Big Wheels
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Warriors Mark PA
Big Wheels
I have a 73 BB and am going to need traction when my frame off is finished i have been throwing around the idea of the off set trailing arms but when i looked at mine and then them i figured that just getting bigger rims (I was all ready going to get 18s or 19's) would make it up the arm far enough to put ten in wide rims and tires. Also I am doing some body work so if you guys think that it is worth it to get bigger fender flares .... or a wide body :D you imput is appriciated
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: Big Wheels (gilliland454)
Fender flares are "ok" in my book - just as long as they're smooth with the body and not overly exagerrated ! :crazy:
Nuttin' looks worse than fender flares that are just 'tacked' on like Bubba had an after-thought ! :eek: :jester
Nuttin' looks worse than fender flares that are just 'tacked' on like Bubba had an after-thought ! :eek: :jester
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Big Wheels (gilliland454)
Merlin's (Steve's) car is about the best example you'll find for a flared C3 :yesnod: . He too has offset t-arms with rear tires off a steamroller :D .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Re: Big Wheels (gilliland454)
I have 20" wheels all around. The wheels I have are American Racing Torque Thrust 2's. I have 8" wide wheels in front and 10" wide wheels at the back. I have 255/35/20 front tires and 285/30/20 rears. If you want to use 10" wheels at the rear and still keep them under the stock body lines, you'll need to get pair of offset trailing arms. I have 5.5" Back spacing at back and if I were to do it all again, I would order the wheels with 5.25" BS, this would be an ideal BS for stock body C3.
Here's a pic of my rear wheel in place:
I think you can find more pics of my car/wheels by doing a search on the archives. :cheers:
Here's a pic of my rear wheel in place:
I think you can find more pics of my car/wheels by doing a search on the archives. :cheers:
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Tempe AZ
Re: Big Wheels (gilliland454)
Got to love flares. I went the cheap route and just got new rubber for my old vintage wheels. I would love to get a set of 335/30 18x11" for the rear and some matching fronts but that is big $'s and will have to wait.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: Big Wheels (gilliland454)
If your looking for traction off the line, the smaller rims are actually better, there's not enough squat in the thin sidewalls to get much of a forward bite if you go much bigger then 17's. The thicker sidewalls will actually take some of the initial launching shock by squating down increasing your initial footprint. This is the reason you see drag cars slicks with such large sidewalls. If your trying to hold a big block in a straight line I wouldn't go any bigger then 17's and I'm pretty happy with my 16's in this reguard, or you may end up doing more smoke then acceleration.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
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