Help Me Find Inexpensive 17" or 18" Wheels 69 Camaro
 

In the mean time, I probably have to just buy some new 14" tires to fit the rims I have now; however, I want to start looking for some new (for me...used is fine) wheels for my Camaro. That way, I can be patient and wait for the right deal to pop up, or if something's available now for cheap...:popcorn2:... then I could get some sooner.

My criteria are:

1. 18" on all four (I could possibly be talked into 17" if its the right look and deal)

2. Widest possible width that will fit and correct offset for stock 69 Camaro keeping in mind that it will be lowered 2" in the future. What is the correct width and offset anyway? I keep reading conflicting reports.

3. I ain't paying $3000 for wheels, not even close, no way no how. In fact, I think $1,000 is the absolute TOP of what I'm willing to pay for them and I think that's even expensive. Used is perfectly fine with me as well. I can even handle some rash. I proably don't like whatever color they are anyway. :D

4. The tires available for whatever rims aren't stupid-expensive because they are some oddball size. I'll be driving this car a lot, it's not a trailer queen, so I'll go through tires. I'm willing to pay good money for a quality tire and definitely see the value in that. I paid way more for my tires than my rims on my last car, I think they were $250 a tire. However, pricey just because of a weird size makes no sense to me, I'd rather go to a more available size and spend my money on a better grade of tire.

5. They have to look cool on my car.....TO ME.....I may think stuff looks good when you guys don't 'cause I'm weird. :D

Here are a few examples of stuff I like the looks of:

I'm really likin' on these. I'd be really happy with them:
http://image.superchevy.com/f/312523...owire+.JPG.jpg

This is ok but all black instead of the brushed edges:
http://www.nelsonracingengines.com/a...camaro-blk.jpg

This one is about as open of a pattern as I still like. In fact, it still might be too open. I don't want to be able to see the whole rotor behind the wheel. I'd like to hide it somewhat:
http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/gal...tfighter_1.jpg

So, with all that being said, advice and pictures would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

You want to spend $1000 total for a set of 18's? Did I read that right?

And you just posted pics of 3 sets of wheels that cost in the $3000 to $5000 range.

So basically you want the champagne on the beer budget. Welcome to the club. :lol:

No, I want ones that LOOK like that and I wouldn't mind used ones either. I posted the pictures for examples of wheels I like the looks of.

My biggest concern that I need advice with is probably the sizing more than anything.

The last set of wheels I bought came with great tires, looked like the first picture, and were $650 off of Craigslist. They were 18" Rota's for my Subaru and I loved them.

So, if I know what size and offset I need, I can keep watching the list for good deals.

Your best bet of finding something looking those 3 would be a used set of CCW's. They are traded second hand often but the tough part will be finding the right backspacing.

I would point you here for an option that is new and inexpensive.

http://www.team3wheels.com/lt_iii.html

Thanks Flash, I'll check them out.

So, would I be OK in the area of:

Front 8" wide rim with 4.75" BS
Rear 9.5" wide rim with 5.5" BS

Or would I be safer with a 9" rear rim with ?? backspacing?

I have stock front discs for now and rear drums.
As I said, at some point in the future I'll be lowering aprox 2", probably with the ridetech setup.

I want to get as wide a rear tire as possible while still not getting too close to rub.

I'm also thinking I'll want to go with a 26" or 27" tall rear tire.

That's what my Vintage V45's are spaced at with Nitto NT05's 18 x 245/40 and 275/40.

Rears are tight both inner and outer. I was getting a little contact with hard cornering loads with urethane from spring bushings and new OEM rubber rear bushings. Just installed urethane rears and I'm guessing the contact won't be an issue as they are much more rigid. My wheel opening to ground measurements are 24.25" front 25" rear. The rear inner lips have not been rolled, I had to massage a couple high spots on the inner sheet metal. That said all these car vary to a certain degree.

American Racing TTII's are cheap still @ $199 each. You can paint the centers.
front 18x9 -5" BS 265's
rear 18x10 -5 3/4" BS 285's 295's with a trimmed lip.

Get some sumitomo tires and you'll be close.

Just saw these on fleabay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18X8-5-18x10...b1277a&vxp=mtr

I am not going to argue for or against using BMW bolt patterns on early Camaros, but it has been done by many. Just another option.

Thanks Vince,

9's will fit on the front without increasing my turning radius?

10's won't be too close on the back?

Bigger is better of course but I want to make sure I'm not too close on the sides.

I'm not really feeling the Torque Thrusts though, maybe a bit to vintage looking for me.

Oooh, I'm liking the looks of those.

I think I'd be fine with the BMW bolt pattern. It's only .025 different. Probably barely out of the tolerance stackup of the old hubs and wheels anyway.

I have to figure out the offset to bs translation again though.