Need wheel suggestions... 71 Firebird

[OLDFLM]

Our 'birds can fit a 295/35/18 on a 18x10 out back with 5.5" backspacing without any mods. Given that, I'm not sure there's a "need" to minitub our cars. But I sure like the steamroller look of a 335/345 out back!!

Falken just came out with a 295/40/18 in their 615 series that I may run... we'll see. Still trying to pick a wheel for the car and toying with the idea of changing the color to give the entire car a makeover/facelift.

[JohnC]

Hands down I would go with these in 18's if I had your car!

http://www.newstalgiawheel.com/wheel...ubcat3=1031102

John

[OLDFLM]

Those are nice and one of my first thoughts but for the cost of those rims I can have something MUCH nicer... there are some SWEET wheels in the works...

[72blackbird]

OLDFLM,
You make a good point- 295/35R18 on a 18 x10 is alot of rubber. I just wish someone made a more affordable rim to go on these gen-2 Firebirds- $600-700/wheel is alot of money, and you stilll need to put rubber on it.

Brett Evans put a 275/35R18/ 18 x 9.5 CCW (5.25" bksp.) on the front of his Splitter project, but that car has GW control arms and a 13" Baer brake kit on it- plenty of rubber for the front IMO. What are you planning to run up front?

Geno

[OLDFLM]

I'll probably run the Falken 615 series as they are the only ones with a 295/40/18 for the rear. For my driver I'll run a 255/45/18 up front with the 40-series rubber out back just b/c I want a little more sidewall on the street.

You could run a 275 up front and a 295 out back...

[72blackbird]

I was thinking just that -275/295s on 18 x 9/ 18 x 10 would look sweet. I was looking at the Coddington Osiris:

https://www.newstalgiawheel.com/imag...W_1244_500.gif

I like the idea of more sidewall, especially on these utlra-low profile tires, but I drive aggressively and think the 27" tires might rub the fender lips- with 26" tires I get no rubbing. The 27" tires would definitely fill the wheelwell better- any thoughts on this?

Geno

[OLDFLM]

I tend to prefer taller sidewalls for looks and the 45/40's seem to recover faster if you lose tracton in a corner. This may not happen with every brand of tire however or maybe I'm a much worse driver than I remember...

SWs red 73 TA had 255/40/18s (4.5bs) and 295/35/18s (5.5bs) on 18x8f & 18x10r without any mods to the car and they didn’t rub. But again I like to run a taller tire with more sidewall to visually fill up our huge 2nd Gen wheel wells…

You could run a 295/35/19 out back and have the same sidewall as the 255/40/18 up front… that would net 26”front & 27” rear diameters. The 45-series on the 18s all around would net 27” front and 28.5” rear. But that's a really tall tire out back and a lot of rotating mass.

I looked for a happy medium and found the 295/40/18 that Falken is now making in their 615 series. Sticky street tire that'll work better at the track and will probably work better when street driven too. JMHO

[OLDFLM]

Originally Posted by 72blackbird

OLDFLM,
You make a good point- 295/35R18 on a 18 x10 is alot of rubber. I just wish someone made a more affordable rim to go on these gen-2 Firebirds- $600-700/wheel is alot of money, and you stilll need to put rubber on it.

Brett Evans put a 275/35R18/ 18 x 9.5 CCW (5.25" bksp.) on the front of his Splitter project, but that car has GW control arms and a 13" Baer brake kit on it- plenty of rubber for the front IMO. What are you planning to run up front?

Geno

When it comes to wheels you definately get what you pay for but if you're looking for budget minded 18s the CL205s or the Coys wheels fit the bill nicely and offer some choices... CL205s, Coys C5, C67s etc. And I've heard they clean up nicely/easily with soy sauce!

[72blackbird]

What about running a 18 x 9.5 (5 x 120mm bolt pattern) with a 285/40R18 F/R? I was looking at these TSW Snettertons:

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=9.5&bp=5-120

Nice design and price. I know the concept of running this bolt pattern on a GM car isn't new, but will the lug nut seats have to be cut to run conical lug nuts?

Geno

[OLDFLM]

You can run those wheels but would have to run spacers/adapters... your call there... I don't personally care for spacers/adapters.