Need mo rubber!

[jbone240]

Does anyone know if it's possible to put a 16x8 wheel with wider than 225's on a 240 with stock, rolled fenders, and coil-overs? If so, maybe you could provide some details and dimensions.

I use the car for autocross ( SCCA SM2 )

I hate to use the measuring method because it seems difficult to calculate suspension travel. Also I would hate to find out the expensive way, that the combo rubs. I would much rather talk to someone who has tried and trued something.

PLEASE HELP.

Thanks.

Justin Bowen.

[gnosez]

I have used 16X8 wheels w/zero off-set and 225X45X16 tires and don't rub or hit the coil-over. However I have always rolled the inner lip (not visible from the outside) by cutting it every 1/2 inch and then tapping it up. I applied silicone caulk to seal it.

A very simple test is to remove the spring and install the strut with the wheel/tire combo and jack the wheel up through its' range of motion. Be sure to leave the bump stop in place.

If you do hit then a solution I have on my current 240 (245X45X16) should work for you. It involves taking the vertical flat section of the wheelwell (about 1/2 inch) and rolling it out to make a flare. Grind the inner wheel, add a little bondo for the outer side and some fiberglass for the inner wheel area. Or you could just cut the well and bond on some flares. Hope this helps.

[gnosez]

Sorry - I forgot a major addition to stop the rubbing - camber plates! Brains not fully engaged today. This allows the wheels to travel upward into the wheelwell at a slight angle.

[jbone240]

Thanks for the help.

Removing the spring is a great idea with regard to measuring ( duh, why didn't i think of that )

As for flaring, the car I have is a pristine 1970 and I'm just not ready to do it to this car. I have rolled the inner fenders however, and camber plates will be on soon.

I was hoping I might be able to squeeze 245's in there by maybe playing with the wheel offset, and spring length, to allow the top edge of the rim to clear the the edge of the spring perch. ( I'm mostly refering to the rear ) Any thoughts?

Anyway... this is the problem with trying to go real fast with a nice street car. Once I figure out how to drive a little better, I'll think about a purpose built car.

Thanks again.

Justin

[260DET]

Another way of looking at this is that for competition use 225 is an excellent size on an 8" rim.