I'm trying not to minitub

[q2quest]

I'd love to be able to squeeze 295/35/18 in the back of my 68 Camaro. I've seen it done on a 69 with some fender rolling, etc., but it was extremely tight. I'm not sure if the 68 has even less room. Is there any way to gain a little more clearance without going the total minitub route? The DSE kit is cool, but I want to keep my fuel tank and save some money.

[GBodyGMachine]

I am not sure about the 68. But a frame notch is what we have done on GBodies before. A hammer and dolly for the mini tubs after the notch is complete.

Jeff

[CarlC]

If you trim the flange on the outer wheelwell they will fit if you get the rim size and backspace dead on.

My friend John's car has this done, but it was performed when the bodywork was done since the wheelwell and quarterpanel must be welded together. If you want to use the stock wheelwell moldings they will have to be modified in some way to attach them, likely some type of adhesive.

[Y-TRY]

You should be able to do it, with the fender lip rolled. Here's mine with 285/17's. As you can see, there may be room for another 10mm towards the outside while remaining inside the fender. My inside rubbed under hard cornering but is pretty much fixed after taking a body hammer to the raised areas (now shiny from rubbing). But it will be running the line between cool and stink-bug stance.

You can gain some by massaging the wheelwell, but the leaf springs will rub the tire even if the well is widened. Offset hangers won't really work, either, without changing the fuel tank.

Click to see pic, too large to post on thread

[mikey]

What about a 4 link or something like fatmans wonder bar suspension? Then you might not need to narrow your tank. There's to much junk in the way to get a good look at my 69 so I'm not sure on the clearance issues (spring to wheel house).

[datsbad]

DSE 's quadralink does not require a new gas tank

[Y-TRY]

Wow, from under my car there looks like no way to move the springs while retaining the stock tank. The shackles are pretty much ON the tank. There is more clearance between the tire and frame than there is between the tires and springs. So you could fully tub it and still not go much wider because the tires would hit the springs.

[dougs68ss]

your wheel size and bs on your 68, can you tell me what your using? since im going to use the same......thanks. doug

[mikey]

Wow, from under my car there looks like no way to move the springs while retaining the stock tank. The shackles are pretty much ON the tank. There is more clearance between the tire and frame than there is between the tires and springs. So you could fully tub it and still not go much wider because the tires would hit the springs.

Yes but with a 4 link the suspension only goes to the rear axle unlike a leaf spring rear. You should be able to tuck the wheels in some because the leafs and shocks will move in board.

[Y-TRY]

your wheel size and bs on your 68, can you tell me what your using? since im going to use the same......thanks. doug

(I tried to reply to the PM, but it kicked back)

My measurments won't help much. My rearend housing is a bit wider then stock. But mine are 17x9.5 with 6.25" backspacing.

The fronts are 17x7 with 4" backspacing.




Ahhh. 4-link. That explains it!

[dougs68ss]

i was just trying to get that 285/40/17 on the rear with a17/9.5 with 5.75 bs i know i have some lip and inner wheel house issues , but ill work that out, ,,,,wadda think about my 245/45/17 with 17x8 5.00 bs on front?2'' drop all corners ..baer brakes, 13'' track all around. will the fronts stick out too much?... thanks for the info;; im thinking too much , ive been at the winternationals all weekend. nitro freeze(brain).......

[Y-TRY]

i was just trying to get that 285/40/17 on the rear with a17/9.5 with 5.75 bs i know i have some lip and inner wheel house issues , but ill work that out, ,,,,wadda think about my 245/45/17 with 17x8 5.00 bs on front?2'' drop all corners ..baer brakes, 13'' track all around. will the fronts stick out too much?... thanks for the info;; im thinking too much , ive been at the winternationals all weekend. nitro freeze(brain).......

That sounds good. I'd look at the height of the 245/45 though and make sure it doesn't have too much sidewall height. I'd even consider going .25" more backspacing. I'm looking at going to 8's in front and would do 8" with 5.25 backspacing just to allow for a bit more tuck and lower. The only thing that keeps my fronts from hitting is the camber. They are RIGHT THERE. (that pic was before alignment)

In the rear I have the Hotchkis springs and an additional 1" block. For fun, I have my own formula for tire-to-fender gap:

Tire's Aspect Ratio X (Sidewall Height) = Max Tire-to-Fender Gap

like this for a 285/40: .40 x ((285/25.4).40)= 1.795 MAX space between tire and fender. This follows the idea that, the shorter the tire, the closer the fender should be. So if you have a 285/30 the max gap should be 1.01". No matter the wheel diameter.

Just look at the trucks with 20's and short tires, that sit real high off the tire. Blah. They need my formula

[dougs68ss]

did you say you were using 245/45/17 front on 8'' rim? wheels i have are 5'' bs. info please,,,, thanks . also 2'' hotchkiss springs in front

[Y-TRY]

235/45 on 7" rim, 4" bs. If I go wider I will add an inch IN, not out, and maybe an additional 1/4" in

[dougs68ss]

its christmas today, ipicked up the wheels at the factory and had them mounted and ups brought the baer brakes....the285/4017 fit perfect (I cant get out of the garage) the look is totaly different from what it was. its a tight fit but it fills the wheel well just right, minor lip and inner fender well massage abit im happy! ill do the brakes this weekend ...thanks for the help....doug