The Camaro Club (UK)

I call upon the wise and the "already been there done that" people on here!

I know these kind of questions come up time and again depending upon peoples projects.

OK looking at some alloys of 16x9 sizing, and also looking at the fair wheel fitment guide from the site - http://en.chevroletcamaro.cz/archive/20 ... chart.aspx Just wondering about what back space i need to adjust to to fit these on and will it go under regular arches?

the back space on the wheels is 5.75" (bmw wheels) but what bs/et have other people used and can 9" width fit without modifications?

(Also off topic if any one has a 2nd gen RED passenger seat belt would be interested.)
cheers
AndyCamaro

Guessing we're talking about 2nd gen cars here ?

In an ideal world you'll want virtually zero, or very low offset on front and rear, which is hard to find.

I've fitted a couple of sets of BMW wheels, the first we're 8.5" x 17 wheels from an 8 series I think, offset from memory was 19mm ET which works out around 4.5 inch backspace. The rears needed an inch spacer to fill the arch properly.

Current wheels, needed to clear the front brakes, are 18" aftermarket staggered for 5 series, so 18" x 8.5" with 19mm offset (same width and backspace as the last set) on the front, and 18" x 10" with 13mm offset on the rear, these also need an inch spacer to get the right position, so total rear backspace is about 5.75 inches as you say.
Some folk have squeezed an 11" rim with a 315 tyre but on mine it still rubs both sides with a 295, but it is lowered a bit and I do throw it round the bends alot

I think on a 9inch rim could go 5.25 or 5.5 inch backspace.

Any reason you want 16" wheels ? The tyre choice and sizes is very limited compared to 17" or 18". I'd personally go for 17" staggered 8.5 and 9.5" set for a 5 series fitment if possible.. If you're using spacers use decent bolt on 'adaptor' hub centering type.

can't help on the seatbelt though I'm afraid..

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Stu - Ideally I would like 17's but the cost and choice whilst looking on a certain auction site is somewhat limited and when looking at a staggered set the price increases somewhat!

The 16's look cool as a standard BM set and look wide enough on the front ie a bit of "dish" also they are fairly local.

So with this in mind then you would advise not to go with these as the spaces needed would be too great?

Andy

i think you'll save in the long run with 17's , as 16" tyres will cost more, and they look better ..
As usual it's a £ versus what you want argument..
I picked up my first 17" wheels with useable (but still cr@p) tyres off ebay for about £150.

IMO any thing less than 8.5" wide with a bigger diameter rim will look too small on the back as well. I think you'll be dissapointed with the BMW rims on the back without spacers, as they will sit well inside the arch otherwise. 1" spacer will do the trick, but figure that into the cost as good ones are not cheap.

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

have been looking at spaces and they are fairly inexpensive but not looked at 1" wide but 1/2 - 3/4" are 20squid a pair. So I am aware that they would be needed, not sure what offset my current 15s have but they fill the arches but then they also have 225s on there and a fairly high profile.

so any one know of some alloys ie 17s for a ton? i know its a tight budget but believe it cam be made?

remember being sent a few photos of someone that had Jaguar wheels on their 2nd gen and they looked good but as you say they were excessively inward due to the high ET / offset.

That's very cheap. Mine were about £60 from the states, look a bit like this:

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

ahh the spacers i were looking at were not bolt to bolt extension so just a metal disc just enough to push out the wheels enough.
looking over the tinternet for 1" spacers would need that as you have shown

I can knock up concentric spacers.

I've got a 328 E36 coupe (as a daily driver) with 17x8 rear rims with 245/45/17 tyres, no idea on the ET, but I can do a quick offer up at the weekend if you want?

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My '80 progress thread - hugger orange! Now with LQ9 power - forged pistons, LS2 rods, 236/242, .621/.612, flowed and milled 317 heads. MS3X

4L80e, 12 bolt, 4.11, Moroso brute strength posi, steel shafts.

Subframe connectors, g-braces, solid body bushes, carbon hood and front bumper, custom door cards, Autometer gauges.

I'm pretty sure the E36 has a different larger offset, shame as the wheels come up more regularly and cheaper.
When I sold my 17's a couple of years ago I advertised them as 5/6/7 series, but one guy was adamant they'd fit his 320, so drove over to trial fit them... They stuck out about 2 inches and looked stupid, he didn't buy them...

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

yes I also believe that the 3 series has an ET of 35 approx so will be approx 5.5" or maybe a bit more.
Generally need E46 bm wheels as these are for 5 series