How much room do I need

[Sartren]

Hey guys, I'm building 69 nova. It has been mini tubbed and it has a full speed tech suspension. How much wheel well space do I need to run a 13.5 inch wide tire without rubbing the frame or qtr. panel? I am also doing new qtrs. and outer wheel houses so I can pull them out if need be to get the depth I need. Thanks.

[MarkM66]

At least 1/2" on both sides or the tire, minimum.

After you've got the quarters on, get some measurements.

[Sartren]

alright, Thanks.

[Matt@BOS]

It wouldn't be a bad idea to buy a tire for mock up. Without the actual tire fit in the wheel well it will still be possible to provide enough clearance in some spots, but not in others. Also it is always hard to tell where exactly to measure from to get an accurate number.

[FETorino]

Originally Posted by Matt.A

It wouldn't be a bad idea to buy a tire for mock up. Without the actual tire fit in the wheel well it will still be possible to provide enough clearance in some spots, but not in others. Also it is always hard to tell where exactly to measure from to get an accurate number.

I'd take Matt's advice on this one especially since you are spending a bunch of time and $$ on mods to get the size and look you want. each car is it's own adventure fitting parts and every different suspension set up adds some variables.

The actual tire you want to run plus a wheel fit tool get's you a good look at what can or can't fit. I think somebody in the classifieds is renting their wheel fit tool out.



Another good option is grabbing a C5 or C6 take off. I bought a set of rollers for less than the price of a new tire. Get one with curb rash for cheap off CL.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rd...897572183.html

C5 (coupe/vert):
Front 17x8.5", 58mm offset = 7.03" backspace
Rear 18x9.5" 65mm offset = 7.81" backspace

C5 Z06:
Front 17x9.5", 54mm offset = 7.38" backspace
Rear 18x10,5", 58mm offset = 8.03" backspace

C6 (coupe/vert):
Front 18x8.5", 56mm offset = 7.45" backspace
Rear 19x10", 79mm offset = 8.61" backspace

C6 Z06:
Front 18.9.5", 50mm offset = 7.22" backspace
Rear 19x12", 59mm offset = 8.82" backspace


One of those and a straight edge will give you some great reference points for clearance.

You want to run your rear suspension through full articulation. Both sides fully compressed and more importantly one side compressed and the other extended.

This is where having an actual wheel like the vette wheel would be handy. As each side compresses (with the other side extending) the inside top of the tire moves inward and that is your clearance issue, the inside.

With the drooping or extended side the issue is the opposite the top outside of the tire moves outward towards the wheelwell lip. Fortunately as it's moving down and the body up clearance gets created.

Remember even with a panhard there is give in the bushings so the whole rear is moving a bit, or actually the body is moving to the outside of the corner as the tires fight to hold on, so that inside top during compression gets even more critical.

You probably don't want more that 7" of BS if you are looking for a deep dish look so I'd say grabbing one of the smaller front wheels may give you a better measuring tool. As an example you can take 2 pieces of 2x4 and cut it the height of the tire you want to use in the rear say 26" for a 325 30 18. Lay that across the face of the Vette wheel (centered) and you've added 3" width at the height of the tire or 12.5" overall ad a piece of 1x on top and you are at 13.25" (a 8.5" wheel is actually 9.5" outside to outside) at the height of the tire you want. Rotate the wheel around and see if you have clearance. It may look hillbilly but it tells you what you are in for.

You can do this with any material you know the thickness of the material. Lumber or PVC pipe are two cheap and easy to cut things you probably have lying around.

JMO

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by Sartren

Hey guys, I'm building 69 nova. It has been mini tubbed and it has a full speed tech suspension. How much wheel well space do I need to run a 13.5 inch wide tire without rubbing the frame or qtr. panel? I am also doing new qtrs. and outer wheel houses so I can pull them out if need be to get the depth I need. Thanks.

I have played with a few nova's in the past and it's going to take a bit to fit 13.5's on it .
Are the tubs in already?
What side rim? 15's,18's 20's?

[Sartren]

Thanks guys. There's more to consider than I first thought. Yes the tubs are in and the outer wheel tub is screwed in place. I will run an 18 or 19 wheel in the rear. I guess I'll look into some mockup tires at this point, but I probably wont get back to working on the car till the fall.