Anyone know the stock wheel backspacing for the 16x8 wheels, front and back? Thanks.

 

not sure on 16" but i bought 4.5BS on my welds.

 

Okay, backspacing is the distance from the back of the wheel (the side nearest to the brakes) to the flat mounting surface of the wheel (the part where the wheel studs go through), right? I want to order some Vortec Z wheels, which are 17x8.5, with 4.75" backspacing. Can I use this with a set of 245 tires without any fear of rubbing, front or rear? Thanks again.

 

Well put it this way.

The fronts have a 0+ offset, which means on a 16"x8" wheel, the backspacing is 4".

The rear wheels have a 16mm+ offset (which means the mounting hub is 16mm toward the outside of the wheel). That adds just over 5/8" to the backspacing.

The dorks at Sears (where I bought my tires) can't read the words "Front" and "Rear" and put the rear wheels on the front, then lowered the car off the lift. One of them got in, put it in reverse and the car wouldn't move because the tires where pinned against the front struts. The tires were 245/60/16, so it wasn't because the tires where too fat.

I won't say what I did next.

SO...... if 5/8" is too much, i'm sure adding 3/4" would be.

 

The reason I ask about the 4.75" backspacing is because the people at performancewheeloutlet.com say that this is the size to use for our cars. Thanks again.

 

Maybe for the rear.

I'm not sure it this matters a whole lot, but stock tire size on the 16"x8" wheels on my car is 'supposed to be' 235/55/R16.

The tires I bought do bulge out on the sidewall a lot more than the tires I took off. That may be more why mine hit the struts? I dunno.

Another thing to take into consideration is the size of struts. The Heavy Duty ones I have may also be thicker at the base.

I guess if they say they'll work, then they might. Buy them and if they don't work out OK, then you'll know that they're liable. Ask them that before you order them though. Get it in writing somehow.

 

All three sizes mentioned, 235/55r16, 245/50r16, and 245/50r17 are designed for a 7.5 inch rim. The 235/55r16 is approved for 6 thru 8.5 width rims. The 245/50r16 is approved for 7 thru 8.5 width, and the 245/50r17 is also approved for 7 thru 8.5 widths. (Per Tire & Rim Association 2003 yearbook).

In a 50 series, 16 inch tire, only the 255 is designed for a 8 inch rim. But these sizes are approved for use on an 8 inch rim. 225, 235, 245, 265, 275, 295

In a 55 series, 16 inch tire, nothing in the book was designed for an 8 inch rim, but the 225 and 235 are approved for use. (235 is the largest width listed in the 55 series).

 

Well, I just got it in writing:

Ken,
I can guarantee that the 290 Vortec Z wheels will fit a stock
application without rubbing. Running a 245 tire will be ok on this rim
a 255
maybe too big. I hope this helps you out.

Thanks,



Damon O'Neil
Performance Wheel Outlet
Dante Designs
Cragar Performance
195 E Redlands Blvd
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Telephone (909) 825- 5242
Facsimile (909) 825- 5582
www.performancewheeloutlet.com

Do you guys think this is legit, or is it ?

Thanks again.

 

I beleive it is legit. Others are running 5.25 inch backspasing wheels up front, according to their posts.

Want to be sure? Make a template. get a piece of plywood, cut it into a circle in a 17 inch or 18 inch diameter, and drill out holes for the studs to go through. Now, take a piece of wood 4.75 inches long, and screw it to one of the faces of the circle near the outer edge. Put the template on the car (tighten it with a lugnut or hold it tight against the rotor or drum), and spin the wheel. Hitting anything? If not you're good. Also, make sure you turn the steering wheel fully to the left and right and spin the template to make sure it does not hit anything.

Now you're sure.