What's the widest rear wheel width we can run? I will be getting the Granny 8.8 rear pictured below. They told me they would not need the upper link because of this cradle and that would give me a extra 1-2" of backspace clearance. I'm also going to install fender flares (2-3" ones). I want to run custom offset 9" wheels. Do you think it will be possible?

 

Is that kit for widening the clearance or handling? Where did you find it also? I would think fender flares alone would widen the car enough with the right offset you could get some rather wide tires in there.

 

http://www.grannysspeedshop.com/

That kit is for having a rock solid rearend when ya got lot's of power. With the right suspension setup, it would also handle well (ie panhard bar, quality springs and shocks)

With 3" flares and the right offset, 9" wheels would fit

 

remind me this weekend. I just got another set of epsilons centerlock 15x9 I think. Its going to my RX-3 but I can test it just for you.

 

Oh ok cool.. what offset? You coming to Vegas again?

 

I know this has no bearing on your question, but that set-up looks real sexy! The beauty of the Ford 8.8 that you get alot of strength for a reasonable price and a much larger options of gear ratios, but all of you knew that anyways. I got an 8.8 w/ 3.55s and Trac-Loc out of a '88 TurboCoupe awaiting a new home under the lil' rX7.

 

You going to fab it yourself? Is the width the same as the 7?

 

My overall goal is to run 275/50/15 drag radials in the rear... Hope i can do it..

 

hey gonz u should be able to...i have a set of 275/50/15 BFGoodrich Drag comp T/A's on my 7 right now....not sure the offset but im using a set of Eplison 3 piece rims....i also have the widebody kit on the car....i donthave any tire rub and the tires actually are a little small on the rims.....i used to run 285/40/15 Pirelli Z's....but Pirelli stopped making the tires....

ps....give me a call at 910-546-6589 if u have any questions about the tires...ill try and get the offset 2day...even tho its raining......hope this helps

 

No it looks to be a bit wider, I will be narrowing down and duplicating all the factory mounting points to maintain the correct geometry. Going to have to get custom axles though (wish I was accurate enough to narrow some 31 splines off an Exploder) and will be using my 31 spline trac-loc out of a '98 Exploder that I rebuilt with extra clutches and my vented rear disks off a '01 mustang. This will match the 5 bolt pattern of the FC so I can use those front brakes and have a better selection of wheels to chose from. By doing this I also greatly increase my braking ability and all pieces are factory, making them readily available. I know some people think grannys is the devil, but I know when mine is completed it won't be able to touch that.

 

275/50/15 drag radials

GEEZZ.. I dont want that much traction!! I think mine would flip over backwards!! LOL

 

15x8 with 5.5" backspacing will go with no flares

I have 225/50s on mine.

 

235 is about the biggest you'll get under the guards without flares

 

This is where you scratch your head and ask yourself, should I have gone widebody? (lol im using a 275/40/17, on a 17x10 rim up front...)

But seriously, the grannies rear end looks like a killer setup and thats why I plan on running it as well. Have you already gotten yours? What suspension do you plan on running with it and what rear brake setup are you planning on using?

 

I haven't ordered it yet but I will in a month or so. Gonna go with some fender flars or might do a rear custom widebody.. Tryng to decide.. The granny rear is worth it to me.. complete bolt in (can't beat that). I just need some meat in the rear.. Spinning the tires in every gear gets sickening..

 

15X8 is the widest I would go. this is on epsilon centerlock with 4.75 backspace.








Anything wider than, it would loook funny without flares. here's a pix of RX-3 with a new set of epsilons

 

What size tire on the RX-3?

 

225/550/15

 

I notice on the 7 that we can have more backspacing on the wheels. probably another inch on this inside.. What do you think. I will get some wheels custom made for this.. Trying to get ideas for the widest wheel..

 

Wtih more backspace, you will loose the front lips. Maybe after SS9, I will look more into it. I have another set of eps that Im going to repo.

The RX-3 has a 5" lips

(PS: I can see Camocarl drooling right now )

 

on my wide body I got 13x10 inch and its not even the real wide wide body kit i have the lsd rear and ground control coilovers. why not a mini tub with a nice ladder bar susp. set up? also instead of splurging on the wide body kit a good body shop would be able to roll your rear quarters out 1 or 2 inches. or if u have some skills 13b rx3 i think his name is did it himself. OR you can come to Fla and buy my widebody shell that Im gonna be putting for sale. I will include the lsd rear end the 13 x 10s and the panhard kit for you also....just some ideas.-Erik

 

Any pics of your widebody kit?

 

I seriously hope your just wanting pictures of his car for interest sake. If you were to do all that work to your car, get to the final stages and swap cars.... Well to me it just makes no sense.

But getting a rear widebody kit may be in your best interests if you are planning on throwing that sick amount of power at the ground! There is only so much the car was meant for from the factory and your clearly pushing the car to its limits, so why not go all out?

 

I have decided I'm not going wide-body a while ago. I am going fender flares on all 4 fenders. The ZG ones probably. It will give me 2" of more space. I know i can get 8" with no issues.. 275/50/15 with the flares is the ultimate goal. If i have to do a mini-tub I will do that.. Trying to just gather the most info on this. I think it will make my decision much more accurate.

 

Before you go andmake a rash decision. Know that you will lose 40-80 rwhp with the 8.8 rearend. And it's about 100 lbs heavier... Slammed_GSL runs 15x9's in the rear with CP flares. 0 offset. I run 15x7's +7 with no flares, but it does rub unless rolled. We both run 225/50-15's Where on earth are there tire wider than 225 in 15"? I have yet to find any.