Camaro Z28 Wheel/Tire Info

[MosportGreen66]

What is the biggest tire I could potentially fit in the rear of a 1969 Camaro Z28? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

Will a 15x8 wheel fit? Thanks http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Salvatore]

yep

[MosportGreen66]

Thanks Sam... Just had to do some double checking because my math just doesn't do the trick anymore.

Come on guys... no one has EVER installed a new set of tires on their first generation Z? I find this hard to believe! What are some common size combinations? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Schonyenko2]

L60 15s on 8in rims back, F70 14s on 7in rims frt. On 2nd thought G60s might be safer. I don't know how your rear suspension is setup.

[427TJ]

The critical item is the offset/backspace measurement on an 8-inch wheel. The best way is to first determine what the the car's offset 'distance available' is. Measure the depth inward from the brake drum (where the wheel seats) to the upper inner wheelwell. The upper-inner wheelwell is where tires rub first on non-tubbed 1st-Gens. Once you determine how much depth you have you can begin to do the math as to what wheel offsets (backspacing) will work. Then go to Summit, or wherever you can get tire size dimensions (height, tread width, cross section) and factor in those numbers with your available wheel offset distance. 15x8 Cragar S/S wheels, for example, come in two offsets: 4.25" and 2.25". The 4.25" offset will sit farther in toward the inner wheelwell and thus limit your tire width. The shallower 2.25" offset will stick out more but offer a wider tire tread and cross-section. Then, on a '69, you'll run into the flat-topped upper wheel body opening in the quarter-panel, so consider that. ('67-'68 has round outer quarter-panel openings and rubber size is much less of a problem.) Leaf spring-to-tire clearance really doesn't become a problem until the car gets tubs (or mini-tubs) and you start thinking about 10-inch or wider rims for that Pro-Street look. Good luck. Oh, and remember that when you jack up the car and remove a rear wheel to measure things, put the jack stands under the differential so as to load the suspension and keep it close to where it would be when the car's on the ground.

Or just go with Shoenyenko's advice!

[BlownAway]

actualy you can get a 275/60 x 15 tire in there...the rim has to be a 8" with a 4 1/2" back spacing..I use BFG Drag TA's 275/60 and I also dropped the rear 2" and the front 3"...on the front the rims are 15x7 with 4 1/4" back spacing with 215/60 comp TA's and handles like it's on rails...I do use a sway bar in the rear along with Cal-Tracs...and yes I had slight rubbing ..I got rid of that with the use of a small ball peen hammer to the inner(body) side for sidewall clearence...