awesome on my Firebird to see a mirror image behind my rims but they rubbed so damn much against my calipers on my disc brakes that they made the loudest sound ever!!! What I was wondering if I could somehow install some type of stainless steel plate or something behind my rims to give it that look again. I wish that I could of taken a picture of it w/ them installed but I didn't have my digital camera at the time. If you guys don't know what those rims look like then here is the link to my website and take a look. http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/86bird/pictures

- Mike Harvey -

 

If you're running the correct backspacing and offsets on your Eagles, there should be no rubbing problem. If you've switched your brakes from stocks, then you should also measure the required backspacing and inside diameter required to clear all objects. Generally, the max you should go with are 4.5'' backspacing in the front and 5'' backspacing in back. I'm getting #203 rims tomorrow and have test fit for proper clearance, there's no rubbing. I'm running the measurements above... looks awesome. Now, what are the steel-plates you're talking about?


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Brian P.
'91 TransAM: 305TPI -=flowed=-

 

All the backspacing on my rims are fine. There were no problems w/ my rims the problems that I was having was with these things called wheel accents or better known as disc simulators. They were too thick to fit between the brakes and the back side of the rims, that is what I was saying. The disc simulators rubbed against the brake caliper causing it to grind and make a horrible noise. Now what I want to know is if there is anything like a stainless steel plate or something that I can put behind my rims to get that same affect. I had no problems w/ my rims rubbing.

- Mike Harvey -

 

Any thoughts guys??? Would I have to weld some stainless plates to the rear of the rims or what?

- Mike Harvey -

 

No shame in drums! Disc simulators really necessary? give it a thought. Got a pics up with the new rims: http://members.nbci.com/PVKnight/



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Brian P.
'91 TransAM: 305TPI -=flowed=-

 

Paint the drums black; that's what I did. Do a rear disc conversion if you really want the look.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards