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Wheels and TiresNeed help with wheels or tires? Got fitment issues? Have questions about tire performance and handling? Ask all of those questions here!
Well I am in the market for new wheels. I have decided to get rid of the Weld Draglites drag setup for taller wheels.
I have decide to go with US Mag Rambler U111 in 18's.
I am debating should I go for a staggered or square setup. My plans are for just a mild street car, no racing or track. Just a semi daily driver, nothing too aggressive.
I don't think I want to do a square setup with the 18x9.5. I could be happy with the 18x8 all around. I have thought about the staggered setup with wider in the back. I am looking at a 245/45-r18 in front am 275/40-r18 in back as a staggered setup. I know these tires are slightly taller than stock. I want to fill the wheel opening up, plus protect the wheels. I will be lowering the car, but no more than a inch.
Here is a pic of how the car is now. Keep in mind it is on a slope and the gas tank is near empty.
I say square - no reason to have a tiny 8" wheel on all 4 corners when you can have a 9.5 or 10" and have modern sized rubber on your car.
As I've said before, a stagger will introduce mechanical understeer automatically - front heavy car with a smaller front tire does that. The improvement will be better handling balance, more precise turn-in, better braking, more lateral g's, and the ability to rotate tires.
No reason to compromise performance only for looks - there is a slight 30mm visual difference between what a 245 looks like and a 275.
I say square - no reason to have a tiny 8" wheel on all 4 corners when you can have a 9.5 or 10" and have modern sized rubber on your car.
As I've said before, a stagger will introduce mechanical understeer automatically - front heavy car with a smaller front tire does that. The improvement will be better handling balance, more precise turn-in, better braking, more lateral g's, and the ability to rotate tires.
No reason to compromise performance only for looks - there is a slight 30mm visual difference between what a 245 looks like and a 275.
Am I going to have any clearance issues with the 18x9.5 with 5.25 +1mm backspacing? I am running stock disc/drum brakes at least for now.
Also, am I really going to notice that much difference between a 18x8 square setup vs a 18x9.5 square setup. I dont plan on doing any twistys or road courses.
If you drive like a grandma 100% of the time, you won't notice.
But if you drive in a spirited fashion on occasion and push the car more towards its limits, yes you should notice a difference.
Originally Posted by bluegrassz
Am I going to have any clearance issues with the 18x9.5 with 5.25 +1mm backspacing? I am running stock disc/drum brakes at least for now.
Also, am I really going to notice that much difference between a 18x8 square setup vs a 18x9.5 square setup. I dont plan on doing any twistys or road courses.
If you drive like a grandma 100% of the time, you won't notice.
But if you drive in a spirited fashion on occasion and push the car more towards its limits, yes you should notice a difference.
Well I don't drive like a grandma, but I don't try to push my car to the limits.
I have had the car setup for a street/strip with skinnys up front and no swaybar. So I don't push it in the curves. I have drove the car maybe 500 miles in the last 10 years. If it was back stock, I would be fine with that.
I just want to make it a cruiser again. I am swapping from carb to Holley Sniper EFI. Maybe back to a overdrive transmission from the TH350.
Given your engine mods, I would go with the wider wheels as your setup will likely roast even the best 245s.
And given the chassis of the thirdgens, I'd go square. 18x9.5 can be done on all four, especially with your car's ride height. I just went 17x9 square with 275s all around it it really woke the car up from a handling and braking perspective while not compromising the balance of the car. The car really enjoys the extra rubber up front.
Well I think I will purchase two 18x9.5 for the back and try one on the front. That way it will give me a good perspective of the look and fit.
So a 275/40-18 correct? That puts the tire around 26.7 in tall.
275/35/18 will be stock tire height (give or take a fraction of an inch). 275/40/18 will be about an inch taller than stock and may run the risk of rubbing, though your ride height is quite tall and it looks like you're already running upsized tires in the rear.
275/35/18 will be stock tire height (give or take a fraction of an inch). 275/40/18 will be about an inch taller than stock and may run the risk of rubbing, though your ride height is quite tall and it looks like you're already running upsized tires in the rear.
I am running a Hoosier QTP 26x9.5 on a 15x8 wheel on the rear. I was wondering if the 275/40-18 in front would rub. I will be removing the rear spring isolaters, so it should drop some in the back. Plus, like I said, the gas tank is almost empty in the pic.
I have those exact wheels on my car. I went with 4 18x8s but will have the rears widened. I was going to get a pair of 18x9.5s to put on the rear but don' like how far out they will sit. I prefer wheels tucked under the lip. Going to have the rears widened to 10.5" The wheels do look great on these cars.
I have those exact wheels on my car. I went with 4 18x8s but will have the rears widened. I was going to get a pair of 18x9.5s to put on the rear but don' like how far out they will sit. I prefer wheels tucked under the lip. Going to have the rears widened to 10.5" The wheels do look great on these cars.
Car hasnt seen the road yet. Still a unfinished project. Upgrades keep coming and mind changing also. Going to sell the tires and go with something wider.
