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Best wheel offset/size for a firebird?

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Old Oct 2, 2019 | 12:27 PM
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Default Best wheel offset/size for a firebird?

I recently purchased a 96 firebird, and have started accumulating parts for it. I’ve been on the hunt for a set of work CR-Kai style wheels, and have found two that I like in my price range.

The cheaper of the two is a set of 18’s that were on a 99 camaro, and in the pictures of his car, appear to fit really well. The seller hasn’t responded to my question about specs yet, so I did some research and found that the oem wheels for the firebird have a 5mm more aggressive offset (50mm vs the camaros 55). I had heard that the firebirds bodies are a little wider, but other than the offset, I haven’t found any other evidence supporting that. Assuming they are wider, if these wheels fit well on a camaro, the fitment would weaker on the bird correct? If so, I would need to run spacers to make up for the difference but I just wanted to clarify.

the second pair were off an e46 bmw, and are 19x9.5 +22. From what I can gather, this set will be too aggressive and stick out some, but all the research I did ended up talking about camaros. That being said, assuming the firebirds are wider, the 22 offset would the wheels potentially fit the bird with a roll of the fenders?

im new to the whole wheel offset/calculation thing in the domestic car scene, and all the calculators and predictors I’ve found have talked about backspacing and offset in inches and stuff. Having only experienced the import side of things, I’m a little lost and any help would be greatly appreciated

thanks!

Ive attached a picture of my car as it sits and a photoshop of my basic plan wheel wise to help aid whoever might help in getting an idea of what wheel I’m looking for

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Old Oct 6, 2019 | 05:22 PM
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Almost two hundred views and nobody can answer my question? Someone please help me out here!
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Old Oct 9, 2019 | 09:18 AM
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Does nobody know the answers to my questions? Come on guys I could really use the help!

Thanks!
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Old Oct 17, 2019 | 08:48 PM
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Read that big ‘ol sticky at the top of this section.....
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Old Oct 18, 2019 | 01:13 PM
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Not sure if this helps since you're running skinnier wheels, but I have C4 ZR1's 17x9.5 in front 38mm offset, and 17x11's rear with 36mm offset. This offset is almost perfect for my 17x11's in the rear, 40mm might be slightly better, as still had to roll the fender lip for when hard cornering, but they fit perfect otherwise. Front there is plenty of room with only the 9.5's, as I have ran 315's on 11" wheels in front with only slight rub at close to full lock.
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Old Oct 18, 2019 | 04:41 PM
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~+40mm seems to be the sweet spot for these cars.

+22 on a 9.5 wheel will definitely poke a good bit, even on the bird.
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