nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (7)

Ok, so the car is a 91 firebird with a 4th gen rear and 2" spacers up front.

The wheels I am trying to put on are 17x9.5 275/40 (56mm offset) front and 17x11 315/32 rear (50 mm offset) These wheels are off of my 1998 Firebird Formula.

The rears bolted on with no problems, but I am having trouble with the fronts clearing the steering rack. It rubs the inner barrel of the wheel.

I thought with the 2" spacers up front that these wheels will clear. Especially considering I had some 17x9 275/40 Firehawk wheels on the car previously.

So what do you guys think is the problem? The spacers? Wheel offsets?
You're help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

85Z28NOS

iTrader: (2)

According to Skulte performance those rims required a 2.25" spacer in order to clear.My rims have a 50mm offset and run a 2''. I also gained even more room when I converted to C5 front brakes. I would have thought they would clear too till I looked them up.

twigger

Sounds like you need to convert to the C5 brakes and problem is solved! Or I have seen some people drill a hole in their A arm and use a bolt to make an adjustable steering stop to protect your wheels and linkage. Do you have any pictures on how the wheels sit with that offset?

nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (7)

Thanks, I completely forgot to check there. Would 2.25" spacer be safe to run up front?
Sorry, no pictures right now.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

Do you by any chance have the factory rear spacers that came on drum brake cars?

You could throw those factory spacers on your front adapters. I dont think they're 1/4 inch, but they're close. At least 1/8th inch.

ol' paddy

huh, i had to use 5/16 spacers on the back of my 92 rs with a fourth gen rear end and the zr1s with 285s on. and you didn't have any problems fitting them on the back?

nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (7)

I found some laying around from my dad's 82 TA. They are the 1/4 inch slip on spacers. I will try and test fit with them on.

No problems at all. I took one wheel off and bolted the 17x11 wheel right on. No modifications needed for me.

nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (7)

Here are some cell phone pics I took really quick.
The front is only a test fit. It has 2 slip on 1/8" spacers and the 2" bolt on adapter=2.25". Now looking for 2.25" adapters to be safe. Anyone with an extra pair they want to sell?


Front

Rear

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

You need to cut those springs... or get lowering springs. Interesting spoiler.

twigger

Hey those look really good on there, how do they perform? Do you have any pictures from the rear so we can see the stance and how well they tuck under the fenders?

nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (7)

I know. Need to get the y pipe redone before I do that though :/
Thanks, I will try and get some pics from the rear. To be honest I haven't driven the car enough to see how they perform since it is still on non-op lol.

0078red1

just a question my 17x9.5 c6 wheels rub my tie rods. is it safe to shave off a little of the inner rim well??

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

You want to start grinding and modifying the wheel instead of adding a slightly longer adapter? Or a small spacer?

0078red1

I already have 2inch spacers and ls1 brakes and the tie rods rub a little very little. If I add another spacer or adapter the wheels will stick farther out than the back ones

RPOL98

sounds to me like you need just a tiny bit more clearance, maybe 2-1/8" spacers, or 2-1/16", maybe 52mm thickness? i know when i mounted mine, i had to specify the specific thickness i wanted in metric mm, fabricated to spec.

0078red1

So no modifying the wheel just add a custom spacer

RPOL98

i wouldn't modify the wheels, i'd be concerned about the balance, and rim strength. also, if you trim the rounded lip, it might put an edge there that could cut the tire when the tire compresses when hitting a bump or hard cornering.

0078red1

Oh ok then I'll just have to experiment with the tie rods and grinding was only going to be done on the inside like far away from the tire like up in the well

cosmick

Wings West?