1969 442 Widest Tire - few questions - Driver's Inc opinions please

[The WidowMaker]

19x9.5/20x11 275/35/19 315/35/20 NT05's

the rear is a narrowed custom deal and the fronts havent been test fit yet so i dont have any accurate backspacing numbers for you. either way the 18/19s or 19/20s are nice, i just think the rears need a little more than 26.5 if the stance is right. i had to build new tubs to make it all work though.

Tim

[BanditDave]

Originally Posted by The WidowMaker

19x9.5/20x11 275/35/19 315/35/20 NT05's

the rear is a narrowed custom deal and the fronts havent been test fit yet so i dont have any accurate backspacing numbers for you. either way the 18/19s or 19/20s are nice, i just think the rears need a little more than 26.5 if the stance is right. i had to build new tubs to make it all work though.

Tim

OK, I figured as much on the tubs...I am still open to a different rim size/tire combo. I haven't ordered them just yet but your set-up has really got me thinking now! I will be looking your build up shortly...thanks!

[214Chevy]

Bandit Dave, I have 20x11's on my rear with a 305 and I love the way it sits and drives. I have coilovers on the rear and my shop guy nailed the ride height and dialed in the perfect compression on the coilovers. So, I have no complaints about my ride quality. All I did was roll my fenders and they tuck up under pretty nice. I think the 20's on the rear will be perfect. Especially on an A-body. I like the 20's on the A-body rears since the are larger cars. I run a 305/30/20 on my Chevelle. Take a look and tell me what you think. I cannot comment on the front, as far as 19's go, because I have 20 on the front too.

[BanditDave]

That car is pretty sharp looking man, but my biggest beef is with the sidewall. Here in NJ it would be considered rape to drive around with that little sidewall under it...I would be waffling rims like it was my job!

I like the ride height on the car, but I really like the wheel "tuck" of Widowmaker's...but that would necessitate new tubs, etc...

Considering I am going to go with something a little different on the interior, I may just go the route of the 20's with more tuck. I gotta get the damn rear under it tonight and see where I am at on ride height...then I can figure out if I am even in the ballpark.

Thanks for the pics guys, please keep'em coming...I really appreciate it!

Dave

[Roadbuster]

I run an 18x11 wheel with 305/35R18 R888s in the rear of my 68 GTO.


I needed a little massaging on the inner tubs but did not need to roll the lip and I still have my wheel trim.

[JayR]

Hey Dave, Glad to see you're almost ready for wheels.

I would do a combination of Tim's and Justin's advice if it were my Olds and do a 28" tall 295/35/20 on the back with a 19x8 up front.

[wmhjr]

Personally i think roadbuster got it right. It looks (and probably is) more true performance oriented. There is a similar thread over on pt. It's amazing how different peoples tastes are. If somebody gave me a set of 20s I'd sell them and buy smaller rims. I'd save 22s for my massy ferguson. It won't notice the extra rotating mass.

[BanditDave]

Originally Posted by Roadbuster

I run an 18x11 wheel with 305/35R18 R888s in the rear of my 68 GTO.


I needed a little massaging on the inner tubs but did not need to roll the lip and I still have my wheel trim.

Man that looks perfect! You mind giving me the back spacing on those - front and rear? I am actually pretty set of 18s all the way around - figured on 245/45-18 up front and 285/40-18 in rear because of NJ's **** roads, but Roadbuster, yours is DEAD ON!

[The WidowMaker]

Personally i think roadbuster got it right. It looks (and probably is) more true performance oriented. There is a similar thread over on pt. It's amazing how different peoples tastes are. If somebody gave me a set of 20s I'd sell them and buy smaller rims. I'd save 22s for my massy ferguson. It won't notice the extra rotating mass.

i would agree with you if we were talking first gen camaros, but we're not. the wheel wells on these cars are huge and need a larger wheel/tire combo to look balanced. until somebody does a back to back test and shows me some significant number differences, i'll keep the 19/20s. i was going to go with an 18/19 combo, but most 18s wont fit my brakes and 19 rears suck for tire sizes.

red devil just tore up OUSCI with the following......

18X10 Forgeline wheels with Goodyear 275/30R18 tires
19X12 Forgeline wheels with Goodyear 325/35R19 tires

Early Performance Numbers

0-60 mph 3.29 seconds
0-100 mph 7.26 seconds
1/4 mile 10.91 sec. @ 130 mph

Braking
best 60-0 107.4' & 2.5 sec
0-60-0 with 1 ft rollout best 6.84 with overshoot to 61mph
0-87-0 in 8.0 seconds

40 foot slalom
Slalom best 48.34 mph

Skid pad 1.03 G

[wmhjr]

Is your car red devil? Are you running that large a diameter brake rotor? If you have really large rotors and require more clearance, thats a different issue. However, Physics are a bitch. You don't need a back to back test. Math is easy.

Like i said, it comes down to opinion. I have an a body. The wheel wells are not huge. There is actually less room than in an f body. But here's a question. Why do NO high end race cars run large diameter wheels? And I do mean NO cars running anything larger than what their brakes require. If you like the look more power to you. No problem. But for performance, I'd run 17s on a car if there was good rubber to support it and the brakes would fit. I know there are things about my car that some may not like. That's what makes them different.