Heres the dealio...I was gonna sell my 69 GTO race car, but Im thinking of keeping it and putting it back on the street, ie; put fender wells back in, stock gas tank w/sump, de-tune engine, but keep t/brake T400, set up susp, Add pass seat, carpet, headliner, w/strips, detail etc....What I would like to do is get 17" or 18" Torque Thrust II's (polished) and was wondering what fits, what offsets, sizes etc. Im sure someone out there has a similar set-up? Pictures would be great, and appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help. Guy

"Lifes short, so love the one ya got, 'cause you might get runover or you might get shot"

Heres the dealio...I was gonna sell my 69 GTO race car, but Im thinking of keeping it and putting it back on the street, ie; put fender wells back in, stock gas tank w/sump, de-tune engine, but keep t/brake T400, set up susp, Add pass seat, carpet, headliner, w/strips, detail etc....What I would like to do is get 17" or 18" Torque Thrust II's (polished) and was wondering what fits, what offsets, sizes etc. Im sure someone out there has a similar set-up? Pictures would be great, and appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help. Guy

"Lifes short, so love the one ya got, 'cause you might get runover or you might get shot"

Check out this article


http://www.oldsmobility.com/fitting-wheels.htm

www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy
Everyone should believe in something,I believe I`ll have another drink.

Perfect! Great article!! But does anyone have pics of a 69 GTO w/either 17" or 18" Torque Thrusts installed? Thanks again

Man, I would keep that thing Pro-street. That would at least as cool and it is already done. You can detune and still smoke anything on the street with all that traction. Plus you can buy big monster tires and wheels for the back for what smaller 17" or 18" would cost. If you want to spend money, tweek your suspension and get some good shocks and an anti-roll bar to make it more streetable.

There is nothing cooler than a pro street GTO!

Let`s try this

www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy
Everyone should believe in something,I believe I`ll have another drink.

1more

www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy
Everyone should believe in something,I believe I`ll have another drink.

....now THATS what I'm talkin' about! Looks good. What size wheels are those? Is that your GTO (the silver one)? That pic looks like it was taken here in So Cal.

I really wouldnt say my car is "Pro-Street", rear suspension is stock width, NO mods to wheelopenings on the body, or wheelhouse (no tubs). I have raced this car for the last 10 yrs, and it was my driver before that (since mid-80's) Anyway, Im kinda burned-out on the Drag Racing (only) scene, and think it would make one helluva street-car (You should hear this thing w/3" Flowmasters!)

Those are 17`s.It`s not my car,I just saved the pics incase someone wanted to know what it would look like.The yellow one is the only one I have.I`ll try to upload one on 18`s but they aren`t torq thrust II`s.

www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy
Everyone should believe in something,I believe I`ll have another drink.

...Scha-wing!

"Lifes short, so love the one ya got, 'cause you might get runover or you might get shot"

I can understand that then, I am looking to put 17's and 18's on my 67 also. But I would probably take tubbed over the g-machine look, if it was already done.

Man those are some sharp GTO's!

Wow! Those 17" Torq Thrusts look great on that GTO! I wonder how they'd look on my '72 LeMans? I'm going to give that serious thought!

'72 LeMans 2Dr Hardtop
My first car, purchased in 1980
Enhancements performed Spring-Fall '03, still workin' out the bugs
468 Stroker by SD Performance
Tremec TKO II 5spd
---------------------------
'96 Corvette Grand Sport (#470 out of 1000 produced)
LT4 w/ couple of breathing mods, 6spd

OK, I just ordered my wheels...gonna go with: Front: 17" x 7" & Rear: 17" x 8". Was gonna go 17x8 frt & 17x9.5 rear but offset I wanted was not avail unless "custom" I should have em tomorrow...cant wait!

Cool,be sure to get some pics up when you put them on

www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy
Everyone should believe in something,I believe I`ll have another drink.

Any update's yet Guy? Pictures? I am interested in how it looks and it's fit.

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If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
http://community.webshots.com/user/rimhof456

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Robert Imhof:
Any update's yet Guy? Pictures? I am interested in how it looks and it's fit.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not yet...I have the 2 17" x 8" but am waiting for the frt 17" x 7"s. I am picking up my 69 GTO Convertible this morn (had a new top installed...again) and will probably put the wheels on the Conv for time being. I will get some pics asap.

ttt

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If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
http://community.webshots.com/user/rimhof456

Ok...The GTO Conv is home, I have the 17 x 8's. The 17 x 7's are on order and should be here Friday...then I gotta mount tires AND get through X-Mas. So, bear with me on da pics. I will get some pics of the car/wheels for now.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Guy Mazza:
OK, I just ordered my wheels...gonna go with: Front: 17" x 7" & Rear: 17" x 8". Was gonna go 17x8 frt & 17x9.5 rear but offset I wanted was not avail unless "custom" I should have em tomorrow...cant wait!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'd be interested in running the 17x9.5 rim in the back, too. When you say "custom", does that mean they'll change the backspacing for the same price and it will just take longer to get? Or do they charge more for the different backspacing? Where did you get your rims?

Yes, Custom meant more money: appx 75.00+ more+ extra wait. I got my wheels through my tire/wheel vendor that I do business with through the body shop I work at. ....I got a SMOKIN deal 215.00 for 17 x 8, and 205.00 for the 17 x 7. Not a bad deal. Here is a pic of one of the wheels

Ill prolly put em on this car for awhile.

Ouch! That's a lot of extra jing for changing the backspacing. Oh well, food for thought, I guess. The rim looks great. I look forward to seeing pics of them on the car.

Heres a quick pic w/my crappy camera. Once I lower the frt end a inch or 2, It will have the stance Im looking for

The wheels look good. What sizes are the tires?

Rear: 255/50zr17 Comp T/A (free) off SS Impala
Front 235/45hr17 Hankook's...I think a 245/45 or 235/50 might have filled the wheelwell better though. I may lower the frt an inch, or so to get a better stance + there is too much space in the wheelwell area

I have the same combo of tire sizes on 17x8 wheels with Hotchkis front springs and stock rear (so about the drop you were thinking about).

http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL148/...9/43146109.jpg

I have the same combo of tire sizes on 17x8 wheels all around. I lowered the front with Hotchkis springs and have the rear stock -- so about the drop I think you are considering.

Very nice! That is the ride height I am looking for. Are the Hotchkiss springs a off-the-shelf item? Do they just "bolt-in" Do you have a part#? I like your color combo too. I was going to go originial on the conv, but may go with a color like my race car, similar too Carousel Red. And am also considering changing Parchment int to Black. Top is already done, so that stays white. What else have you done to your car?
Guy

The springs are standard Hotchkis #1901F -- which are the ones they call "small block" springs. I have a set of rear Hotchkis waiting to be put on because I want a little more of a G-machine stance now. I'm also putting on rear discs. I’ve got all polygraphite bushings, KYB shocks, WS6 front sway bar and a 7/8” rear bar. With a quick ratio steering box and the bigger tires it handles and rides really well.

In the early 1980’s this car was a custom show car -- lots of red velour and gold trim. I was told it was in a BFGoodrich calendar sometime between ’82 and ’84 (would love a copy if anyone were to have it). It’s hard to see the color in photos but still has the over 20 year old paint of candy apple red over firemist gold and yellow pearl. My engine compartment, trunk, and interior are back to being mostly stock now.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Guy Mazza:
Rear: 255/50zr17 Comp T/A (free) off SS Impala
Front 235/45hr17 Hankook's...I think a 245/45 or 235/50 might have filled the wheelwell better though. I may lower the frt an inch, or so to get a better stance + there is too much space in the wheelwell area<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Lookin' good! http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_cool.gif

Hey, if you wanna 'off' those front tires for some taller ones I might take 'em off your hands. http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_wink.gif

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My wife says I never listen to her, at least that's what I think she said.

Guy and JPJ - I really like the tire/wheel combos you have on your cars, those 17s really look nice. I'm struggling with what to do on mine and go back and forth between going with 17s or going as wide as I can with 15s and 50 series tires all around.

I also set my car up for handling when I did the suspension last summer. BMR 1.25" front and 1" rear sway bars, BMR tubular rear control arms, quick ratio steering box, Edelbrock IAS shocks, full poly bushings and Hotchkis springs front and rear. I also went with the "small block" springs in the front and was surprised my front end didn't drop more. I've got a lot of weight on my front end (iron heads, battery still in front, etc...), but my car still has a very level stance. I guess my point is that if you go with the "small block" Hotchkis springs in front, don't be too surprised if your front end doesn't drop much.

http://64.122.48.244/todd/images/LeManz127_50.jpg

I didn't think I got that much drop in front either -- that's why I've said a few times that the "big block" springs probably wouldn't be a good choice for GTO's if you want to lower.

With the extra weight of the convertible I'm thinking I may need to cut a half coil off my front springs when I put on the Hotchkis rears.

I called Hochkins they said to use the big block springs for my 68. Now after seeing this maybe I should go with their small block springs front and rear????
Or maybe go to eibach springs???
I ready to order my springs now, what brand should I go to for a 1" to 1-1/2" drop?
Eibach or hotchins?

I have them on my 66 convert, amazing how 17" wheels and tires can make your car handle

RAIV Don't leave home without it.
www.musclecarrace.com

Sweet. Way nice rag top!!
and home too!
Anyway which coil springs do have? Big block or small block? Eibach or hotckins brand?? My frame is apart now it will be sent out this week for sand blasting...I need to start ordering parts now..
Thanks

Gonzo...
Do rake those leaves every year http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_razz.gif

Yeah, I hate raking them as you can tell.

springs stock, rear hotchkiss, 462 dual quads

RAIV Don't leave home without it.
www.musclecarrace.com

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Guy,mn.usa:
I called Hochkins they said to use the big block springs for my 68. Now after seeing this maybe I should go with their small block springs front and rear????
Or maybe go to eibach springs???
I ready to order my springs now, what brand should I go to for a 1" to 1-1/2" drop?
Eibach or hotchins?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Guy - I think the Hotchkis small block's would give you little over an inch drop. Maybe the big block springs are a little shorter but stiffer. So it's possible they could give basically the same amount of drop, but be better suited for the weight of the Pontiac engine? When I got mine there was not a choice -- only the original (small block) springs were available. I'm pleased with the ride so don't know that I would want anything different (other than another half inch lower).

I looked on Eibach's website and see they call for "small block" springs with all Pontiacs (with 1.3"/1.3" drop for GTO's). I have Eibach Pro-kit springs (with Koni shocks) on my BMW 330i and really like them as well. I know you can't compare between vehicles, but I think both companies build quality products and either would probably work out just fine for you.

BTW, the small/big block choice is only on the front -- rears are the same.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Guy,mn.usa:
I called Hochkins they said to use the big block springs for my 68. Now after seeing this maybe I should go with their small block springs front and rear????
Or maybe go to eibach springs???
I ready to order my springs now, what brand should I go to for a 1" to 1-1/2" drop?
Eibach or hotchins?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

FWIW, I e-mailed Hotchkis to get their opinion on what springs I should use on the front of my car and they recommended the "small block" springs.

Gonzo, what are the size and backspacing of the rims and tires on your 66? Thanks. It looks great!

Guy,what backspacing did you get on those?

www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy
Everyone should believe in something,I believe I`ll have another drink.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by gto_guy:
Guy,what backspacing did you get on those?

http://www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy
Everyone should believe in something,I believe I`ll have another drink.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

,,,,which Guy?

Guy I think he was asking you.
I got my Eibach coil springs in the mail Sat. Very nice, can't wait to see the 68 together and restored. Also my Rhoads lifters came...very nice stuff.

I will check the B/S & get back to you. I think the box had the B/S in "MM". I'll be back!

Yep I was asking you Guy Mazza.Thanks for checking for me

www.cardomain.com/id/gto_guy
Everyone should believe in something,I believe I`ll have another drink.

...OK Guys, I just called my tire jobber, and the B/S for BOTH 17" x 7" & 17" x 8" = 4.0", Hope this helps.
PS: In the pic of my car, the frt tires were way underinflated, so they dont look so "low-profile"

Hey guys, are the polished wheels the best way to go? I have a 69 gto with no mods. I am trying to figure out which size wheels & tires to get and does size make a difference? After seening the wheels on the silver gto( I think its silver),The II's are my choice. What is the back spacing that I need to look for? Thanks

I need 17's on my 68...it has been lowered with Eibachs torq II's. this is a pic of it with the restored rallyIIs...

Why? It looks great like it is! http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...icon_smile.gif

oops. I want to put 17x7 front and 17x8 back.
What back spacing works?
what tire size? I'd like to stay with 26.5 or shorter on the height...
And last who has the best price on tire/wheel packages?
Thank you