I'm getting pretty deep into this never ending money pit. And I want to get a serious set of wheels. So it's time to replace the chrome 20's.


I want to go with the XXR 526 wheels. I dont mind hammering in my fender wells. And will roll the fenders if necessary. I would like a pretty deep dish in the rear. I either want a 18/20 setup, or a 20/20 setup. I really want a 19/20, but it looks like they arent made in a 19". What's the absolute widest I can go on all four corners? I'm thinking atleast 305 in the rear, if possible. What offset?

Only requirement is that it MUST tuck in the fender wells. The car will be lowered, and I don't want to have to worry about hitting the fender. I don't know much about wheel sizing, but am searching/learning as I go. Just wanted to get some answers.



The wheels

The car you posted has the 10.5" wheels but they stick past the fender wells in the front. I am running the 9" in the front with a 1.25" spacer and 10.5" in the rear no spacer needed. For this wheel to keep within the fender wells, really the 9" is the widest you can go for this wheel.

Ok. So I'll go with 9" wide in the front. Do you think a 275/35/20 will fit in the front? I think that would be too big. I'm sure an 18" 275 will fit.

So your runing 10.5" in the rear, what size tires are you running? Do your wheels stick out past the fender in the rear?

Do you have any pictures?

With the right BS, you can fit a 10.5" wheel on all 4 corners - several TGO members have done this.

I would suggest sticking with 18" all around for a few reasons:

1) Weight of 20" wheels and tires is very high, 18" can be several lbs less each - car will handle better, be more responsive, and will accelerate faster with the 18s

2) 20" tires are going to be either too small a sidewall or too tall a tire to work well

3) You can fit a tucked 9.5" in front in 18" or larger - not sure if the wheels you want come in that size though

I am running 275/35/18 up front and 295/35/18 out back.

You will run into problems trying to fit the 20".

You can fit 10.5 all around like paul stated above as long you get the BS right ill say go for it you wont look back lol

I had xxr 521 18x10 all around and tucked nicely with 285s with room to spare check my sig have a thread on it also

I personally like the squared look its just plain mean looking

20 and 19s not a fan of thin tire 18 and 17s are perfect and wide range of tires I think 19 and the up charge on tires are sill lol but thats me

im looking to get another set of wheels as I got bored and sold my wheels im looking at the xxr 531 or going back to the 521s which my wife wants me to do lol I love the 526s but they look more at home on the firebird

was up charcoal long time since seeing pics of your car





These are old pics before I started the other projects

I think maybe the car falls in the category of the owner thinking it looks better than it actually does...some cars get a lot of praise...hmm...time for some changes???

Also, I haven't been frequenting the board as much the past few months. New born babies will do that as I have found out.

I did like the wheels you have pictured on your car.

Lol I feel you my car in same category lol

I havent been on much till recently been on here and there

but yes newborns will do that but its all good you still got one bad firebird I love it

CharcoalBird is right they do stick out past the fenders in the front. I've had my wheels tucked for so many years, I just wanted a wider stance. Firebirds are shaped kinda like a boat. The camaro has a better look because of the ground effects. I felt when I tucked my wheels, the car looked terrible from the front, and corner shots. But it looked good from the side. Most people want them tucked....and I understand that.

I actually could bring the front wheels in about 1/2", before they'll hit the struts. But I'd need to bore out the center of the wheels, and find an alternate way to get the front wheel caps on.

A 335 is not the ideal tire in the front for daily cruising or heavy cornering, you won't gain anything. I would go with a 305 in the front and 335 in the rear. I've even considered doing it on my current setup.

The cars in this thread look good with those wheels....nice job fellas!

I think 295s all around will be the perfect for daily driver wider if its more a weekend car or track car

but I understand the boat look and wider stance it looks good on non gfx cars and not lowered wheel setup and stance makes or break non gfx cars , they look better when there not lowered also, can lower non gfx cars but the wheels and stance need to be on point






my next thirdgen will be a non gfx I been planning lol

but thats getting of topic I love the the 526 on your bird

I know this is old. I love your car. What spacers do you use to switch the bolt pattern?