WELD Backspacing HELP

[gcwh02]

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]

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.

 

[sawbones25]

For comparison, here's mine with a 15x8 Draglite with a 4.5 inch backspace with 275/50 BFG drag radials.

 

[Dean85GT]

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]

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]

right on what times are you running sawbone?

 

[sawbones25]

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]

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]

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]

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....

Maybe they will come out with the XP Series again?

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

 

[90NotchBack]

Here is 15x8 with 5.5 backspacing with 275/50 M/T

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

 

[gcwh02]

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

 

[El_CUCUY]

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]

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]

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]

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.

+1

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

 

[thehueypilot]

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.

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]

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.