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i'm going to purchase a set of Classic V's from Team 3/ET. I just wanted to run a backspace question past you good people incase anyone else has the same/similar setup
I'm going with -
Front - 18 x 9.5 275/40/18
Rear - 18 x 10 285/40/18
The current wheels are 17" Vintage Wheel Works V40's, i'd love a set in 18's but they don't seem to make them.
I've put the rear wheels from my Dad's 69 Camaro on the front of the Vette (17 x 9.5, 5" front space), I've then tried with a 1/4" spacer and a 1/2" spacer and they both work (albeit with rubbing at full lock from stationary, it's rubbing on the inner well and brake line, I can move those). No rubbing in general or hard driving. It's a pro touring Vette.
So i'm torn between -
18 x 10 either 5.5 or 5.75 BS (with corresponding equal front space on the front wheel to keep the same dish).
My car is quite low and I don't want any tire coming past the arch, 5.5BS seems to be popular but they always seem to be on cars with higher ride height, anyone got that combo?
I can't mock up a 5.5" BS rear Camaro wheel on the rear of the Vette because the wheel studs are too short (will be replacing with 3" ARP studs. I could mock up a 5.75 BS though.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Pic is with 9.5" front wheel.
Cheers!
Oh also anyone out there with tri-bars (spinners, knock offs) on an 18" wheel? Not sure whether its going to look tacky or awesome!
Last edited by aaroncorvette; 07-03-2023 at 03:49 PM.
i'm going to purchase a set of Classic V's from Team 3/ET. I just wanted to run a backspace question past you good people incase anyone else has the same/similar setup
I'm going with -
Front - 18 x 9.5 275/40/18
Rear - 18 x 10 285/40/18
The current wheels are 17" Vintage Wheel Works V40's, i'd love a set in 18's but they don't seem to make them.
I've put the rear wheels from my Dad's 69 Camaro on the front of the Vette (17 x 9.5, 5" front space), I've then tried with a 1/4" spacer and a 1/2" spacer and they both work (albeit with rubbing at full lock from stationary, it's rubbing on the inner well and brake line, I can move those). No rubbing in general or hard driving. It's a pro touring Vette.
So i'm torn between -
18 x 10 either 5.5 or 5.75 BS (with corresponding equal front space on the front wheel to keep the same dish).
My car is quite low and I don't want any tire coming past the arch, 5.5BS seems to be popular but they always seem to be on cars with higher ride height, anyone got that combo?
I can't mock up a 5.5" BS rear Camaro wheel on the rear of the Vette because the wheel studs are too short (will be replacing with 3" ARP studs. I could mock up a 5.75 BS though.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Pic is with 9.5" front wheel.
Cheers!
Oh also anyone out there with tri-bars (spinners, knock offs) on an 18" wheel? Not sure whether its going to look tacky or awesome!
My 78 with E-T Wheels LT-III
Wheel size 18x9.5 with 4.75" BS no mods anywhere. With factory sheering did lock @ front due to from spoiler not perfectly setup. When changed to Flaming river R&P less turning radius, didn't matter.
the difference with 275 vs 285 rear you will not notice , square all around lets me rotate tires front & rear for best tire life ( trackdays )
Hi Aaron - long time no speak. Do you really need to use spacers.......always a potential weak point........On the rear end of my '68 I'm using 285/40/18 on a 18 x 9" rim with a 5" backspace......no wheel spacers - and stock trailing arms........OK, so its really needs the trailing arm bushes replaced very soon and with the wheels being on a few years now the trailing arms appear to be deflecting during heavy cornering with the inside of the rear tyres lightly 'polishing' the frame......
Hi Aaron - long time no speak. Do you really need to use spacers.......always a potential weak point........On the rear end of my '68 I'm using 285/40/18 on a 18 x 9" rim with a 5" backspace......no wheel spacers - and stock trailing arms........OK, so its really needs the trailing arm bushes replaced very soon and with the wheels being on a few years now the trailing arms appear to be deflecting during heavy cornering with the inside of the rear tyres lightly 'polishing' the frame......
Hi Ross, how are you doing? Funny I was going to text you earlier as I remember you had 18" wheels, I was hoping they'd be 10" wide. The spacers are only for mocking up and to simulate different front and backspacing, although I do have a run a 1/4" one on the front at the moment.
I'm still not decided on BS, will have another mock up with Dad and let everyone know what occurs.
Wheel size 18x9.5 with 4.75" BS no mods anywhere. With factory sheering did lock @ front due to from spoiler not perfectly setup. When changed to Flaming river R&P less turning radius, didn't matter.
the difference with 275 vs 285 rear you will not notice , square all around lets me rotate tires front & rear for best tire life ( trackdays )
Great info. So that's 9.5" on the front and rears?
Great info. So that's 9.5" on the front and rears?
Yes 18x9.5 with 4.75" backspacing, 275 40R18 or 275 35R18 40 profile better matches factory, 35 profile lowers center of gravity better for track events.
Hi Ross, how are you doing? Funny I was going to text you earlier as I remember you had 18" wheels, I was hoping they'd be 10" wide. The spacers are only for mocking up and to simulate different front and backspacing, although I do have a run a 1/4" one on the front at the moment.
I'm still not decided on BS, will have another mock up with Dad and let everyone know what occurs.
I wanted to retain the OEM front and rear track dimensions........hence 1" wider rear rim and additional 1" inset (so 5") I was concerned about outer edge of rear tyre 'contacting' fender lip......but no issues.........perhaps I should have mocked-up a 10" rim with tyre wider than 285.
285/40/18 tyres are starting to get a bit expensive here in UK.......as someone has noted there is negligable difference in width/rolling diameter with a 275/40/18.......they are less expensive and more available.
As this stage of your tyre.wheel search I'd be inclined to consider 'stepped' rear tyres......perhaps 20's or 21's......theres some nice wide options available (at a price).......crystal ball job though to choose a tyre/rim combo that'll still be available in 10 years time!
I bought the tyres a while back. I kept an eye out for 265,275 and 285/40-18’s. I have all three sizes sitting in the garage.
Michelin Pilots and Pirelli Pzero.
Thats a bit of a serious 'investment' Aaron - "dem' tyres ain't cheap"!
They’re all part worn from EBay. I rarely buy new tyres. I look out for tyres max 4 years old and with 5+ mm of tread. Amazing how much you save. The Michelins were £130 a pair💪. It’s not a super car so it doesn’t matter.
They’re all part worn from EBay. I rarely buy new tyres. I look out for tyres max 4 years old and with 5+ mm of tread. Amazing how much you save. The Michelins were £130 a pair💪. It’s not a super car so it doesn’t matter.
Search Accelera tyres Aaron - very reasonably priced - good reviews - not such a comprehensive choice of sizes but way, way cheaper than 'named' tyres!
I did 18x10 with 5.5 bs all the way around. I used 285/35r18 Nankangs. I get a slight rub on left front frame near the steering box bolts when really cranking the wheel hard left at low speed. It's a small price to pay for me. You may not be ok with it though. I could probably use a 1/4 inch spacer up front to pull the tire away just a little more.
I did 18x10 with 5.5 bs all the way around. I used 285/35r18 Nankangs. I get a slight rub on left front frame near the steering box bolts when really cranking the wheel hard left at low speed. It's a small price to pay for me. You may not be ok with it though. I could probably use a 1/4 inch spacer up front to pull the tire away just a little more.
That looks awesome😎. I think I’ll stick with the 9.5 front just incase.
So it’s looking like -
18 x 9.5 front 5”BS. Giving me 5.5” front space
18 x 10 rear 5.5BS giving me 5.5” front space.
You may want to mock something up in the rear and double check clearance.
IIRC a 5.5 bsp wheel gets really close to the parking brake bracket and it may need to be moved to the top of the trailing arm.
It will also hit the factory rear sway bar if so equipped.
If a 5" backspace wheel/tyre combo 'hits' the sway bar mount......its also gonna do the same thing with a 5.5" backspace........me?, I run the car without the sway bar......
You may want to mock something up in the rear and double check clearance.
IIRC a 5.5 bsp wheel gets really close to the parking brake bracket and it may need to be moved to the top of the trailing arm.
It’s already been moved for the current wheels. But yes worth pointing out.
07-03-2023, 03:42 PM
18 x 10 18 x 9.5 BS dilemma
