Well this weekend was both exciting and a disappointment. Finally at the stage in my build where I can test fit wheels on the car before I order them (for custom BS). My goal was a 295 square setup, and with a 1" Dr Diff relocation in the rear, I was almost dead certain that the rear would be trouble free while I would have to compromise for a 275 up front.
Wheel specs and spacers I had available:
18 x 10.5 +38mm
2x 1 inch spacers
2x 3mm spacers
Let's start with the rear, we test fit the driver rear first. The wheel fits like a glove and I am feeling confident. Tried the passenger rear and tire hits the leaf. Wheel off, add a 3mm spacer, try again. Tire still hits the leaf. Wheel off and add another 3mm spacer. Tire still hits the leaf. Found a 1/4" spacer (I think) from a Camaro in the shop and tried that in place of the 2x 3mm spacers. Tire still hits the leaf. Add in the 2x 3mm spacers to the mix and guess what? The tire is still hitting the leaf.
There wasn't enough wheel stud at this point to add anymore spacers without moving to a 1" spacer that adds studs. I did not test fit because the clearance to the fender was already tight so I figured it was a waste of time.
At this point I was really disappointed/frustrated so we moved to the front. Surely I am going to be disappointed here too, right? Wrong! I was able to fit the 295 in just fine, with possibly enough room for a 315. What??? I've been stressing the front tire fitment for nothing? With a 1 inch spacer behind the wheel, from lock to lock I had three fingers of free space from the edge of the wheel to the frame on both sides. On my hand, that's 1 3/4" of space. There was about an inch of space from the outside of the wheel to the fender lips (not rolled).
Here's what I learned this morning after talking with the shop and giving him some numbers that I was able to pull off the web from the site: the axle is shifted about 3/4" to the driver's side. Keep in mind, I already had the shop weld new perches on when I did the 1" relocation. Its my fault for not telling them to make sure that it was centered under the car. So now I am wondering what to do. Here are my 3 options as I see it:
1. Run smaller tires (boooo!). The 275 out back just looks small.
2. Get the Dr. Diff 1.5" relocation kit. This will hit the rear valence since I have Hotchkis springs and create a dimple. My paint is likely to pop up and crack (it has done it on other spots of the car). I'm not sure if the paint could be color matched or what the added cost would be.
3. Buy either the RMS Street Lynx or the XV Stage 2 rear end. I think I need the 1.5" relocation kit for the RMS or weld in the brackets on the inside of the frame rail for more clearance?
Intended purpose is obviously for traction and the reason for a big tire up front is because I want good handling and because I can fit it. Can anyone give me some recommendations to get a 315 or a 295 minimum in the back?
