[V8Vairs] Wheels and Tires

[Chris Wills]

Hi Brian,

I think what I will do is extend the A arms by 1.25" and remove the spacers.  This will move the steering axis more to the center of the wheel and hopefully improve handling and make the steering easier.  I may move the upper A arm down or out to improve the camber gain.  I appreciate the comments on the BMW wheels.
Thanks,
Chris Wills
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bryan Blackwell<mailto:bryan at skiblack.com> 
  To: discussion of non-stock engines in Corvairs<mailto:v8vairs at corvair.org> 
  Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 9:23 AM
  Subject: Re: [V8Vairs] Wheels and Tires


  Hi Chris,

  Rather than redoing the suspension you might look into BMW wheels - I know of several folks who use those on a Corvair.  I have a set of aftermarket wheels that I'm pretty sure were a BMW fitment on a late.  Dave Binnie has a set of factory BMW wheels on his late turbo car.  I have a set of 16x7 from a BMW 528 for my next set of tires.  What you want is 5 or 7 series wheels from the late 90s.  Here's an ad from my area to give you an idea:

  http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/pts/3053782034.html<http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/pts/3053782034.html>

  Before someone (and you know who you are :-) beats me to it - there is a slight difference in the spec between Chevy and BMW bolt patterns.  The Chevy pattern in 5 on 120.7 mm, BMW is 5 on 120.  In practice this hasn't been an issue but I want you to be aware.  It is possible to get the pattern redrilled to be exactly correct.

  See my site for a couple shots of a late convert with BMW wheels:

  http://autoxer.skiblack.com/wheelpics.html<http://autoxer.skiblack.com/wheelpics.html>

  --Bryan

  On Jun 10, 2012, at 12:32 PM, Chris Wills wrote:

  > On my V8 I have Camaro (2001 I think) 16 X 8 wheel s all round with 245-50 in the rear, 225-55 in front.  Z rated Michelin Pilot ( came with the wheels off Craigs LIst).
  > 
  > I have to run 1.25" spacers because these late wheels have about 6" back space, which worries me, so I'm considering suspension mods to get rid of them.  I haven't pushed it hard in the corners yet as I am still working on reliability.  last night as I pulled into the driveway there was a bang and a miss.  Broke a rocker arm stud clean off my new Edelbrock heads...
  > 
  > Chris Wills 

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