I bought a 1990 Pontiac Firebird. I would really like to put some aftermarket rims on it to make it look better. I have found a couple of sets that I like used, but I am unsure if they will fit correctly. I know the bolt patterns are right (assuming 5x115mm or 5x114.3mm are right), its more about the offset vs the size of rim. The two I am looking at are as follows:
19x8 - 5x114.3 bolt patterns +45 offset
18" 5x115mm Bolt pattern with ET45 Offset

Any and all help is greatly appreciated, I am looking forward to getting to know you all. This is my first Firebird. It needs some work so I am sure I will be on here a lot!

 

1st bolt pattern is way off
2nd offset you going to need a spacer depending on backspacing around 2-1.5inch
3rd why would you run a 19x8 wheel they upcharge the tire like crazy and its only 8inchs wide ????? doesnt sound right
4th what wheels are those brand ? specs seem to be sketchy IMO

stock bolt pattern is (120.65mm-5x4.75).this bolt pattern can bolt on also (5x120mm-5x4.72)

stock width of wheels are 8in wide with 16in dia depending on what stock wheel you have there is a 15in wheel also

16x8 Iroc wheels front offset 0mm rear -16mm

you can fit up to 10.5 up front and 11 in the rear
you can go up to 22in down to 16in in dia.
what ever floats your boat lol i wouldnt go 19in wheel as the tires are upcharge and run very expensive but if you have the cash flow go ahead but thats the biggest that wheel size that looks good any bigger you can make it work and look good depending on stance wheel choice and tire choice
i recommend starting here and reading this sticky also try to search also its helpful at times any questions let me know
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/whee...er-wanted.html

you should search read search read read some more then check double check then buy what you want lol

 

Wow great info! These rims were on Ebay. Can provide links if you wish. Sounds like I was wrong on bolt pattern anyway. At least now I can look for right fit. Thanks!

 

no worry 18 is the largest you should go IMO are you going to lower it ? yea send a link

 

Here are the links. I think you made it pretty clear. So I have refined my searches to your recomendations. The car has not been lowed,it is in pretty much stock shape. Body is good. Its a Formula, or so I'm told. It has the 305 with auto trans, Just over 100k miles. I bought it with restoring it in mind. I like having a toy to tinker with. The kid wanted 2500.00 for it, but I got him down to 900.00. Felt it was a safe investment at that amount of cash. Feel free to link me recommended rims you may find on Ebay or elsewhere. Thanks again for some solid info!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110891771691...84.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120969797690...84.m1438.l2649

 

depends on what type of look your going for with the wheels look in the wheel tire section and search best wheels it took me a couple of months to decide what i wanted so take your time lol

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/whee...g-3rd-gen.html

 

After looking around I like the cragar/bullit style rims. I have always liked them considering I am 40 yo and they were the rim back in the day.

 

Correct bolt pattern is 5 x 120.65 (or 4.75").

9.5" wheel needs a 5" backspacing in 17" to clear the tie rods. 18" can be a bit more as it fits around the tie rods in the front...

 

Those would look sweet!!!! so you want to stick with 16 or 17in wheel
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...s-3rd-gen.html

A member on here is selling These wheels on parts for sale section


Sorry if posting other member pics I just went to google images

 

Yes really like the first image. Very nice looking imo.

 

idea if teh Z06 rims fit this car? Found a great deal on local CL ad. Check it out.

http://maine.craigslist.org/pts/3189496420.html

 

I would get them i have 18x10 all around it handles like on rails and that's a good deal all you need is 2in wheel adapter with 120.65 bolt pattern you can get on eBay for lil over 100 and they will fit and you improve handling light night and day lol And you won't have clerance issues

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...06-wheels.html

 

So will any z06 rims fit? just beed 2" spacers all around? Also what If I want Cragar style but the handling the size of the Z06's give? Simply get Cragar style with the Z06 specs, and spacers?

 

http://www.skulte.com/adapterfaq.html

 

Z06 will fit you have to use spacer all around 2" i believe
you can get crager stlye wheels in same specs as z06 then you need 2" spacer all around also

unless you can find them in thirdgen specs "offset"

also you dont need to have exact zo6 specs different offset wheels and there backspacing on aftermarket can require no spacer or 1in spacer or 2 etc just depends on wheel specs if you are running corvette/4th gen camaro specs usally 2" spacer will do dont set your eyes on wheel specs of zo6 find a wheel you like then go from ther on making calculations if you need or dont need a spacer

the website posted above is very helpful and accurate

you can use the equation to fiqure out what spacer you need

 

AR605 M TORQ THRUST M
http://www.americanracing.com/wheels...d=1&groupid=29
they come in +24 or +35

you can go to tirerack.com also you can actually see the wheels on the car and pic the color of the car
you wont need spacers you pay alot more but its directfit and you can see how they look which is always a plus but helps you find what crager style wheel you want

 

You guys are awesome! I'm zeroing in on what I want! lol

 

tirerack has couple different crager style wheels

 

I never liked cragars on the third gens, nor any of the similar looking wheels either; they belong on older cars with chrome bumpers. I'm a guy who is old enough to remember the early 80's when the cars were first new...

I do like the Firehawk wheels, but they are heavy and don't clear big brakes that well. Love the ZR1 look, but dislike spacers, some versions are heavy too...

 

i agree... but some people can pull of the look and have seen some good examples on this forum

the zr1 look amazing
slp made zl1 wheels thirdgen specific there hard to find i think hawks still sell them im not sure tho

 

They are back in production, available in black, red, white & bare.
http://www.jegs.com/i/OER/691/K151795BK/10002/-1

 

lol i think they look so sweet on firebird

 

Those are reproductions, not made by Ronal...

I'm sure quality is good.

 

Just a technicality on the wording. Point being? They are being made, but hopefully lighter. I'm waiting on word back about their weight.

 

Jegs says they weigh 25lbs but are not in stock at Jegs on Aug. 22, 2012. Approx 2 weeks to order from Jegs but shipped from the OER warehouse.

 

thats not bad they look heavier thats about right on the weight alot of aftermarket wheels weigh about that untill you go forged my wheels weigh about 24lbs some reproductions mainly chrome weighs alot

 

Point being that a lot of reproductions (like cheap ZR1s) are not even DOT tested after being reverse engineered and make in some Chinese 4th rate sweatshop. This company does quality work from what I understand.

 

I wasn't going to mention this until weight came up: CTW Motorsports wheels only weigh 20lbs and offer much better brake clearance than the Firehawk wheels. Looks aside, 5lbs is a significant reduction in rotating mass...

 

kinda looks like bmw wheels for thirdgen they look allright maybe its the color i would prob use those as only track wheels not everday not digging the 5lbs is like taking 50lbs off each corner or you can just get forgestar for couple hundred $$$$ more 18x8.5 18.5 Lbs. 18x9.5 20.1 Lbs.18x10 19.4 Lbs. 18x12 - 21.5 Lbs.
and look 10 times better one member on here has Forgestar F15..
everybody has different taste in wheels some perfer looks... other perfer performance advantage like mention here even if its a Slight Advantage http://www.carcraft.com/projectbuild...ls_comparison/
is it worth it i think so if i had cash flowing like water i would get something like forgelines etc options are endless..but for a hotrod cruiser daily driver i dont think it matters and i would go for looks anyday
but thats another topic that can go all day

Rodzilla67- did you find the wheels that you wanted yet or you settled for z06 ?

 

So I have found a set I really like, and it seems like a really good deal (see link below). His listing says it fits 93-2002. I did contact the seller and asked if they would fit my 1990 with maybe spacers. Here is his reply:

"Rod we have heard that they can be made to work but what people have done for them to fit I don?t know. We would not be able to guarantee the fitment on them."

So I ask you folks on this board, can I make these work? I really love the style, and the price is pretty good as well. I had these on my 87 Vette that I sold a few years back and they were head turners! Any and all help is greatly appeciatted!



http://www.ebay.com/itm/280793026967...S:1123&vxp=mtr

 

they will fit with spacer 2"

look at this thread for pics
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/whee...eels-post.html

 

I gave you the link above in Post #14 that has the info you'll need to know what thickness adapters you'll need.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...36-post14.html

 

Thats great news!!!! I love these and how they look. Again great board and great people! THANKS!