Challenger owners, can you please measure your wheel tub?

[808cuda]

Doing some research on the largest tires I can fit on a '71 Cuda.

The measurement I would like is top dead center over the rear tire between the inner wheelhouse and quarter panel edge lip (the edge that would cut the tire sidewall if it is too close). If you can also measure your quarter panel edge lip that would be great.

My curiousity is to see how (if at all) much wider is a Challenger wheel tub is compared to a cuda. I measured on two of my Cuda's and came up with 13.5" and have a 1" quarter panel lip.

Many thanks in advance for all the help 

[HP2]

XV has fit a 335 tire in a stock wheel tub with relocated suspension points. There are members here who have 315s with spring relocation. There are quite a few 295 with no mods at all, just careful wheel selection.

[808cuda]

HP2, thanks for chiming in 

I am very familiar with XV's Chally with 335's, that is why I am asking for the dimension of Challenger wheel tub.
Always read Challenger's tubs are supposedly larger, but I want to see if it is true or not.
My intentions are to fit a 335 in a '71 Cuda without tubbing it. Seems to be possible.

Thanks!

[MoparCar]

My 71 Challenger is an even 14" from the inside wheel tub to the outer "lip" (the inside portion that would touch the tire). The actual outer lip where the chrome trim would screw to if optioned is an additional 1". This is measured at the centerline of the axle and actually at the fender lip location not up into the wheel tub. If you need a picture let me know.

Wes

[808cuda]

Hey Wes! 
Those are the exact specs I was looking for 
Thanks so much for taking the time to measure and post them up.

So the Challenger has a 1/2" advantage over the 'Cuda. Both of my Cuda's ('71 and '70) measured 13.5" and the quarter lip measured 1".

Thanks again! 

Gil

[Travis72]

Just FYI, but I mocked up a 335/30/18 on the back of my 72 Cuda and I basically had to wedge it in there to fit with the stock wheel lip.  So on my car, just cutting or rolling the lip would not have given me sufficient clearance (however I realize there are dimensional differences from each car due to factory tolerances).  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from when I did that.....       Sorry.

Travis
72 Cuda

[808cuda]

Travis,

Thanks for sharing your findings 

That is the tire size I will be fitting out back, 335/30/18's Pilot Sports.
According to their specs, it measures 13.5" section width on a 12" rim.
Speaking to another gentleman who had them mounted on a 12" wheels sent me pictures where they actually measured 13.25".

I am sure your findings is accurate and similar if not same as mine. I measured 13.5" tub to fender lip. Lip measures a hair over 1" meaning a total of approx. 14.5" with the lip rolled. Giving just about 1" of space to play with.
If I can get the backspacing just right (FIKSE wheels in the plan), I have 1/2" for each side. The car is also not painted yet so I have back-up ideas, such as stretching the quarter bit (without making it noticeable) or worse comes worse mini-tub the car.

335's make the car look killer and is a must/high priority in the build of my car 

Thanks again! 

[MoparCar]

How is the width/height affected up in the wheel tub where the rounded corners come into play? 335's are a goal for my Challenger too! I don't want any interference at any point in suspension travel or cornering hard either but I've got to mock this up also. If I have any concerns I'd have to bite the bullet like Travis72 did on his mini tubbed Cuda. His resto thread has some great pictures of the mini tub job.

Thanks, Wes

[808cuda]

hey Wes,

I have the  same questions myself.

I'll know more soon once we get this 335 placed in the tub area. My guess is it should fit but the offset has to be spot on. I am guessing this because Xv has done this with their Challenger, but it may have a 1/2" advantage. I should know more soon. I'll take a look at Travis' mini-tub. Thanks for the lead.

Gil

[Travis72]

Gil,

Are you doing the Air Ride 4-bar?  The main interference is the suspension.  When I stuffed that 335 in the wheel well I had pulled the leaf spring completely off.  So keep in mind that even with the Air Ride you'll have the lower bars to deal with.  The Fikse wheels are nice in that you should be able to set the backspacing to whatever you want and be sure to measure both sides.

If you weren't in Hawaii with shipping so expensive, I'd ship you one of these 335/30/18s that I have so you could mock it up for yourself.

Travis
72 Cuda

[808cuda]

Hey Travis 

Thanks so much for the offer! Very much appreciated 

A few weeks ago I went ahead and bought a pair of Michelin Pilot Sports for $600 a pair. Too good to pass up and I knew I would be using them.

Actually, the car is is Ohio getting metal work done. The shop told me I am definitely going to need a mini-tub to do it right, so no biggie. Not really a purist and want something different. Besides, nothing makes a car look tougher than some big rollers out back 

As for the suspension out back, it is undecided yet. It'll depend on where the tire falls into place after the tubbing. I purchased a set of DrDiff (Cass Eslick's) 1.5" relo kit which should be enough. If not, I am sure there is room up front in the torque box to move it over some.
Ireally have my eyes on Time Machines 4-link coil-over with panhard rod. It is priced at very reasonable price of $1500. Only hang up is they designed it around a stock wheel tub limited 285 tire (as they told me). They plan to make a kit for 335's but it won't be a few months. I am crossing my fingers and hope to get their kit.
i totally understand about the lower bar interference. Thanks for the heads up. Seen it up close on the Arrington built 7.0L Hemi '71 Cuda. I've seen XV work around it by offsetting the arm.

Travis, would you happen to have some good shots of your Mini-tub? I'd like to send it to the shop so they can see how yours was done.
my e-mail is shaker340@hawaii.rr.com

I'l keep you posted on the final set-up.

Thanks!
Gil