Wheel fitment question

[WV Mike]

Hi All,

I've been away from the forum for a while and am back. I haven't been able to do anything to my '84 Indy in a long while. It has been sitting in the garage doing not much of anything. I am thinking of getting some new wheels and was wondering if they would fit with stock shocks. I am interested in getting the HP Racing Lightning EVO 18x8 rims with 225/40/18 tires. Will this fit okay? Any issues? Here is a link to the rims:

http://www.wheelfire.com/scontent/WheelDetails.cfm?IDNumber=LightningSilver&SKU=227

Thanks,

Mike
Lexington, SC

[Fierofool]

Welcome back.  I used the "Will It Fit" function on the dealer's website and by inserting 1986 Pontiac Fiero SE Coupe, which is the identical body and suspension, it says it won't fit.  The information that isn't given for the wheels is the offset and that may be the problem.  With a custom wheel and tire, sometimes the only way to find out is to  mount it onto the vehicle.  In the case of the rear of the Fiero, the combo can be bolted to the hub and checked for clearance with the car on a lift since the tire and spring boss on the rear strut don't change relationship as the suspension travels up and down.  The front is a little different and must be on the ground to check for up and down as well as clearance when turning left or right.

It might be a good deal on the wheels, but there are any number of other manufacturers that make wheels with that spoke pattern.  Surely some of them will have the correct offset.  If their calculator doesn't have the 84 listed, do as I did.  The 85 GT, 86 and 87 SE and the 86 and 87 GT's all have the same suspension and body lines that would affect clearances. 

[Fierofool]

Did you ever get your brake upgrade done?  Tell us about it in the Tech Tips section.

[WV Mike]

Did you ever get your brake upgrade done?  Tell us about it in the Tech Tips section.

I had gotten started and the 15" GT rims do not work with the 88 Fiero brakes and Corvette 12" disc rotors. So, this is the need for larger rims.

[WV Mike]

Welcome back.  I used the "Will It Fit" function on the dealer's website and by inserting 1986 Pontiac Fiero SE Coupe, which is the identical body and suspension, it says it won't fit.  The information that isn't given for the wheels is the offset and that may be the problem.  With a custom wheel and tire, sometimes the only way to find out is to  mount it onto the vehicle.  In the case of the rear of the Fiero, the combo can be bolted to the hub and checked for clearance with the car on a lift since the tire and spring boss on the rear strut don't change relationship as the suspension travels up and down.  The front is a little different and must be on the ground to check for up and down as well as clearance when turning left or right.

It might be a good deal on the wheels, but there are any number of other manufacturers that make wheels with that spoke pattern.  Surely some of them will have the correct offset.  If their calculator doesn't have the 84 listed, do as I did.  The 85 GT, 86 and 87 SE and the 86 and 87 GT's all have the same suspension and body lines that would affect clearances.

Thanks.

[redraif]

I found that I never got good answers from the automated sites about fitment... seems none will allow for an 18.  Thinks can fit outside of their fitment guides.  I see the wheels are 38 offset.  From what I remeber 38- 40 offset was the magic spot to keep the wheel inside the fender well.  I will have to see if I can find all my fitment papers from when I was working on  the indy's wheel selections.  I ended up upgrading to aftermarket coil overs in the rear.  Was lowing the car as well.  Have you researched much on Pennocks? 
 
I cleared perfect in the front with it lowered 1.5 inch or so on the indy with a 18x8 in a 39 offset (spacer) stock front suspention.  If you want... I can try mine on yours and see how everything sits in the rear. it will be a 39 due to the spacer but its darn close.  I got tmy fronts with the idea of doing a future brake upgrade and wanted the offset to be correct for the conversion.  So that means temporary spacers up front.  Tires are 225/40 18 as well.  My rears are 18x8.5 45 offset.

Yipes... I just saw you are in sc.... so the trial fit is not going to work.  Maybe I can try them on another local members car that is all stock?  Would just need a car that would fit the bill...

[Fierofool]

We can do a trial fit on any of the cars I listed above when we have our next meeting.  Or, if Pat can give you the contact info for Jesse and David who bought Don and Anne's Fieros, they're down in Fayetteville.  For rear spring boss clearance, any Fiero except an 88 would work. 

[WV Mike]

Thanks Redraif. Yeah, I'm in SC.

[WV Mike]

Installed one new front right tire. 3 more to go. Bought Drag 18" rims with 225/40R18 wheels.

[redraif]

I said I would help.... you didn't have to totally steal my wheels...

Just kidding... looks good!

I have the Drag dr-34s in matte black on my indy.  Please post a pic when you get them all the way installed.   

Here's the indy... previous owner modded the paint scheme, so I went w it.

[WV Mike]

Just borrowing them. Took off some of the black when I polished them up. lol... J/K

Oh sweet those look awesome! Thanks for sharing. I bought the Drag DR-19s.

[redraif]

I think they are the same except for the lip?  Mine has no lip. 

What's the offset on Those?

[WV Mike]

I believe the offset was 42.

[WV Mike]

Okay, I've gotten all 4 Drag dr-19 rims with 225/40R18 wheels on now. I have installed '88 Raybestos 55997R Corvette disc brake rotors, and '88 Fiero calipers which I've painted red. Excuse the mess, the Fiero is a work in progress car in my garage. I still need to put on new rubber brake lines and new e-brake cable to get the brakes done. So, the Fiero is chalked so that it doesn't get moved around.

[redraif]

They look good.  I totally feel the work in progress