Testing the waters for 18s
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 555
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From: Blairsville, GA
Testing the waters for 18s I tried searching with no luck... so there. 
I'm not real fond of the cavernous space all around the stock wheels on our WS6. I've pondered lowering it a little, but don't want to deal with clearance issues later on after headers, duals, etc. So I'm thinking more about just filling that space with more wheel and tire, like 18" wheels and keeping the 275/40 tire. Anyone done this with good results? Post pics if you have'em, I'd appreciate it.
I'm not real fond of the cavernous space all around the stock wheels on our WS6. I've pondered lowering it a little, but don't want to deal with clearance issues later on after headers, duals, etc. So I'm thinking more about just filling that space with more wheel and tire, like 18" wheels and keeping the 275/40 tire. Anyone done this with good results? Post pics if you have'em, I'd appreciate it.
To fill more you will need a taller tire than 275 even running with 18. If you do go with a taller tire your speed readings will be off unless you recalibrate for the new tires. For the look you want you will need to eventually drop it. A 1" drop could get you the look you want without sacrificing clearance. Then add the wheels/tires of your choice!
Just my $.02!
Just my $.02!
You could do it but you would be increasing the overall tire diameter which really isn't a good thing. Throws off speed and screws with your gear ratio. Some 18's with a lower profile to keep the diameter the same would just accentuate the gap and make it look worse. Lowering is really the only way to effectively get the stance you're looking for. You can still lower and have headers, just get a good set of headers that offer good clearance and don't go crazy on the lowering. You could even do it with the stock wheel and tire combination and it will look kick ***! Ground-control has a reasonably priced coil-over kit which I have and it's pretty nice. You can get any drop you want. Slam it on your stock wheels and later when you get headers you could raise it enough to keep you out of trouble with clearance. You can easily customize your ride height for the best of both worlds.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Blairsville, GA
Blackhawk, you could more or less compare tire diameters with each other. What I do is take the tire diameter and multiply by pi(3.1416), and divide that number by 5280, giving me the wheel rpm at 60 mph. then multiply by the axle ratio, and by the .5 6th gear to get engine rpm.
Joblo, I've tinkered with numbers like what you're saying, and I don't mind the effects on the speedo... if this goes down, it'll be done right about time to tune for headers, LS6 intake, cam, etc. so I'll just adjust the speedo then. As for lowering, thanks for the info. I just get paraniod when I see pics on here and eBay of headers that are scraped all to crap from being on a lowered F-body. But if 1" drop can still keep headers up high, then that may be what I do. I just want to fill the gap. I just worried about the combo I mentioned making the car look goofy by raising the ride height. You may have just changed my mind, bud.
Joblo, I've tinkered with numbers like what you're saying, and I don't mind the effects on the speedo... if this goes down, it'll be done right about time to tune for headers, LS6 intake, cam, etc. so I'll just adjust the speedo then. As for lowering, thanks for the info. I just get paraniod when I see pics on here and eBay of headers that are scraped all to crap from being on a lowered F-body. But if 1" drop can still keep headers up high, then that may be what I do. I just want to fill the gap. I just worried about the combo I mentioned making the car look goofy by raising the ride height. You may have just changed my mind, bud.
I can't believe people still worry about header clearance...
http://home.neb.rr.com/soulburner/My.../Duals%201.jpg
http://home.neb.rr.com/soulburner/My.../Duals%201.jpg
I just put on 275/40-18s, here's a pic of the wheel gap. Sides look good but still a big gap on top. I just got some Hotchkis springs that I need to put in, should drop it 1" and be just right.
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I personally feel that Koni shocks on the lower perch and rear isolators removed can be a good compromise. I have that set up currently on my car and although it is not as low as i would like i feel it is a good compromise. My clearance is as good as BLACKHAWK T/A's with my TSP true duals and pacesetter's. I have only scrapped once going over a speed bump and not slowing down. I wanted to test my limits I guess. But if i slow down then there are no problems. Sometimes the more wheel and tire idea can look worse than being 4x4 in my opinion but at least the ride will be better with more tire.
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Originally Posted by Jon2kZ
I just put on 275/40-18s, here's a pic of the wheel gap. Sides look good but still a big gap on top. I just got some Hotchkis springs that I need to put in, should drop it 1" and be just right.
See what I mean Ric? Ya gotta slam it!