Wheels - Backspacing and Width

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Old June 22nd, 2012, 12:32 AM
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Wheels - Backspacing and Width

Alright all you racer guys...what is the widest wheel you have put on your UN-TUBBED, STOCK REAREND cars? What backspacing?

Daddy got the money for some drag lites and I wanna be lazy and not measure anything out Not really, I just want to get a good idea of where to start.

I want to put 15X10's on the back and 15X5's on the front...I'm thinking I need 4.5" backspacing on the backs. Is this going to be too close to the fender w/ a 27" tire?
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Old June 22nd, 2012, 08:59 AM
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There are plenty of threads about this already. i think it came down to 305 tires on a 5.5" back space. do a search.
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Old June 22nd, 2012, 12:58 PM
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I have 15 x 10 5.5 back space with a 13.50 29.5 r15 on 70 cutlass stock rear and tubs very close!
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Old June 22nd, 2012, 03:32 PM
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On a 1966, 15x10 with 4.75" BS works. 15x8 works well with 4" BS. The former is a close fit for a 30x9 slick because it makes the section width about .3 to .4" wider in and out.
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Old June 22nd, 2012, 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Run to Rund
On a 1966, 15x10 with 4.75" BS works. 15x8 works well with 4" BS. The former is a close fit for a 30x9 slick because it makes the section width about .3 to .4" wider in and out.
Seems like it keeps coming back to getting offset as close to zero as possible.
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Old June 22nd, 2012, 11:14 PM
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Since the total wheel width includes two 1/2" flanges, an 8" wheel is centered with 4.5" BS. So, on a 66 I end up with +1/2" or +3/4" offset with the narrow axle housing (54.25" wide).
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Old June 23rd, 2012, 12:18 PM
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I've used 15x10" Welds 5.5" Back Space with 28x13.5 M/T ET Streets on a 71 fits tight on both sides but doesn't rub. 4.5" BS on 15x10 will stick out too far

Last edited by Qwik71442; June 23rd, 2012 at 12:22 PM.
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Old June 23rd, 2012, 05:20 PM
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I know it's come up, but never for a drag car. Its usually guys wanting street tires. I'm asking just what was answered, how big of a wheel & slick combo can I get w/ out tubs.

Thanks guys, so what I figure is 15X10 w/ 5.5" backspace, then to be on the safe side I'll run a 28X11.5" slick. That ought to look good and perform well.

Has anyone ever seen or used the Billet Specialty 5 spoke wheels? They look nice but I don't know how they compare to the drag lights as far as weight & strength.
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Old June 24th, 2012, 12:46 PM
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I have ran a 30x11.5 slick it rubs on the inside wheel well now i have the hoosier quick time pros 29x13.50 smaller section width just barely rubs. Next time i will go narrower ran a 9x 30 slick car hooked the same !
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Old June 24th, 2012, 11:28 PM
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I've got a set of American Racings Torque Thrust II's (10 x 15), w/ a set of 28 x 10.5 Mickey's (ET Drags) mounted on them. They are the wheels off our Ralleye Red car pictured in our signature pic.........just retired the car from its drag strip duties, so we won't be needing to hold onto them. If you know someone from Texas heading to Norwalk for Dick Miller race, maybe we can work out a deal if your interested.

Dave
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Old June 25th, 2012, 08:02 AM
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Bro.

You don't need that 11.5 slick with the car running the power you have and plan for. You will just make fitment probs for yourself. My W-30 stands the fronts in the air with a 9" Drag Radial and the 9-sec car uses 10.5 M/T Slicks. Concentrate on suspension and you can use less tire.

And Hotrod1442 is offering a sweet deal!!!

Danny
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Old June 25th, 2012, 10:19 PM
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Yeah, I thought about it after I wrote that...I remembered how much tire the 9-sec car has on it lol! I really just want to fill out the wheel well so the car looks good...I have this thing about skinny tires on a muscle car haha! If I could fit the 10.50 I'll go that route, and I know it's overkill but it still looks good.

Besides, now that I'm replacing head gaskets I will be taking the heads over to Nickens in the mawnin'...who know's what that's gonna run me, especially if I have the "special" work done hahaha!!! We'll see
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Old July 3rd, 2012, 03:35 AM
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Originally Posted by ah64pilot
Yeah, I thought about it after I wrote that...I remembered how much tire the 9-sec car has on it lol! I really just want to fill out the wheel well so the car looks good...I have this thing about skinny tires on a muscle car haha! If I could fit the 10.50 I'll go that route, and I know it's overkill but it still looks good.

Besides, now that I'm replacing head gaskets I will be taking the heads over to Nickens in the mawnin'...who know's what that's gonna run me, especially if I have the "special" work done hahaha!!! We'll see
I hear ya. Plus on these fastback 70-72 cutlasses the quarter bulges just scream to be filled by a big meaty drag radial hahaha, whether its necessary or not. I know when i finally get around to building mine im going to be putting a decent rake on it, sure it wont help anything, might even hurt it some, but i love the look so its gonna happen haha
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Old July 4th, 2012, 09:48 PM
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Like it's been said, stick to as close a 0 offset as possible.

I just scored, and I mean scored a set of Torq Thrust M's, silver wheel not chrome, 20 x 8.5 for my Delta with a zero offset.

I bought them because I got them for $99 a wheel

The really messed up part is, with the tires and wheel, they tip the scales at 56 lbs each, the same as my fronts weigh and 4 lbs lighter than the rears
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Old July 5th, 2012, 06:51 AM
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I would like to suggest useing Hoosiers over M/Ts. They seem to be more accurate with the dimensions on the side wall. Less balloning with a flatter contact patch.
I'm trying Drag Radials this year but My best Sixty was with 28 x 11.5 x 15 Hoosier Quick Time Pros at 13.5#s on a 15 x 8 Weld Rodlite with 4.5 inches of back spacing. Also ran tubes. Sixty was a 1.57 footbrake with a 3.42 gear.
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