[HWYSTR455]

And that's the .78 template, fingers crossed. I would buy today if I knew, the driver needs wheels. I'd like to upgrade the calipers too.

I'd feel more comfortable with a spec sheet from the manufacturer than some guy holding a printed out pattern up to the wheel, but will take what I can get at the moment.

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[70455HOVert]

Yes, I figured if it cleared that template, then the others would be good.

Dave, the gent at the store, indicated that there was a large lip on the backside of the wheel that may effect the ID. He was most concerned with that, vice the overhang. He was going to check a 17" wheel first.

Other than having more room for brakes, is there another advantage to going to 18" wheels?

[HWYSTR455]

Contact patch/performance, but 18 tires are a touch more money and slightly smaller selection.
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[hada76]

Originally Posted by 70455HOVert

I called these guys yesterday. Very nice guy and he asked that I email him the KORE3 template so he could size a wheel. I told him that the forum was waiting on the results...lol

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CPP-US-Mags-...040547&vxp=mtr

This is also the cheapest I've found for a set of 17x8s...$654 with lugs and caps and free shipping.

that's a good price, but 2gen Fbody is not on fit list

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by hada76

that's a good price, but 2gen Fbody is not on fit list

8" wide zero offset is what a 2nd gen needs in general.

.

[glenn911]

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...psf411b88b.jpg

here is mine with new paint and new wheels.....

[72blackbird]

18 x 9's fit on 70-73 Firebirds like a glove- it's the 74-81 Birds that will have issues because of the seat belt hump in the rear wheel well. All it takes is some massaging with a BFH and the 18 x 9's will fit.

As far as big brake clearance is concerned, the 18 x 9 Bandits have a mounting pad that's .75" offset from the backside of the spokes. Looking at Wilwood's wheel clearance diagram for their Forged Narrow Superlite 6R Big Brake Front Brake Kit (pt. no.140-10486-R), there's plenty of clearance for the Superlite 6R caliper, as well as 16" space needed for the 14" rotor to fit. Wilwood specs out a .060" clearance from the top of the rotor to the wheel- no problem there. The Wilwood kit isn't cheap ,but it will fit and has a 0.00" track offset. The Nittos I'm running stick so well with the stock brakes I'm in no hurry to upgrade, but the big brakes will be a must once my 600 hp 455 goes in.



Geno

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by glenn911

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...psf411b88b.jpg

here is mine with new paint and new wheels.....

Those compliment the paint perfectly! Nice!

.

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by 72blackbird

18 x 9's fit on 70-73 Firebirds like a glove- it's the 74-81 Birds that will have issues because of the seat belt hump in the rear wheel well. All it takes is some massaging with a BFH and the 18 x 9's will fit.

As far as big brake clearance is concerned, the 18 x 9 Bandits have a mounting pad that's .75" offset from the backside of the spokes. Looking at Wilwood's wheel clearance diagram for their Forged Narrow Superlite 6R Big Brake Front Brake Kit (pt. no.140-10486-R), there's plenty of clearance for the Superlite 6R caliper, as well as 16" space needed for the 14" rotor to fit. Wilwood specs out a .060" clearance from the top of the rotor to the wheel- no problem there. The Wilwood kit isn't cheap ,but it will fit and has a 0.00" track offset. The Nittos I'm running stick so well with the stock brakes I'm in no hurry to upgrade, but the big brakes will be a must once my 600 hp 455 goes in.



Geno

I think I'm just going to go ahead an pull the trigger, they're so inexpensive, I can find something to do with them...

.

[HWYSTR455]

Bought. 18x9s. Once I get them, if anyone wants me to do the template thing, lemme know...

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[70455HOVert]

Thanks. Hopefully when I hear back from Dave I'll have the 17" info.

[HWYSTR455]

I was fighting switching to 18s, know I should for performance and all, just that thing eats tires, and 17s are cheaper. If I get a season out of a set of backs, I probably wasn't driving it enough.

I'm collecting the parts now to clone the 70 orbit judge from dazed & confused, and these wheels will be perfect for it. (this one is for my son, daughter got the 442)

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[70455HOVert]

Dave got back to me yesterday.

Good news is that there's plenty of caliper overhang room on both 17 and 18.

Bad news is that the 17 isn't large enough in radius inside the wheel to clear the template. 18 has plenty of room. He said the 17 needed about another 3/16" in the barrel to clear the template.

Looks like it's 18s for me.

[HWYSTR455]

Well, now we know. Which is a good thing! (Glad I didn't take a chance on the 17s!).

Tracking shows my 18s delivery date as Thursday. Everyone happy, or does anyone still want me to do the template(s)?

.

[70455HOVert]

If you don't mind, a second opinion would be great. Also, I'm one to think that a couple of cell phone pics of the front and back of the wheel would be great. Thanks!

[HWYSTR455]

Yeah, I can do that, maybe Thursday night, definitely by end of weekend. I'll get some of the back with the template too.

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[70455HOVert]

I noticed that discounttiredirect offers a 255/45/18 for $93 each with free shipping. They're only rated at a 280 treadwear, but given the low miles that I sadly put on the car each season, I think they might just do the trick. The same tire in other sizes has reviewed well on other forums.

[Captainofiron]

Originally Posted by glenn911

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...psf411b88b.jpg

here is mine with new paint and new wheels.....

looks great man

[70455HOVert]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Yeah, I can do that, maybe Thursday night, definitely by end of weekend. I'll get some of the back with the template too.

.

Sorry to be impatient.....but did they show up today?

[HWYSTR455]

Yeah, actually came in a day early, Wednesday, lucky I was home that day and could sign for them.

I need to print the template, not sure my printer can handle it, need to look at the actual size of the template. But one way or another, I will knock this out no later than sunday.

I'm interested in info getting the PMD caps to work too, need to dig on that. If anyone has any insight that would be helpful, please post.

.