17x8 backspacing etc.?

[bnsfds]

I have a '78 Malibu and thinking about putting 17x8 wheels with 245/45/17 tires all the way around per Norm Peterson's recommendation. From the research I've done, it seems that you guys with this combination have a backspacing from 4.5" to 5". In order to get my new springs and shocks, I was told I should get wheels and tires before those, so therefore I'm shopping for wheels and tires now.

So you know, I'm starting from scratch, the car is completely stock right now.

Those of you with this set up, which backspacing works best? Will the stock spindles work? Any other clearance issues? Or any suggestions in general?

Thank you
Everette

 

[Killerdave8813]

Hey Everett,
Norm's a pretty smart guy on the suspension stuff but I would double and triple check before I bought wheels & tires,I had a 79 Bu all stock and put a set of 15X7 ralleys on it and I'm thinking they were about 3 1/2" to 4" backspacing but can't verify it as the only thing I have left is the fleeting memory but with those wheels I first put 255/60R15s on the car,no problem on the rear but they rubbed everything on the front,frame,antisway bar,wheelwell lip,you name it,was all cool in a straight line though,after I wore those out I put 235/60R15's on it and although they didn't look so radical they fit very well and did not rub any thing at all,Malibu rear wells are good to 275's with the right wheels but the fronts are very tricky,the Bu I have now in my signiture has 15x6 front wheels with 3 1/2 back space 215/65R15's with 2"drop spindles and I don't think there's anyway possible that they'll rub anything,the rears are 15x8's with 4" backspace with 275/60R15's on a Moser rearend with big drum brakes and 1/4" spacers and there are still wheel well lip Issues from side to side,There's always something when you play this game,either you can deal with it or become a ?????????????? who knows!! Later,KillerDave

 

[kziggy1519]

have 17x8 in rear with 4.5bs and 275 40 r17. they are perfect.
front are 17x7 dont know the bs but have a 225 45 r17.

cool.gif dont rub anywhere cool.gif

 

[kziggy1519]

forgot to mention car is lowered 2in all the way around

 

[355_79bu]

17x8 4.5" bs should fit perfect with a 245/45/17. If you were ordering them in whatever bs you wanted, I would get a 4.5" bs for the front and a 4" bs for the rear. It will tuck the front wheels in slightly more than the rears, as well as make the rears look deeper than the fronts. You can also go with a 255/45/17 tire in the rear for a little bit of stagger in tire size. I have this exact size on my car, except the fronts are a 5" bs because I use b-body spindles which increase the track width slightly over the stock g-body spindles. Absolutely no rubs lock to lock, over bumps etc... And my car is lowered about 2 1/2"-3" over stock in the front and rear.