70 camaro wheel/tire questions...

[spinedoc]

I have a 1970 camaro which I am modifying using DSE deep tubs and a complete Ridetech Level 2 front and rear suspension. I plan on using 18 inch wheels front and rear.

Can anyone who has used this setup help me with tire and rim sizes? I need advice on backspacing in particular. I would like to use 335 on the back and am not certain how wide I can go on he front. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by spinedoc

I have a 1970 camaro which I am modifying using DSE deep tubs and a complete Ridetech Level 2 front and rear suspension. I plan on using 18 inch wheels front and rear.

Can anyone who has used this setup help me with tire and rim sizes? I need advice on backspacing in particular. I would like to use 335 on the back and am not certain how wide I can go on he front. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

The most common size would be a 275 front and 335 rear. You can fit a larger tire up front but at some point you'll have rubbing at full lock if you don't limit the turning radius.

As far as backspace on the rear, much better to get the wheels/tires you want and measure from there to have the rear end shortened. Since there are infinite rear end widths a person could choose, there is no one correct wheel offset. One guy might have a wider rear end and more backspace on the wheel, while the next might want a deeper looking wheel and needs a narrower rear end to compensate.

[spinedoc]

Jody,

Thanks for the input. This is a bit overwhelming. My goal was to keep my original rear width, saving money, and purchase the wheels with the correct offset so I am good to go. I am hoping to get some concrete numbers from those who have used the factory rear end width. Am I missing something, or should this work? Thanks again.

[glassman]

You can. i only narrowed my rear 1" oa and am planning on running 315's. I'll let you know the b/spacing (and if it works) when my rims get here late next week. Also 18's, DSE, mini tub...

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by spinedoc

Jody,

Thanks for the input. This is a bit overwhelming. My goal was to keep my original rear width, saving money, and purchase the wheels with the correct offset so I am good to go. I am hoping to get some concrete numbers from those who have used the factory rear end width. Am I missing something, or should this work? Thanks again.

What you're trying to do can be done, but pretty much everyone who does a minitub and 335's will opt to narrow the rear end. The offset required will be a lot with a stock width rear end and in my opinion you give up a lot of the looks of a wide wheel because it can't be real deep and still clear the fenders with a stock rear end width.

To answer your question though, it can be done. A normal 9.5" wheel combo out back usually uses a 5.5" b.s. so if you got to a 3" wider wheel (12.5" to fit the 335's) then all the wheel width difference has to go on the back side. So 3" wider would be 5.5" + 3" for a total of 8.5" b.s. on a 12.5" wheel. That should work, but I don't know anyone who's done what you're trying to do to verify.