The big brakes/wheels/tires project is quite an adventure.

The beginning: My stock EMT tires needed to be replaced and I wanted bigger wheels/tires.

Next: To put bigger front wheels on, I had to get rid of the F45. Since the stock "shocks" needed to go, I decided to upgrade the entire suspension (bushings, engine mounts, transaxle mount, springs, anti-roll bars, and "shocks").

Next: Since I am getting new wheels, I wanted to make sure I get the ones that would work with big brakes, so I decided to do the brakes as well...

I had some issues with the 12.5" rear wheels being too big, so I am going w/ coil-overs to solve that last issue (at least, that's what I hope).

When I get my car all sorted out, I will take some photos and share.

The setup is,
10" front (285), 12.5" rear (335) Fikse FM/5.
Brembo front & rear, 14"x1.25" 2-piece rotors, 4-piston caliper.
JRZ "shocks", VB&P bushings, front T1 anti-roll bar, rear Z51 anti-roll bar.

From this project, I leared that,
LPE is awesome as always.
Fikse has incredible wheels, but the customer service exceeds all expectation.
Race Technologies (where the brakes are from) has impressive customer service.
Fordahl Motorsports (the shop doing all the work) has a lot of knowledge to make this possible.

I am sure a lot of you can related to how wanting new tires turns into a big project.

SlowC5

 

Big, big project! :smash:

The good news is you are doing it absolutely right! When it is completed it will look and ride super! Congrats! :cheers: :chevy :flag

 

Please keep us updated. :D

 

Congrats, it sounds like you are building a killer setup! I wish I could do the same, but it's going to have to wait until next year after the 422 is already in. :cry

I do have some questions though:

1. You mentioned 10" fronts and 12.5" rears FM/5's. Are they 17"F/18"R, 18"F/18"R, or 18"F/19"R?

2. What brand tires are you going with? Michelin Pilot Sports?

3. If you're going through all that trouble why not be done with it and just mini-tub it and get some 345's, instead of a 335? :) If you tub it, 345's should go on the 12.5" rears with flush mounted offsets instead of sticking out. Or will they?

4. Who suggested you do the Z51 rear sway and the front T1 sway bar? I have heard of this before, but was wondering why not do the T1 rear sway bar?

5. What kind of alignment specs have you been thinking about?

6. Are you changing the springs too? If so what are the spring rates?



[Modified by Godspeed, 10:56 AM 11/15/2001]

 

1. 18" front and rear. No good track tire for 19" was why I picked 18".

2. Michelins Pilot Sport is the street tire choice. Hoosier would be the track tire choice.

3. To get the front/rear height ratio, etc, etc, I went w/ the 335's.

4. The yellow TT that was tested recently in C&D has those anti-roll bar setup... I believe VB&P did the research and found that to be a good combo for the TT cars where there is about 85lbs of added weight in front.

5. I don't have the alignment specs handy, but I will have it corner weighed and re-aligned after the coil-overs and I will let you know.

6. Not completely sure what springs rates yet, probably 5??-6?? front and rear. When I get the car back, I can let you know.

Godspeed, you will have to remind me to give you the details though. :)

Power first, that's my believe. So, I completely agree with your 422 first approach. :yesnod:

 

I would love to have Brembos :cool: on my car but big $$$ considering I have not gone to the track many times. Any reason you went with the 12.5" rims? I just put the CCWs on my car with 11.5 rims and the F45 suspension; I need to keep it in performance mode for the best ride but have not had any issues. I was considering coil-overs from either DRM or BPP, please let me know what your ride quality is like!

When are you having anything everything installed????

 

Cool, good luck with it!

 

I wanted to fit as wide a tire as I can in the back, therefore the 12.5". I have the "mini-tub" in the car for the bigger wheels... Unfortunately, the wider tires are not helping straight line traction much. :(

Don't know what the ride quality is like w/ the coil-overs yet but I don't expect it to be any worse than the stiff leaf springs.

The ride is slightly stiffer than a stock 2001 Viper GTS if that helps the comparison...


[Modified by SlowC5, 3:41 AM 11/17/2001]

 

Mike,

If you turn the BOOST down the tires will hook up a little better. They are much wider than stock and look great. I had the same problem with 12 1/2in wheels and had to go with a 12in wheel.

Good luck with your project. Will give you a shout when I get the new clutch installed.

Could this be the beginning of a major project?????

Bill :cheers:

 

Bill,

Are you saying you have more than the clutch in mind? :D

 

Mike,

No, just having the clutch done. I was referring to your project. Goog luck with it.....Bill

:)