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Author
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Topic: How wide of tire should I get ?
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-08-2004 05:39 PM
   
I'm getting a new set of rims 15x8 with 4.5" back spacing. How wide of tire should I get. I've heard that the wider the better for 60 foot times. Or to keep the tire as narrow has you can with traction for better times. I was thinking of some DOT radials. I now have 245-60-14 tires. They are 25" tall and the tread is 8" wide.
I can get a tire thats 10" overall width and 8" tread and 26" tall. Do you guys think that will be enough tire ?------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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capri man
Gearhead Posts: 7221
From: doerun, ga.
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 11-08-2004 06:56 PM
on slicks, they reccomend staying within about 1 inch of your rim width
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-08-2004 07:00 PM
Mike, is that the total width or just the tread width ?
I'll being using some kind of street legal tire. Lookins at the MT drag radials.------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1611
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 11-08-2004 07:01 PM
With your 3.40 gears, I would get a pair of 8x26-15 M/T ET Drag slicks, if you are going to race the car much. If you are going to be changing tires at the track anyways, to me it makes no sense in paying almost the same money for "compromise" tires. Get a real pair of slicks, you won`t regret it.------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed 10.20@130mph
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA M/Stock 302 5speed. [email protected]
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-08-2004 07:22 PM
Rory thanks, I can only get to the track about 2-3 times a year. I hope one day that will be more.  So a DOT tire would make running around town alittle more fun.  There is also a small low dollar track about 30mins from Reno, that I'd have to drive to and was trying to avoid changing tires out.I'm also changing the 3.40's for some 3.80's next summer I hope. I know the slicks are the best. I guess I want the next best thing, that I drive to and from the track.
I do have some 8x26x14 M/T ET Drag slicks now, just have to use.
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SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics [This message has been edited by Fastymz (edited 11-08-2004).]
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Dubz
Gearhead Posts: 1888
From: Manitoba Canada
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 11-09-2004 12:49 AM
tub the car and fit some 33x15 in there i've heard that the drag radials are horrable for street wear, so you might be going though them like nothing. Not sure what that was compared to cause tires never seem to last long anyway  
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-09-2004 01:57 AM
What do you guys like, the widest tire you can get, or the most narrow one you can get enough traction with ?Will an 8" wide drag radial be enough tire for my setup ? Would a 10 wide be better and even fit ? ------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 2690
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 11-09-2004 08:16 AM
Scoop
I think that 4.5 Inch backspacing might put them too far out, but all my experience comes from my 68 (not the earlier body style)Just not sure how wide of a tire you can fit with that backspacing. My tires are 225 (about 9 inch) and thats as much as I can fit and I have less backspacing. Just thinking out loud. ------------------
'68 coupe, '66 289 C code
engine, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust http://www.geocities.com/ottouk_77/68mustang.htm
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bud4660
Gearhead Posts: 528
From: Mesquite, Tx. M&M #2925
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 11-09-2004 09:20 AM
Hey Scoop. I like to run as wide as I can fit under the car. But use a short tire so it doesnt raise the gear ratio numbers.
And this is whats on my 67. 29x18.5x15 M/T's on 15x16's wheels with 4:56 gears.....
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-09-2004 11:19 AM
quote:
Originally posted by bud4660:
And this is whats on my 67. 29x18.5x15 M/T's on 15x16's wheels with 4:56 gears.....
Show off 
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SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-09-2004 11:31 AM
quote:
Originally posted by indyphil:
Scoop
I think that 4.5 Inch backspacing might put them too far out, but all my experience comes from my 68 (not the earlier body style)Just not sure how wide of a tire you can fit with that backspacing. My tires are 225 (about 9 inch) and thats as much as I can fit and I have less backspacing. Just thinking out loud.
Phil, the more back spacing pushs the tire torawds the axle. My stock 14x7 rims have 4.25 back spacing and the new 15x8" have 4.5 back spacing. With my 245-60-14 tires now I still have a about 1/2"-3/4" before they would be pushed passed the fender.
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SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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TomP
Gearhead Posts: 6000
From: Delta BC Canada
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 11-09-2004 04:02 PM
ScooperThere isn't enough room for much bigger than an 8 x 26 or the "street size" equivalent they call 10.5 x 26. The 8" tread width is about as much as you'll comfortably fit in there if you plan to drive it on streets with bumps and stuff. If it were simply just for the track you can squeeze a bigger tire in but they'll rub on corners or with any passengers or load. The drag radials will be better than normal street tires but not as good as slicks.
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ekbeanctr
Gearhead Posts: 733
From: Middlebury, IN USA
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 11-09-2004 11:04 PM
Ron,
I have P255ZR40 17" on the back of my 65. BUT I have 5 1/2" back spacing. I would try to take it to the tire store and get them to put the widest tire on that will fit in your wheel well. I would guess that the more rubber you can get on the ground, the better that 351 is gonna come out of the hole. Not to mention that when somebody comes up behind you the wide tires will scare the h#@@ out of them. ------------------
Have a Wonderful Day
Red Fire Clearcoat 65 Fastback, 408W
[email protected]
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/ekbeanctr.html
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 2690
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 11-10-2004 08:47 AM
Your right Ron
I got confused. Its the 4.0 backspacing that wouldnt fit my car, and the 4.5 backspacing that I have now fits fine.------------------
'68 coupe, '66 289 C code
engine, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust http://www.geocities.com/ottouk_77/68mustang.htm
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1724
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-10-2004 09:37 AM
The 15x8" w/4.5" backspacing is great for the rear but may be pushing the limit on the front. The upper arm starts to get real close to the tire and may rub some wider sizes. I think the 16x8 or 17x8 with 4.5" BS is a better choice for wider front tires because the extra diameter moves the bulging tire up higher over the upper arm. If you plan to use them just in the rear, then the 15" w/4.5" BS is fine.
Whatever setup you choose, just mount one tire and check the fit all the way around the car before mounting and balancing a whole set. ------------------
1966 Mustang Coupe: Custom glass hood and BIG scoop sits atop a 289 stroked to 331 c.i., Steel crank, rods and girdle, TFS alum. heads, Stealth 8020 intake, Xtreme 268 Solid Roller, Holley 750 HP, long tubes, 4speed, 9" 3.50 posi.
11.86 @ 116 mph (7.62 @ 93 mph)daily driver!
DanH
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1724
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-10-2004 09:57 AM
BTW, If you've decided to use DOT tires, I highly recommend the MT 15x10.5x26 Sportsman Pros. They are very drivable, lots of soft sticky tread, wrinkle sidewall, and lasts 3 times longer than soft radials. Wide bias ply tires look really cool on the rear of Muscle cars to me! ------------------
1966 Mustang Coupe: Custom glass hood and BIG scoop sits atop a 289 stroked to 331 c.i., Steel crank, rods and girdle, TFS alum. heads, Stealth 8020 intake, Xtreme 268 Solid Roller, Holley 750 HP, long tubes, 4speed, 9" 3.50 posi.
11.86 @ 116 mph (7.62 @ 93 mph)daily driver!
DanH
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