I was browsing Steve Spohn's website and while checking out the 13" brake kit I noticed that they won't clear Firebird wheels. Is this for ALL Firebird wheels (Formula and GTA 16")? Could you explain why the IROC clears but the High Tech Turbo (Formula) wheels won't? Will the American Racing Torque Thrust 2 wheels clear them in 16"?

 

Why do the IROC wheel clear and the crosslace and formula wheels don't? Good question. The only idea I have is the difference in who the manufacture of the wheels was. There is a lip inside the cross lace and formula wheels that hits the caliper. The IROC wheels don't have the lip.


If I had a a torque thrust two 16" wheel here, I'd be happy to check wheel clearence for you.

Thanks
Dan

 

The IROC rim is cast as one complete piece. The GTA rims are cast as 2 pieces and welded together as once piece, hence the raised lip.

 

If I'm not mistaken the Formula wheels were cast as a 1 piece wheel also. Anyone have a pic of where this lip is?

 

IIRC Alloy tried them on a set of 87 16" formy wheels, and a set of 89 GTA Crosslaced wheels.

 

Alloy, Have you tested the 91/92 Z-28 wheel?

 

Yes fits perfectly. Go here for a pic. Bottom of page, click to enlarge.

http://www.spohn.net/product.cfm?productid=1453

 

Don't fit GTAs. No!! More bad news.

 

C4, LS1?? Lotsa options out there if you're having fitment issues.

Ed

 

Neither one is a 13" tho.

 

Thanks, I didn't notice that wheel the last time that check Spohn's site. One more wheel question. I'm sure the stock temp-spare wont work, but do you know if the 1LE or 4th gen spare work? Thanks,

 

My stock spare won't fit, but I've not gotten ahold of a 1LE or 4th gen to check yet. The 1LE spare is a 14" wheel size, so I'd try a 4th gen wheel. Or if you have a flat on the front, move the rear up and put the spare on the back.

 

The 14" 4th gen spare will not work on the rears with the '89 and up bigger 11" brakes. I tried and it grinds on the caliper badly. Unless you want to swap fronts to back if you get a flat, I don't recommend carrying around this spare.

Maybe the 16" spare from the 17" wheel'd SS/WS6 will work?

 

Well,I was just trying to find out about the fitment of the brakes with the Formula wheel. I would like to stick with a 16" wheel due to the already stiff ride from my altered suspension. 17" wheels with the lower profile tires would just make it too stiff. I may wind up going with one of Ed Miller's C4 or LS1 brake conversions.

 

The 1Le aluminium spare(14in wheel) WILL clear the front 1le brake,but NOT the Rear 1le caliper.Have one on my 84 & ive tried it.You would have to put a front wheel in back & use the spare in front( for a rear flat only).My original steel 14in spare wouldnt even clear either fr or Rr brakes.

 

Tell me about it... it was my wheel that we tried it on. Kinda dissapointing but I'm sure that we will figure something out

-Schultzy

 

You don't want to stick the donut on the back of a 1LE anyway, or any car with posi for that matter. Having different size wheels on the rear will cause a difference in axle rpm that will eat your posi alive. So unless you have an open diff rear (or want your posi to act like one,) ALWAYS put the donut on the front and move a front wheel back.

 

This wheel inflates to about 26.5in.Which is about the size of a regular tire.It will not harm your posi.Its not the non posi donut type,which is stores inflated.All posi spares store deflated & are inflated to full size when used....