Backspacing advice on year one rims

[Cutlass 3:16]

Been quite awhile since I have logged into the forum, have a 1980 Olds Cutlass (originally a Calais) that I brought out of storage this last summer after being in storage for the last 12 years. I'd like to solicit anyone's experience or recommendation on the Year One 17 inch Super Stock II rims, specifically the backspacing. Year one website says the rims come with 4.5" backspacing, however everything I've read says I need to stay within the 3.5 to 4.0" range. My factory Olds 14x6 ralleyes have 3.5, and my set of 15x7 ralleyes have 4.0" of backspacing. Seems like the 4.5" might be to much?

I recently tore up the factory 7.5" 10 bolt rearend (sheared 3 teeth off the ring gear), that has spawned a 9" ford upgrade from Quick Performance with disk brakes, which is going to require a rim size change to clear the disk brakes. One thing continues to lead to another.View attachment 189509View attachment 189508

Very nice! Did you get the chrome redone?

 

[Cutlass 3:16]

I have 17x8 front and 17x9 rear cast aluminum (AR-VN501) rims on my 79 Cutlass, both zero offset, so 4.5" and 5" Backspacing. Rear 255/45 tires have a little room to the frame (1/4"-5/16") at static position, but apparently rub slightly in a bind based on the rub marks on the frame rail. Front 8" rims just barely clear C5 Vette 12.8" rotors with C6 two piston caliper, surely the QP rear discs aren't any bigger.
View attachment 189544

Hey, Sooo I was at Summit last week and I love those AR-VN501.. I'm in the market for wheels and tires and wanted to get those wheels on 17s.. My 80 Cutlass has on the 14in factory rally wheels.. Are those AR-VN501 at 17inches good to bolt on to my Cutlass or will I need modifications?

 

[carnutjw]

Hey, Sooo I was at Summit last week and I love those AR-VN501.. I'm in the market for wheels and tires and wanted to get those wheels on 17s.. My 80 Cutlass has on the 14in factory rally wheels.. Are those AR-VN501 at 17inches good to bolt on to my Cutlass or will I need modifications?

They bolted on to my car with no mods when I had the stock suspension, but the thread/nut engagement is kinda short. I have since changed the front brakes to the Vette stuff with 12mm studs(plus tall ball joints, tubular upper control arms, and lowering springs), so I also swapped out the rear studs for 12mm, both of which are longer than the original 7/16" studs. Tire size is your limiting factor. Mine are 225/50-17 front and 255/45-17 rear. Some guys are running 275/40-17's with stock height suspensions, but that's not an option for me at my current ride height. Pretty sure this is all stock photo:

 

[clean8485]

I am using the Year One Chevelle SS/Camaro Z28 style 17" rims on my '80 Malibu. The car has the S10 Blazer front brake conversion done to it. I got the staggered set of rims from Year One, with 17" by 8" front rims, with 4.5"BS, and 17" by 9" rear rims with 5"BS. I running 245/45R17 front tires, and 255/50R17 rear tires. The front wheels and tires fit fine, and I haven't had any issues so far, but I'm told that the Blazer brakes widen the front track width of the car a bit. On the rear, it was a different story. Many people have commented that the A/G body cars have an issue with the rear axle being slightly offset to one side of the vehicle. That's what I found with my Malibu. On the rear, there was clearance for the rear wheel and tire on the left side, but on the right side, the inside sidewall of the tire contacted the frame. I installed a pair of 7/32" thick spacers on the rear wheels, and the problem was solved. The inner sidewall of the right rear tire is still close to the frame rail, but I've put several hundred miles on the car, and it hasn't rubbed at all yet. If you're concerned, get the matched set of 4 17" by 8" rims with the 4.5"BS. You shouldn't have any problems, as long as you don't get carried away with extremely wide tires. If memory serves, Year One carries the 17" by 8" rims as a set specifically for G body cars.

 

[Cutlass 3:16]

They bolted on to my car with no mods when I had the stock suspension, but the thread/nut engagement is kinda short. I have since changed the front brakes to the Vette stuff with 12mm studs(plus tall ball joints, tubular upper control arms, and lowering springs), so I also swapped out the rear studs for 12mm, both of which are longer than the original 7/16" studs. Tire size is your limiting factor. Mine are 225/50-17 front and 255/45-17 rear. Some guys are running 275/40-17's with stock height suspensions, but that's not an option for me at my current ride height. Pretty sure this is all stock photo:
View attachment 193800

I spoke with Summit today and they wanted me to check the backspacing.. They wanted me to ask you if you still had the part number. I know you told me the rims were put on prior to the mods, my car is as stock as stock gets besides the 350 upgrade. Got it from original owner.

 

[carnutjw]

Looks like the 8" might be delayed? I bought mine through Amazon(in 2017), but confirmed AR model @ as the same.

American Racing VN50179034500 - American Racing VN501 Gloss Black Machined Wheels​

Wheel, VN501, Aluminum, Silver/Black, 17 in. x 9 in., 5 x 4.75 in. Bolt Circle, 5.00 in. Backspace, Each
Part Number: ARE-50179034500

American Racing VN50178034500 - American Racing VN501 Gloss Black Machined Wheels​

Wheel, VN501, Aluminum, Silver/Black, 17 in. x 8 in., 5 x 4.75 in. Bolt Circle, 4.50 in. Backspace, Each
Part Number: ARE-50178034500
( 5 )
Ships Directly From Supplier
Estimated Ship Date: 7/29/2022 (if ordered today)

• Drop Ship
• Free Shipping

 

[Cutlass 3:16]

Looks like the 8" might be delayed? I bought mine through Amazon(in 2017), but confirmed AR model @ as the same.

American Racing VN50179034500 - American Racing VN501 Gloss Black Machined Wheels​

Wheel, VN501, Aluminum, Silver/Black, 17 in. x 9 in., 5 x 4.75 in. Bolt Circle, 5.00 in. Backspace, Each
Part Number: ARE-50179034500

American Racing VN50178034500 - American Racing VN501 Gloss Black Machined Wheels​

Wheel, VN501, Aluminum, Silver/Black, 17 in. x 8 in., 5 x 4.75 in. Bolt Circle, 4.50 in. Backspace, Each
Part Number: ARE-50178034500
( 5 )
Ships Directly From Supplier
Estimated Ship Date: 7/29/2022 (if ordered today)

• Drop Ship
• Free Shipping

I appreciate you man! I hate the estimated ship date. Lol