Need advice... what is my next step??
 

Hey guys, thanks for being patient with me. I am in a bit of a dilemma right now.

My dad and I are about to start building our 1969 Camaro. Right now i am in the parts collecting phase. I would like to get started on the body and chassis work soon.

So far i have:

DSE Mini Tubs - Not installed
DSE SFC's - Not installed
DSE Quadra Link - Not installed

My seeking advice pertains to the purchase of the rear end, rear brakes, front clip and wheels.

I am planning on running a Currie 9" Rear end, Baer brakes.

What size wheel/tire combination am i best off running? I originally was thinking 18x12 w/ 6" backspacing & 335/35/18 for the rear and 18x9 with ?? backspacing & 275/35/18 for the front, however, after SEMA i have quickly realized that not many manufacturers are into custom making reversed lip 18" rims in those widths & backspacing. There are a ton of choices available in 19" or higher. Is there any pro's or cons to running 19" wheels in my application? Will they fit properly?

Another part to my wheel dilemma is, how do i know what hub length to make the wheel if i do not have my brakes and rear end? I want to make sure the wheels will clear the brake caliper.

The second part to my dilemma is, what dimensions should the rear end be made to? I have been told to buy the wheels, mock them up in the wheel wells, and measure the hub to hub distance. That part sound good to me, however, i need to solve the wheel dilemma first so this is kind of a viscous circle.

Basically i need to know what my next step should be and how to go about making the right choice in that step weather it is to buy the wheels first, or to buy the rear end & brakes first.

Trev

i would say order brakes, then order the wheels to make sure they clear the brakes, mock it all up and order the housing/axles

i really like the idea of a "standard" wheel offset, then get the rear the width needed to "fit".. this would make future wheel options easier... instead of ordering a custom offset everytime you wanna run a different wheel.

Given that you can order any length rear you want, I say order the wheels and tires first. Many high end rod builders build the car around the wheels ad tires so that it sits and looks just right. You can make a mock axle out of some 3" exhaust tubing with steel plate welded on each end. The steel plate will have two wheel studs 4-3/4" apart to mount wheels. Then just do the math backwards: Subtract brake thickness, check clearances, etc. I credit Mark Stielow with showing me that idea.

Or you can just call DSE since they have done this a million times since the Mule was built.

very good point steve we always buy the wheels first...and build around that! No point in getting the rear diff first then being limited to what you can run for wheels???

If i order wheels first, how do i know that the wheels will clear the brakes that i want to run?

what brakes are you going to run and what are you thinking on wheels(ie what company are you going to get wheels from) most rear brake kits from both wilwood and bear have several options for brake offset and it should not be a problem....

I assume you are going to with at least an 18 correct??? If so it will be no problem to clear any brake set up you want on the car!

Wheels and Tires
 

I must agree, order wheels and tires first, build around that.

Darren

Trevor, if you don't go thru Detroit speed or a similar one-stop shop, you'll have to talk with the brake manufacturer and find out what thickness mounting pad is required for clearance.

When I ordered my wheels thru DSE, I spoke with Kyle, answered a few questions, and boom, it was a done deal. He knows all of this stuff like the back of his hand. Give them a call, they're a dealer for Budnik and I believe Bonspeed as well.

Car
 

I agree, make the call. You have alot invested, do it right the first time.

Agreed. I will make the call... i spoke to him at the PT.com dinner. I was impressed with how easy he was to talk too... i guess i should have called before i posted, but i didn't realize how complicated this was until i actually wrote my initial posting.

Thanks guys, i will keep you posted on my findings.

Trev