18 or 19" tire options for notched frame

[Ace Burt]

When we measured it out the number was 3.5 to 4”. Split the difference at 3.75 (my bad, that’s the real number). I can roll and even “stretch” fenders outward but I can’t move anything inward. Time will tell.

FYI, nothing on the front end of the car is stock. It has drop spindles, wilwood hubs and brakes and QA1 coil overs as well.

 

[scoti]

When we measured it out the number was 3.5 to 4”. Split the difference at 3.75 (my bad, that’s the real number). I can roll and even “stretch” fenders outward but I can’t move anything inward. Time will tell.

FYI, nothing on the front end of the car is stock. It has drop spindles, wilwood hubs and brakes and QA1 coil overs as well.

El Camino's & Malibu's share the same plastic inner fender wells as far as I remember from the ones I owned previously. Those plastic inner wells attach to the outer fender lip. Not sure how much that combo (plastic inner attached to the steel outer lip) can be pushed out. I don't recall those hubs reducing track width so my concern would be clearance @ the outer edge & why I would opt for increasing the back space.

Ultimately, it will depend on the vehicles final ride height as a 26.6" tall tire up front is going to need some space to travel w/o contact.

 

[Ace Burt]

El Camino's & Malibu's share the same plastic inner fender wells as far as I remember from the ones I owned previously. Those plastic inner wells attach to the outer fender lip. Not sure how much that combo (plastic inner attached to the steel outer lip) can be pushed out. I don't recall those hubs reducing track width so my concern would be clearance @ the outer edge & why I would opt for increasing the back space.

Ultimately, it will depend on the vehicles final ride height as a 26.6" tall tire up front is going to need some space to travel w/o contact.

All very good points. As I said, too late to change the wheels. At this point if it hits and we can’t fix it working on the fender or wheel well I will go to a narrower tire. Tires are $250 each and wheels are $850 each. I can sell the tires but not the “one off”wheels. As I said, when we measured it those were the numbers. We did the mock up for ride height, etc. with 225/75/15 (28.3”) tire on it. Here is a pic as it sat when measurements were taken.

 

[scoti]

All very good points. As I said, too late to change the wheels. At this point if it hits and we can’t fix it working on the fender or wheel well I will go to a narrower tire. Tires are $250 each and wheels are $850 each. I can sell the tires but not the “one off” wheels. As I said, when we measured it those were the numbers. We did the mock up for ride height, etc. with 225/75/15 (28.3”) tire on it. Here is a pic as it sat when measurements were taken.

Is that before or after the modded suspension?

 

[Ace Burt]

Is that before or after the modded suspension?

After

 

[scoti]

After

The variance of these cars just amazes me.

 

[Ace Burt]

The variance of these cars just amazes me.

When we notched the frame and put the rear end set up in we were able to work out an almost 3/4” variance between the hub to wheel well measurement it had before we pulled the body to work on the notch and frame. We did all the frame work while it was on jig so we could try and keep it as straight as possible with all the cutting and welding. Your right, there is big differences not only between cars but within them as well.

 

[scoti]

When we notched the frame and put the rear end set up in we were able to work out an almost 3/4” variance between the hub to wheel well measurement it had before we pulled the body to work on the notch and frame. We did all the frame work while it was on jig so we could try and keep it as straight as possible with all the cutting and welding. Your right, there is big differences not only between cars but within them as well.

Agreed.

There's no way an 8"/3.75BS wheel w/a 26.5" tall front tire would fit under my 78 (even w/just the drop spindles/2" drop total). For reference, I'm acquiring parts for the Round #2 mods. My plan is to remove the 2" spindles for 1" spindles & PBR/C6 big brakes. I measured my current set-up & can squeeze an 8" wheel w/5-5.25" BS (I mounted an 18x8 wheel w/5"BS for checking clearances). With a shorter tire than your combo (25.5-25.7") I'll still need to modify/fabricate new, taller, front inner fender wells that also allow more clearance toward the fender lip vs what the plastic wells allow.

 

[Ace Burt]

Agreed.

There's no way an 8"/3.75BS wheel w/a 26.5" tall front tire would fit under my 78 (even w/just the drop spindles/2" drop total). For reference, I'm acquiring parts for the Round #2 mods. My plan is to remove the 2" spindles for 1" spindles & PBR/C6 big brakes. I measured my current set-up & can squeeze an 8" wheel w/5-5.25" BS (I mounted an 18x8 wheel w/5"BS for checking clearances). With a shorter tire than your combo (25.5-25.7") I'll still need to modify/fabricate new, taller, front inner fender wells that also allow more clearance toward the fender lip vs what the plastic wells allow.

The adjustable coil overs have made the stance in the pic possible. I had to crank them up almost an inch to get where it’s at. From that position I can prolly go up one more inch or down 2-2.5” by cranking the springs up or down. It’s going to start getting stiff if I go up anymore than that. I can adjust compression a bit but it’s going to take a different spring to go up much more and still ride decently.

 

[scoti]

The adjustable coil overs have made the stance in the pic possible. I had to crank them up almost an inch to get where it’s at. From that position I can prolly go up one more inch or down 2-2.5” by cranking the springs up or down. It’s going to start getting stiff if I go up anymore than that. I can adjust compression a bit but it’s going to take a different spring to go up much more and still ride decently.

What is the current spring/shock stroke (lengths/rate) you're set-up is starting with?