295/35/18 for 1969 Camaro without minitubs?
 

I have a 69 camaro with a '95 LT1 and 700r4. Next up on the project list is to replace the mullet-mags (15 inch Centerlines) with some 17 or 18 inch wheels and tires to make room for big brakes. Here is my question:

Can you fit 295s on the rear of a 69 without a minitub? Mark Stielow's "Thrasher Camaro" had this size, and the new Unique Performance/Foose '69 has them as well. Most threads on this site say 275 is the biggest, but I thought the 69 had a little more room in the back and with a little fender lip trimming the 295s should fit?

Anyone have this setup? What rim size and backspacing did you go with?

Thanks from a newbie to the site. -eric in boulder

Pretty sure the Thrasher had 275's. I'll get Charley in here to confirm. I'd think a 295 will rub some without a mini-tub UNLESS you keep the rear of the car high enough it can't come down on the tire. But for the ride height most people want without a gap between the tire and fender lip it won't fit in my opinion without a bit or rubbing. It does fit in there on the Foose car though, but they likely rolled the fenders as much as possible, and it probably rubs on the inside sometimes. The 275 was close enough to do that also.


Jody

Stielow says the rears on the Thrasher are 285-35-18's on a 10" rim.

Yep, that's what my new car has. Purchased Tom Izzo's car a couple of weeks ago and it has 295/35/18's. There is no rubbing whatsover and the lowered stance looks great to me. Of course, it has nice pricey wheels with custom backspacing that nailed the positioning...that's one of the keys, IMO.

Here are a couple of pics so you can see the way the tire/wheel size would look.

4MMM - Nice looking car. Any chance you know the backspacing and width of your rear wheels? Thanks. -eric

I'm running 285 40 17 with 5.5 bs on my 69 and it is a tight fit. Once I lowered it the lips did have to be rolled a bit, no biggie. :thumbsup:

I bought my 4" hood off of that car. Tom Izzos car is absolutely awesome. Congrats on the purchase. I didnt realize it had 285/35-18. My car is a little lower than his and if I tried to put 285 on there I think I would have some minor rubbing. Especially pulliing into angled driveways.

No problem Eric, I just won't get to the car until the weekend after this one since my job has me tied down for a while. I will definitely keep you posted.

Frank

The 275 formula is based on two things:
1) Off the rack wheels where width and backspacing availability is limited.
2) 100% stock: No modifications to wheelwell lips or any other massaging. Given those two guidelines, a 275 tire on a 9.5" wheel is the maximum "no brainer" package.

If, on the other hand, you want to get creative--and have money for custom size/backspace wheels the 285 tire will fit, and maybe you can even jam a 295 on a 69 if the car is not too low (but I don't recommend it). Custom wheel manufacturers will sell wheels in .5" width increments and .5" backspace or even .25" backspacing increments.

285mm converts to 11.22" You have a little more than that minimum clearance in stock form. The minimum clearance is right around the 10 o' clock position in the wheelwell. The project becomes way easier if you roll the wheelwell lips (Actually, it's almost mandatory). A 10"/285 combo with 5.5" to 5.75" back is fairly easy. When you're running such tight clearances, be prepared for a lot of measuring and potential do-overs. Don't rely full on others backspacing measurements as your car may vary (even from side to side). So you still have to measure.

So if you are creative and ambitious, you can stuff that extra .5" or more of rubber without minitubs. It's just way easier to either run that off-the-shelf 275 combo or get in there and hog out the area with DSE minitubs. The minitub kit takes quite a bit of of work, but obviously a whole world of options opens up.

In the case of my own 68 Camaro 285/10" with DSE 3" springs combo, I will be milling .200" off the mounting pads (offset) of my rear wheels to tweak my clearances. 'Cause I just ruined a tire on a road trip. You know: measure once, cut twice.

4MM, I am also interested in the bs on the wheels. Are they 9.5's or 10's??
I would think its safer to go with 5.75bs than the 5.5's so you can use a small spacer if needed?? Or maybe 5.625 bs??

I made a mistake on my post. The rear tire size is 295/35/18 BFG drag radials not 285. I guess that's even better?

I can measure the backspacing but like Steve said, it's custom and you have to nail it. The fender lips have been substantially rolled and the bright trim has been cut under the upper lip of the wheel well. I believe the disc brake kit changes it from stock. Let me know. BTW, the wheel size is 18x10.

Frank

Thanks for the reply...any info on the bs would be great!