FWD tires/wheels?

Joe Toller · 02-02-2009, 12:50 AM

Ok, so I am going to start accumulating parts for my FWD Mopar project, but one thing I cannot find out is what to get for slicks size-wise, and should I go with a skinny rear tire? Also, I can find lightweight wheels from my autocross stuff, but is there a better option?

By the way, who all out here is a FWD racer? Getting a ton of help so far from Steve Polhill and Art Leong, who else is racing wrong-wheel-drive lol?

Dennis P Chapman · 02-02-2009, 07:18 AM

I am, use M/T for the slicks skinnys on the back.

Owen S Quirion · 02-02-2009, 09:34 AM

I have a FWD Stocker and also use the 20 inch tall M/T's. Dennis says the skinny tires make a difference on the rear but I have never tried them. I have a set of wheels if you need some.

Dave Gantz · 02-02-2009, 12:57 PM

Do you even need lightweight/skinny stuff if it's capable of running way under?

Rob Lloyd · 02-02-2009, 02:56 PM

It really depends on what final drive you run. I have the 3-speed auto with the 3.50 final drive and I run the MT 22 x 15's. I could probably swing the 24.5 X 15's if I switched to a 3.77 final drive.

I put skinnies on the rear last year and it didn't change anything ET-wise. Looks more like a race car now, though.

FWIW, you can make small-bolt Mopar wheels fit the FWD cars. I have small-bolt centerlines all the way around. They're probably the cheapest 'real' race wheel you can get. Not the lightest of course...

X-TECH MAN · 02-02-2009, 04:30 PM

Guys....I wouldnt go overboard with spending bucks on the FWD cars. Ive heard a rumor that the seperate FWD classes will be gone in 2010. If your racing one then it will fall into one of the regular lower stock classes against RWD cars. It came from a pretty good source..

Joe Toller · 02-02-2009, 08:14 PM

Good to know. I was curious about tire size for slicks, and since the car needs tires regardless, I was wondering if I should look for something skinny in back. Trust me, this car won't be high-buck. I'm researching the heck out of it, and not afraid to scour wrecking yards and ebay...

GarysZ24 · 02-03-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Guys....I wouldnt go overboard with spending bucks on the FWD cars. Ive heard a rumor that the seperate FWD classes will be gone in 2010. If your racing one then it will fall into one of the regular lower stock classes against RWD cars. It came from a pretty good source..

Oh really??? Well I'll just be looking forward to hooking up with a rwd V6 (like maybe I'd get to race "The Hawk")? I guess I better get busy find a few more hp, because he has a bit of an advantage on me..lol

btw, I run 20X8X14's on Cragar Aluminum wheels....I'd like to run the rear wheel/tire set-up that Steve runs, but while my car is finally competitive as it is (factory steel Cavalier wheels, on the narrow street tires), I'd rather spend any money I can accumulate on the entry fees and the travel expenses...that stuff can wait! BTW I have a 3.73 final drive thanks to the planetaries that were in the 4cyl J'cars with the Turbo 125 auto.

02-02-2009, 12:50 AM	#1
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	FWD tires/wheels? Ok, so I am going to start accumulating parts for my FWD Mopar project, but one thing I cannot find out is what to get for slicks size-wise, and should I go with a skinny rear tire? Also, I can find lightweight wheels from my autocross stuff, but is there a better option? By the way, who all out here is a FWD racer? Getting a ton of help so far from Steve Polhill and Art Leong, who else is racing wrong-wheel-drive lol?

02-02-2009, 07:18 AM	#2
Dennis P Chapman VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toms River NJ Posts: 1,594 Likes: 411 Liked 53 Times in 25 Posts	Re: FWD tires/wheels? I am, use M/T for the slicks skinnys on the back. __________________ Dennis P Chapman 1904 STK NHRA National Record Holder Car Owner.

02-02-2009, 09:34 AM	#3
Owen S Quirion Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Captiol District of New York Posts: 71 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: FWD tires/wheels? I have a FWD Stocker and also use the 20 inch tall M/T's. Dennis says the skinny tires make a difference on the rear but I have never tried them. I have a set of wheels if you need some. __________________ BF/S 1985 Grand Am 3.0 V6

02-02-2009, 12:57 PM	#4
Dave Gantz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Verrry South Jersey Posts: 537 Likes: 134 Liked 251 Times in 125 Posts	Re: FWD tires/wheels? Do you even need lightweight/skinny stuff if it's capable of running way under?

02-02-2009, 02:56 PM	#5
Rob Lloyd Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Whitmore Lake, MI Posts: 60 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: FWD tires/wheels? It really depends on what final drive you run. I have the 3-speed auto with the 3.50 final drive and I run the MT 22 x 15's. I could probably swing the 24.5 X 15's if I switched to a 3.77 final drive. I put skinnies on the rear last year and it didn't change anything ET-wise. Looks more like a race car now, though. FWIW, you can make small-bolt Mopar wheels fit the FWD cars. I have small-bolt centerlines all the way around. They're probably the cheapest 'real' race wheel you can get. Not the lightest of course... __________________ Rob Lloyd 3728 BF/S

02-02-2009, 04:30 PM	#6
X-TECH MAN Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 3,203 Likes: 1,047 Liked 235 Times in 110 Posts	Re: FWD tires/wheels? Guys....I wouldnt go overboard with spending bucks on the FWD cars. Ive heard a rumor that the seperate FWD classes will be gone in 2010. If your racing one then it will fall into one of the regular lower stock classes against RWD cars. It came from a pretty good source..

02-02-2009, 08:14 PM	#7
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: FWD tires/wheels? Good to know. I was curious about tire size for slicks, and since the car needs tires regardless, I was wondering if I should look for something skinny in back. Trust me, this car won't be high-buck. I'm researching the heck out of it, and not afraid to scour wrecking yards and ebay...