Nova wheel backspace

Stkracer23 · 07-14-2010, 07:45 AM

Hi Guys Im new to this site. My name is Josh and Im building a 1969 nova stocker. I was wondering if any of you guys could tell me what back space works on these cars. Id like to run a 10 inch wheel on the rear. I guess 3.5 on the front not sure on the backspace. This is my first racecar any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Robert Simpson · 07-14-2010, 08:03 AM

On my street 70 Nova with a stock Nova 12bolt, I run a 8" rim with 5.5" backspacing with a 275/60 tire. I have no clearance issues and my car sits lower than stock. I am not sure about the 10" rims I know there are people on here that could answer about this. Hope this helps.

Stkracer23 · 07-14-2010, 09:16 AM

Thanks Robert. Im going to run a 30/9 slick. Just trying to find the right combination. So I can order my wheels.

Bobby Zlatkin · 07-14-2010, 10:28 AM

I use a 8" wheel and a 9" x 29" tire on my '73 stocker, Tried a 4 1/2" back space and tire rubbed the outter wheel lip. With a 5 1/2" bs the tire rubbed the inner wheel well. So, I run the 5 1/2" bs with a 1/2" spacer. Not the the best deal, but good luck finding an affordable, good looking 8" wheel with a 5" bs which would be ideal. ot in the Summit or Jegs catalogue.

Jim Cimarolli · 07-14-2010, 10:45 AM

I use a Hoosier radial with a 10 inch rim that has 6 inches of backspacing.
My rear end overall width from axle flange to axle flange is 60.5 inches, everything will just make it with that combo. Of course you have to trim the inner lip of the fender and lightly fold the front trailing edge of the lower part of the wheel opening.

Stkracer23 · 07-14-2010, 03:57 PM

Thanks alot guys I appreciate all the information! Now I have to decide between the 8 or 10 inch wheel.

Grant Eldridge · 07-15-2010, 09:08 AM

On my 1970 Nova, a 5.5" bs 10" rim worked, but as above you'll need to roll the lip of the wheel opening, and also hammer in the closest points on the inner wheelhouse. Unfortunately, I can't tell you the exact width of the rear end from memory, when we built the car we started with a wider 12 bolt and narrowed it to the Nova, changed the perches etc. I do know that it is tight, just makes it with the 9" x 30" radial section widths after all the massaging of the inner with a sledge hammer. Of course, an 8" rim with a 4.5"bs is a bit easier as it reduces the section width, but we felt the 10" was the way to go. Be ideal if you could borrow a set for fitting it up before you buy a set....

Danny Ashley · 07-15-2010, 09:40 AM

Hi Josh - My friend Mike McDonald runs a 69 Nova 350-255 . If this is the engine you plan to run he has one for sale at a good price and he can also tell you about wheel spacing. I had his car here over the winter and he has no issues with clearence. Buying a proven engine from someone who runs the same car as you will speed your learning curve tremendously. He can help you get in the ballpark in all aspects of your car. His cell is 812-677-1097.

Stkracer23 · 07-15-2010, 01:02 PM

I thank you for all the information! This really helps alot. Im not sure if Im going with a big or small block yet. But I agree Danny a proven tested combo would definately help get me started. Im leaning toward a big block stick car. But ill have to see what's available. Id like to find a good used big block engine and jerico trans. Thanks again guys!

07-14-2010, 07:45 AM	#1
Stkracer23 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 11 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Nova wheel backspace Hi Guys Im new to this site. My name is Josh and Im building a 1969 nova stocker. I was wondering if any of you guys could tell me what back space works on these cars. Id like to run a 10 inch wheel on the rear. I guess 3.5 on the front not sure on the backspace. This is my first racecar any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

07-14-2010, 08:03 AM	#2
Robert Simpson Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 808 Likes: 7 Liked 20 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Nova wheel backspace On my street 70 Nova with a stock Nova 12bolt, I run a 8" rim with 5.5" backspacing with a 275/60 tire. I have no clearance issues and my car sits lower than stock. I am not sure about the 10" rims I know there are people on here that could answer about this. Hope this helps.

07-14-2010, 09:16 AM	#3
Stkracer23 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 11 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Nova wheel backspace Thanks Robert. Im going to run a 30/9 slick. Just trying to find the right combination. So I can order my wheels.

07-14-2010, 10:28 AM	#4
Bobby Zlatkin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mills River, NC Posts: 417 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Nova wheel backspace I use a 8" wheel and a 9" x 29" tire on my '73 stocker, Tried a 4 1/2" back space and tire rubbed the outter wheel lip. With a 5 1/2" bs the tire rubbed the inner wheel well. So, I run the 5 1/2" bs with a 1/2" spacer. Not the the best deal, but good luck finding an affordable, good looking 8" wheel with a 5" bs which would be ideal. ot in the Summit or Jegs catalogue. __________________ Bobby & Norene Zlatkin L/SA

07-14-2010, 10:45 AM	#5
Jim Cimarolli Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sulphur Springs Texas Posts: 742 Likes: 146 Liked 166 Times in 46 Posts	Re: Nova wheel backspace I use a Hoosier radial with a 10 inch rim that has 6 inches of backspacing. My rear end overall width from axle flange to axle flange is 60.5 inches, everything will just make it with that combo. Of course you have to trim the inner lip of the fender and lightly fold the front trailing edge of the lower part of the wheel opening.

07-14-2010, 03:57 PM	#6
Stkracer23 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 11 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Nova wheel backspace Thanks alot guys I appreciate all the information! Now I have to decide between the 8 or 10 inch wheel.

07-15-2010, 09:08 AM	#7
Grant Eldridge Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 124 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Nova wheel backspace On my 1970 Nova, a 5.5" bs 10" rim worked, but as above you'll need to roll the lip of the wheel opening, and also hammer in the closest points on the inner wheelhouse. Unfortunately, I can't tell you the exact width of the rear end from memory, when we built the car we started with a wider 12 bolt and narrowed it to the Nova, changed the perches etc. I do know that it is tight, just makes it with the 9" x 30" radial section widths after all the massaging of the inner with a sledge hammer. Of course, an 8" rim with a 4.5"bs is a bit easier as it reduces the section width, but we felt the 10" was the way to go. Be ideal if you could borrow a set for fitting it up before you buy a set....

07-15-2010, 09:40 AM	#8
Danny Ashley Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Marion,In. Posts: 267 Likes: 60 Liked 110 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Nova wheel backspace Hi Josh - My friend Mike McDonald runs a 69 Nova 350-255 . If this is the engine you plan to run he has one for sale at a good price and he can also tell you about wheel spacing. I had his car here over the winter and he has no issues with clearence. Buying a proven engine from someone who runs the same car as you will speed your learning curve tremendously. He can help you get in the ballpark in all aspects of your car. His cell is 812-677-1097.

07-15-2010, 01:02 PM	#9
Stkracer23 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 11 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Nova wheel backspace I thank you for all the information! This really helps alot. Im not sure if Im going with a big or small block yet. But I agree Danny a proven tested combo would definately help get me started. Im leaning toward a big block stick car. But ill have to see what's available. Id like to find a good used big block engine and jerico trans. Thanks again guys!