I plan on getting a 9" rear end with a 28x9" ET Drag on a 15x8" or 15x9" Draglite rim. I just bought Cal Tracs and split mono-leaf springs. -What width rear end should I order (axle to axle)? -Backspacing with 8" rim can be 3.5, 4,5 or 5.5". Backspacing with 9" rim can be 5.5". Should I get 8" or 9"? Which backspacing? -Which tire is best for all out drag racing: ET Drags, Hoosier's, ET Streets or ET Street Radial's? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
My wheels are 15x8 with 4.5 bs. I had a 9" cut to 56 3/4" mounting surface to mounting surface. Fits great.
If you don't have the wheels already then I suggest using a 15x10 with a 9" slick. It will help spread the contact patch a little wider. On the rear end...I concur with Mavaholic. 56 3/4 seems to be about right with that setup.
Erick, I narrowed my 9" to the original Comet width (originlly used the 8" axles) using 15x8 Centerlines. I would have to check the back spacing, but I know it's common, the wheel dosen't look narrow. Rest of my combo is 26x9 Hoosiers, mini tubs, stock frame rail location, with the wheelwell lip trimmed. I retained the rear seat belts and the tires are close to the belt mount, keeping the tire diameter short was neccesary. I'll measure the back spacing if you'd like. _________________________________________Rocky
Thank you guys. Mavaholic: You have 26x9 tires right? You tried 28" and they rubbed right? Rocky: I didn't realize you had mini-tubs. Do you think 28x9's would fit if your car had more of a stock ride height in the back? With my current 26.1" tall x 8.8" wide DR tires I still have about 2.25" diameter clearance and 1.5" width clearance. I wonder if I should get my rims and tires first and mock them up to get the rear end width or get the rearend and then figure out the tire/rim size that will fit???
My street tires are 255r60x15. I'm not sure what they equate to inch wise, but they are taller than the 26x10 slicks that I have run on it. Neither tire has any rubbing issues.
Hey Erick, I have some experience at this. you said it right. Decide on what wheels and tire will fit the body and spring location. buy them, and do your mock-up. Then there is no question if it will fit after you spend your money. Also Be able to tell them (currie?) if you want the pinion centered or offset. For drag racing it is better to have the pinion centered, but some are manufactred with them offset. I dont know about the maverick. They use it to get the driveline angularity to get rid of the harmonics of a spinning driveline, and to aid in u-joint life. Since the pinion on a 9inch is so low it might not even be an issue. just a thought. They are also going to want to know where to put the spring perches (width and angle to pinion). There is a guy here in Vista that does custom rears and chassis set-ups. He might be able to save you some bucks. His name is Doug Brown, his company is called CSD Engineering. Been in the business a long time, and VERY knowledgable. Hes narrowed 2 of mine, and did excellent work. Hope this helps. Your Friend, Ben
Erick, 28x9's would fit my car as it sits (rearend 3/4" from stops), 28x10's would be tight. The tires that sometimes rubbed as I described were 275R/60-15's on 15x7 Magnum wheels. I agree with BenC, buy your tires and wheels first. IMO I would run a 9" with aftermarket axles. I broke a stock axle using a mini spool, then replaced them with Mark Williams 35 spline axles and one of thier small bearing 35 spline spools. _______________________________Rocky
OK, I ended up getting 15x10" rims with 4.5" backspacing. I threw an old 26x10" ET Drag slick on one rim and they seem to fit perfect with the 8" rear end. There's a tiny bit more than 1/2" of space between the leaf spring and the tire. Is that enough space or should I get 1/8" more space on both sides, (56 3/4" width)? I want to be able to fit the 26x10 and a 28x9" slick. BTW, I put the 26x10 ET Drags on 15x8.5x3.5"BS Centerline rims and raced with them with no inner or outer rubbing problems. With the new 10" rims w/4.5" BS, the outer portion of the slick is tucked in under the wheel well about 1/8" more. Also, should I go 31 spline or 35 spline axles? There is about a 10-15 lb difference between the 2 and the 31 spline has more parts available. I'm thinking 35. Probably will never have a max RWHP of more than about 700HP after adding N2O. Thanks everyone!
i think the 8" will holdup ask steve moore CometGT1974 he ran his think it was 2 years ago he swaped it for a 9" with a auto car they will hold some power
i run moser 33 spline axles in my 9". the 35 spline axles they had required bigger bearings. i really wanted 31 spline axles but the 33's were the same price and there was (at that time) no guarantee on the 31's and the 33's had a 10 year guarantee. just another thing to check.
