Im in the rearend stage of my project now and looking for a little input. Im gonna be running about 500 horse and need to get as much rubber on the pavement as possible. I have a few options, narrow the rearend a little, different backspacing on the rims, relocating sping hangers etc. I do not want to tub or even mini tub this car, but I dont want to burn the tires all the way down the 1/4 either. I was thinking that I could narrow the rear end and relocate the springs inward to stuff the most tire possible?? I was wondering if I could just get a different offset on the rims and relocate the springs inward without narrowing the rearend to acheive this? Also in doing this would the rims look weird in doing this offset? Im going with a torquethrust II style wheel. Or should I just forget all this and go with a 4 link setup? All I want is as much rubber on the pavement which now it looks to be 265-60-15 im lookin to put 17-18in wheels on it as well.

Curtis...

Year of car?

I have a set of Billet offset shackles if you want them (Speedtech) 200$ brand new, never took out of box. (shipping error, i wanted sub-f Bushings!)

About size of tires, year is really imortant because of fender radius and also car height.

i had a '67 with 31x14 MT's on 15x12 with 7.5 in of BS with mini tubs and notched stock rails and car to the ground...you can still fit MONDO tires without tubbing. Remember, first thing to hit tires is the leaf spring....

Lead.

If you get a lot of backspacing on the wheels they will still look like normal wheels from the outside. The outer dish will be the same, you will just be extending it inward. This would be easier than narrowing the rear end. You will need to relocate the shocks and probbly the springs too.

Thanks for the info, and sorry I forgot to mention the car is a 67. I have been looking into a 4-link setup with minitubs but I dunno Ive also looked at DSE's minitub kit, but with that kit should I narrow the rearend? The whole thing is junk and needs rebuilding anyways.

Another thing, I don't know how wide you're planning on going but if you go with a 305ish tire on the rear or bigger...you will need to "notch" the frame. That DSE kit from what I've heard will allow a 345 rear tire where as if you stick with offset shackles and leafs, you can go to a 335.
Donnie

Yes, I am planning on buying the mini tub kit from DSE. I think they claim a 335 tire with the kit and I think it comes with everything you need to complete the job including notching the frame rail. After doing this am I or should I narrow the rearend? Or can I stick with the stock width and achieve the look and width I want? The rearend is shot anyways and a 8.2 at that so im gonna search for a bigger 10 bolt or 12 and have it gone through.

Curtis,
You could probably do it either way you want, the key to it is going to be getting the correct backspacing on your wheels...it just comes down to if you want a bigger "dish" on the rear wheels then you could probably narrow the rear-end a little bit and run less backspacing.
Donnie

BY the way a little FYI, when you install the DSE kit moving the rear springs inboard and installing the bigger wheel housings, that IS a mini tub. Don't forget that you'll either need to put a fuel cell in the trunk or have a stock gas tank narrowed to fit.

After doing the mini tubs you need to buy the wheels and tires that you will be running. After you have the wheels and tires then you make your measurements for the rear end width. Don't try to narrow the rear end first and then buy wheels and tires to fit. Decide on what size wheels and tires you want and order them with the backspacing that you like best. Then cut the rear end to fit them.

When you have the wheels and tires you need to position them under the car where they will be running. Measure the distance from the mounting flange on the back of both wheels and this will be your total width on the rear end. Then have someone build the rear end to fit. Don't forget to allow for the thickness of disc brake rotors or drums.

:thumbsup:

VERY GOOD ADVICES!



Lead

Thanks for all the info!!!!!!!!!!!:hurray: