[Guy Mazza]

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"

[Guy Mazza]

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.

[gto_guy]

1more

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

["Guy]

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

[JPJ]

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.

[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

[Mook]

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

[GS470]

<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.

[JPJ]

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).

[Guy Mazza]

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

["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.

[gto_guy]

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.

["Guy]

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?

[Guy Mazza]

...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"

[Guy Mazza]

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"

[gto_guy]

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.

[GS470]

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.

[Guy Mazza]

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

[gearbanger]

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!

[Guy Mazza]

....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!)