nighthawk355x

iTrader: (5)

I already searched and came across scattered bits of info here and there but none of it was really that helpful so far. Still going through the wheel choices I've got and I may get 18" after all. I have a few questions about wheel width and tire size. My biggest concern though, is I want to use an Eibach Pro Kit on the car, so please guys if you have lowered cars on 18's I'm looking for your help especially.

I'd like 18x9.5 up front and 18x10.5 rear, will they fit without any rubbing issues? I don't mind cutting the bump stop and doing a little massaging but is that all I'll need, if anything?

What tire sizes can fit in there without rubbing? I like the look of the 275/40's up front, but can I get an equally tall tire in the rear? I like the look of a decent amount of sidewall, but not too much. Really low profiles look like ***.

Will I have any issues after lowering the car?

nighthawk355x

iTrader: (5)

I forgot to add...pics would be great too!

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

First off, wheel diameter doesn't have an impact on if it's going to fit or not. Width does, and if you can get 17x11's to fit, then you should have no problem getting a 10.5" wide wheel to fit as long as the backspacing is correct.

skewba98z28

iTrader: (14)

To answer your questions Yes 18/9.5's and 18/10.5's will fit with a pro kit installed. Depending on your offset will depend on how much BFH'ing you will have todo. An adjustable panhard rod will be a must with 10.5's PERIOD!! Your front tires will need to be, we'll they don't have to be, but the best look is 275/35's front 295/35's rear or 305/35's rear of course 305's will probably need mor BFH'ing. It really all depends on your offset.

02SOMLS1WS6

Rubbing will depend on tire size and back spacing of the wheel. You can see my wheel size and tire choice in my sig. I only had to do minor rolling of the fender. I probably could have lived with the minor rubbing since it only occured when hitting a large bump and the entire rear would hit the bump stops, but since I was going on power tour I didn't want to risk cutting a tire. My car is also lowered with LG super springs so I think a bit lower than the eibachs you want.

nighthawk355x

iTrader: (5)

True, backspacing will probably the biggest question, but the first part is totally false. Wheel diameter will definately have an impact. I used to install wheels/tires and have seen people who thought that get into some big headaches(they pay for 18x9.5's and assume they'll fit since their 16x9.5's fit, then they rub and their f*cked out of $900). If wheel diameter doesn't have an impact then try getting 20x10.5's in there without rubbing. Unless the back of your wheel wells are perfectly straight up and down,(which they're not), then you'll rub.

I just wasn't sure if an inch would make much of a difference or not with F-bodies...never had to do many rims/tires on them. But I guess the .5" difference in width would probably make up for the 1" in hight.

So next question, with the 18x9.5 and 18.10.5 setup what backspacing is everyone using??

bene

iTrader: (16)

I have 53 mm offset on my wheels. 18x9.5s and 18x10.5s Pictures are in my FQuick link.

Xsta Z 28

iTrader: (2)

Car is lowered with 1" drop springs.

Z06: 18" x 9.5" front 57 mm offset 275/35ZR18 &18" x 10.5" rear 58 mm offset 295/35ZR18

Fronts, no issues. Rears, needed some minor BFH and an adjustable panhard, wound up running 5/16" spacers out back cause the wheels looked too tucked in, wound up selling.



Fikse Profile 13: 18" x 9.5" front 38 mm offset 275/35ZR18 &18" x 10.5" rear 38 mm offset 295/35ZR18



Fronts, ever so slighting rub the plastic wheel well liner at full turn. Rears wound up rolling the quarter panel lips.

Xsta Z 28

iTrader: (2)

Oh and wheel diameter has nothing to do with if they will fit (other than going smaller diameter - cause then clearances come into play) . . . It's the TIRES and the offset or backspace..

If you have a 16" x 7" wheel with a 8" wide x 26" diameter tire, and replace it with a 18" x 7" wheel with a 8" wide x 26" diamter tire, there will be NO problems, assuming identical offsets / back spacing.

The problem comes with different wheel WIDTHS, and TIRE diameters . . .

2fast97Z

iTrader: (20)

i have the z06 9.5/10.5 18" combo with no rubbing whatsoever and i have DMS springs w/ no isolators...i only had to BFH ONE small spot and everything has been good...running 265/35 fuzions in the front and 295/35/18 Firestone Wideoval's in the rear


(that was with the old 295 Escta MX's

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

Thanks for the backup.

02SOMLS1WS6

3rd that. As long as the outside tire diameter stays the same it doesn't matter what the wheel diameter is.

nighthawk355x

iTrader: (5)

Yes I do understand that as an example, and I know as long as over-all diameter is the same all will be well. I may have been wrong thinking that an inch or two in diameter would make a difference, but if you keep the same width, you can't go hugely different in wheel diameter because there isn't a low enough profile tire to fit in the wheel well without rubbing. Tires are more of an important idea with sizing, but the wheel can only be so big before the tires won't make a damn difference. Wheel wells in at least 80% of cars bow outward slightly at the top and/or sides, which means the exact same width on a much different wheel diameter WILL NOT fit in there no matter what tire you put on it, no matter what your backspacing, unless you hammer/grind/cut. Like I said if what you say is true then we should have no problem getting a 22x10.5 in there, right? Maybe wheel diameter isn't AS BIG of a part of fitment as I thought but unless I missed a day in geometry class(which I didn't), diameter does play a role. As long as it's a part of over-all diameter it does make a difference.

Argue all you want but I've seen it happen first hand 4 times that I can think of off the top of my head. And 3 of the people in question used the smallest tire they could get, the other I still say wouldn't have fit regardless. And I know, the tire is what rubbed, not the rim...but since they don't and can't make a tire small enough to keep from rubbing, it's the WHEEL diameter that's hurting fitment. I'm not trying to fight though and I do appreciate the help.

Keep the pics coming and lets get some more examples with backspacing. I love the Fikse's by the way...wish I could afford them!

xBROKEx

iTrader: (7)

see sig for pick, i have the eibach pro kit and am running 275/35's in the front and 285/35's in the rear with no rubbing issues.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

What part are you beating with the hammer? And what does rolling the fenders do?

02SOMLS1WS6

If the tire rubs the inside of the fender well you have to take a BFH to the inside to make some clearance. Rolling the fenders is nothing more than taking the inside lip of the fender and bending it upwards so the outside of the tire doesn't rub when you hit a bump since the suspension compressed and may have interferance with the fender. You can rent the correct tools, fender roller, to do this job.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Ah OK that makes sense... sorry for the noob question

nighthawk355x

iTrader: (5)

So how are you guys liking your 18's? Any ride issues, traction issues? I think the look is amazing on our cars but my goal is an all around driveable car, I want handling, and straight line speed. My biggest concern is getting the car to hook on the street with street radials that I can keep all year round. I'm not going nuts, full bolt ons, 2400 stall, 3:42's, suspension work; I'd like mid-low 12's and to hook somehow on the street.

I figure with the 18's I'll need as much contact patch as I can get tp compensate some for the loss of sidewall(hence the 10.5" width).

02SOMLS1WS6

I love mine. The ride isn't much different as far as comfort goes. I haven't noticed a significant increase in handling, the wider tires do help with traction although the only other tires I ever had were the stock goodyears. So far no down sides for me.

bene

iTrader: (16)

I like my Z06 18s 9.5/10.5" 53 mm offset ALOT. I have 3.42s, 3500 stall, lid, LTs, true duals, 18s wheels/ BFG KDW street radials and ran my time at 12.6-12.7s. Next year, I'm looking for low 12s w/ nittos rear tires, intake (LS6 or F.A.S.T.) and better injectors.