I'm getting a set of Weld RTS in 17" to clear my C5 brakes on my 87 442.. This calls for their medium pad wheel. Heres the deal, I already know I am going 17x8 with 4.5" backspacing for the rear and 255/45/17 tires. The front is where I am having the dilemma. Not with tire or rim size, but with the backspacing. In the Weld specification worksheet, it recommends a 3.9" backspacing for the 17x7 wheel. That is fine. However, this is for a low pad wheel (would fit over stock brakes). I now have to switch to the medium pad to clear the brakes. Here is the problem, the medium pad in the 17x7 come in 3.8" backspacing and 4.3" backspacing. Now I've seen cars on here running 4.25" backspacing with no issues, and I am really leaning towards the 4.3" backspacing because of this. However, the 3.8" backspacing is only .1" different than what Weld originally calls for on the Cutlass. My 442 has a hotchkis TVS system, dropped 1" all round with another 1/2" drop in the front with their spindles. Because of this drop, I wonder if I should go with the 4.3" backspacing to tuck em in a bit more to accomodate the drop. I guess I'd like to know what sorts of backspacing you guys are running on your 7" fronts if you are, as I obviously do not want rubbing, but I also do not want the wheel tucked in TOO far. I'm open to suggestions. I've been on the fence for weeks, and these wheels are not cheap. I don't wanna make the wrong choice. :!:
17x7 fronts. Two backspaces to choose from. Huge dilemma
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Re: 17x7 fronts. Two backspaces to choose from. Huge dilemm
Based on that, I could get away with the 3.8" BS. The reason I say that is with 4.5 BS, the wheel would stick out the same as say a 17x7 with 3.5" BS. And of course I'd be buying a little space with a 3.8". I think I'm leaning towards the 3.8" now. 🙂
tc1959 said:
Based on that, I could get away with the 3.8" BS. The reason I say that is with 4.5 BS, the wheel would stick out the same as say a 17x7 with 3.5" BS. And of course I'd be buying a little space with a 3.8". I think I'm leaning towards the 3.8" now. 🙂
Re: 17x7 fronts. Two backspaces to choose from. Huge dilemm
I did some more research and here is what I got on the web for a Grand National:
"Resting on a 108.1-inch wheelbase, the chassis measured 200.6 inches long -- a length to wheelbase ratio of 1.86:1. The body was 71.6 inches wide and 54.5 inches high. Tires 8.5 inches wide with a 7.2-inch sidewall height encased front and back wheels measuring 15 inches in diameter. The Buick had a 58.5-inch front track and a 57.8-inch rear track."
Being that the track on the rear is supposedly already smaller than the front, I think I want to go with the 4.3 to "even things out a bit". Does anyone know if this is the correct track width?
I did some more research and here is what I got on the web for a Grand National:
"Resting on a 108.1-inch wheelbase, the chassis measured 200.6 inches long -- a length to wheelbase ratio of 1.86:1. The body was 71.6 inches wide and 54.5 inches high. Tires 8.5 inches wide with a 7.2-inch sidewall height encased front and back wheels measuring 15 inches in diameter. The Buick had a 58.5-inch front track and a 57.8-inch rear track."
Being that the track on the rear is supposedly already smaller than the front, I think I want to go with the 4.3 to "even things out a bit". Does anyone know if this is the correct track width?
Re: 17x7 fronts. Two backspaces to choose from. Huge dilemm
I think on a lowered car as long as there are no interference issues I would go with the 4.3 bs keeping the tire tucked in slightly more avoiding any possible outer wheel well rubbing and as stated evening out your track width.
I think on a lowered car as long as there are no interference issues I would go with the 4.3 bs keeping the tire tucked in slightly more avoiding any possible outer wheel well rubbing and as stated evening out your track width.
Re: 17x7 fronts. Two backspaces to choose from. Huge dilemm
That's what I was thinking. I actually remember the post by another member here who has a malibu dropped 2" with Coy's C5 with 4.25 BS(only .05" difference than the 4.3 obviously) and I thought the car looked great! I'm pretty positive I'm going that route.
565bbchevy said:
That's what I was thinking. I actually remember the post by another member here who has a malibu dropped 2" with Coy's C5 with 4.25 BS(only .05" difference than the 4.3 obviously) and I thought the car looked great! I'm pretty positive I'm going that route.
Re: 17x7 fronts. Two backspaces to choose from. Huge dilemm
Coys C5's are only available in 4.5 or 4 inch backspace. And the don't really sell the 4 inch backspace often.
Coys C5's are only available in 4.5 or 4 inch backspace. And the don't really sell the 4 inch backspace often.
Re: 17x7 fronts. Two backspaces to choose from. Huge dilemm
That's not true. On their webpage, the first page with C-5's have the first two wheels 17x7 4.25" BS and 17x8 4.5" BS.
jrm81bu said:
That's not true. On their webpage, the first page with C-5's have the first two wheels 17x7 4.25" BS and 17x8 4.5" BS.
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