I went to order a set of 16x8 Centerline Telstars the other day thinking I needed them w/ 5-1/2" backspacing but the guy said I only needed 4-1/2". I tried fitting a stock Buick GS wheel (15x7, 4-1/2" bs off my 72 GS) and it didn't clear the rear caliper? Is the guy wrong?

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'91 Z28 1LE; 355, Sportsman II heads, Edelbrock TPI w/ 58mm TB, Tremec TKO 5-speed, 3.73's & much, much more

 

Seems to me the 4.5 is the correct backspacing. The specific design of the wheel may come into play. I have run a set of 15 X 8 stock car type wheels on a 1LE front but old iron style rear caliper setup with no problems on a 4.5 backspace. They were not sticking out at all, and the rim ran just as close if not closer to the tie rods as the factory 16s. Of course the factory 16s work with either the front or rear offset on a 1LE car. I'd say it's very likely you'd be ok with a 16 with 4.5 bs. Hope this helps you.