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WELD Backspacing HELP

  • Thread starter Thread starter gcwh02
  • Start date Start date Dec 11, 2006

gcwh02

New Member
Jun 20, 2005
515
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pottstown, PA
Dec 11, 2006
#1
  • Dec 11, 2006
  • #1
i plan on buying these draglites right now on ebay. Is a 4.5 inch backspace the correct backspace for my 89? thanks guys
 

Dean85GT

New Member
Nov 27, 2004
502
1
0
Thorold, Ontario, Canada
Dec 11, 2006
#2
  • Dec 11, 2006
  • #2
Most guys get the 5.5 inches of backspacing but I decided to opt for the 4.5. I like the lip that the rim has this way. With the 4.5 you cant run as big of a tire though because it will stick out. Here are mine with Hoosier QTP. The tires are 26inches tall, the side walls buldge out to 9.5 inches and the tread width is only 8 inches. That is why I can get them to tuck.



 

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sawbones25

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,318
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38
Virginia
Dec 11, 2006
#3
  • Dec 11, 2006
  • #3
For comparison, here's mine with a 15x8 Draglite with a 4.5 inch backspace with 275/50 BFG drag radials.

 

Dean85GT

New Member
Nov 27, 2004
502
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0
Thorold, Ontario, Canada
Dec 11, 2006
#4
  • Dec 11, 2006
  • #4
Those would rub like a bitch on my car. On launches my car squats hard and I even have to keep airbags out back because of it.
 

sawbones25

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,318
1
38
Virginia
Dec 11, 2006
#5
  • Dec 11, 2006
  • #5
I've got an airbag on that side and the lips are rolled. So far no rubbing...
I'm probably not leaving as hard as you also. My best 60' so far is a 1.7.
It does pull the front left tire several inches off the ground though...

Here's a hijacked photo...

 

gcwh02

New Member
Jun 20, 2005
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pottstown, PA
Dec 11, 2006
#6
  • Dec 11, 2006
  • #6
right on what times are you running sawbone?
 

sawbones25

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,318
1
38
Virginia
Dec 11, 2006
#7
  • Dec 11, 2006
  • #7
Slow...

Best so far is a 13.28 @ 103.5.
That's after installing a Cobra intake, GT40 heads with 1.7's, and retarding the cam 4 degrees. I didn't have time this season to test-n-tune it enough to get all the bugs worked out. It still needs a lot of fine tuning, etc... With this combo and pulling some more weight, I'm expecting (or hoping for) mid 12's.

Also I need to go through the trans this winter because it's shifting really stiff, and my clutch is slipping...

And it needs paint.
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Dec 12, 2006
#8
  • Dec 12, 2006
  • #8
Remember the proper backspacing is all dependent on the width of the wheel.

For an 8 inch wide wheel you should have a 5 inch backspacing, 9 would be 6 inches of backspacing.

Problem is that Weld no longer carries those backspacings in those sizes. I called Weld and they said there was not enough cars that needed these size BS for these wheels. Then they went Bankrupt go figure.....

They used to and is was called the Weld XP series.

I went through this when looking for wheels for my coupe. I ended up finding a set of Draglite XP's on closeout from Jegs that were 16 X 8.5 with a 5.5 inch BS which was perfect for an 8.5 inch wide wheel.

Here's how they fit with a 246-50-16 Nitto DR.



 

Rick 91GT

Mustang Master
Nov 29, 1999
9,692
95
99
PA
Dec 12, 2006
#9
  • Dec 12, 2006
  • #9
Like mentioned above by 04Sleeper 5.5" gets my vote as well for a 8" rim....

American Racing actually picked up all the Weld brand wheels....
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Dec 12, 2006
#10
  • Dec 12, 2006
  • #10
Rick 91GT said:
Like mentioned above by 04Sleeper 5.5" gets my vote as well for a 8" rim....

American Racing actually picked up all the Weld brand wheels....
Click to expand...

Maybe they will come out with the XP Series again?

How's it going Rick? Long time no talk.
 

90NotchBack

New Member
Feb 15, 2004
306
2
0
Loxahatchee/Pembroke Pines, FL
Dec 13, 2006
#11
  • Dec 13, 2006
  • #11
Here is 15x8 with 5.5 backspacing with 275/50 M/T





Here is 15x8 with 5.5 backspacing and 28x10.5


 

gcwh02

New Member
Jun 20, 2005
515
0
0
pottstown, PA
Dec 13, 2006
#12
  • Dec 13, 2006
  • #12
thanks a lot for the help guys.. I'm going to pass on the ebay offer and wait until I buy an 8 inch with 5.5 backspacing
 
E

El_CUCUY

Member
May 1, 2006
95
0
6
RGV
Dec 14, 2006
#13
  • Dec 14, 2006
  • #13
Cool i will be needing this info also......plus
this is a question for all you guys that have upgraded to bigger brakes up front or have done the 5 lug swap. I will be using the 10th Anniversary Cobra Brake

I will be doing this but dont know if i will have issue with clearance if i use either of these two wheels

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_10001_10002_15707_-1_36673

or

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_10001_10002_18503_-1_36661

thanks again for the info and i love the way the XP's on the that coupe look
 

thehueypilot

Active Member
Feb 25, 2004
1,084
0
37
Medina,Tennessee
Dec 14, 2006
#14
  • Dec 14, 2006
  • #14
Hey 90NotchBack,
Did you have to do any additional modifications to get the 28 inch tires under your coupe? I have 15 X 8.0 X 5.5 Weld rims and going to the Hoosier 28 X 10.5 Drag Radials and I am hoping they will fit w/o any mods.
 

90NotchBack

New Member
Feb 15, 2004
306
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Loxahatchee/Pembroke Pines, FL
Dec 14, 2006
#15
  • Dec 14, 2006
  • #15
I had to roll the fender lip because everytime I launch it would come down and cut the tire. I also had to beat the inner fender well mainly the front. I also running a small wheel spacer.
 

sawbones25

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,318
1
38
Virginia
Dec 14, 2006
#16
  • Dec 14, 2006
  • #16
90NotchBack said:
I had to roll the fender lip because everytime I launch it would come down and cut the tire. I also had to beat the inner fender well mainly the front. I also running a small wheel spacer.
Click to expand...

+1

Those are the standard mods for everyone I've talked to about fitting those tires and rims...
 

thehueypilot

Active Member
Feb 25, 2004
1,084
0
37
Medina,Tennessee
Dec 15, 2006
#17
  • Dec 15, 2006
  • #17
90NotchBack said:
I had to roll the fender lip because everytime I launch it would come down and cut the tire. I also had to beat the inner fender well mainly the front. I also running a small wheel spacer.
Click to expand...


I take it that the wheel spacer was used to move it away from the inner fender that you were beating on and which than moved it under the edge of the fender lip? Does this mean you must use a wheel spacer to get it to work? What is the thickness of your spacer?
 

90NotchBack

New Member
Feb 15, 2004
306
2
0
Loxahatchee/Pembroke Pines, FL
Dec 15, 2006
#18
  • Dec 15, 2006
  • #18
The spacer is 120 thousand of an Inch. It's not hard at all to make them fit. I good 15min. is all it would take.
 
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