1971 cuda wheels and tires help

[frenza]

Hey guys I have a 1971 cuda with an 8 3/4 rear end. I need some help finding the biggest tire size i can fit without having to touch the quarters. I see alot of people saying you can fit 275 and some say you can't go more than 255. If I can run a 275 tire what off set and backing space would I need? I plan on putting 15x7 in the front and 15x8 in the back. Thanks for the help.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

There is a lot to this, the optional tires sizes are limited in 15" The most common tire is the 275/60/15 but I hate the look , the tire is too tall IMO .
I was able to find a Nitto 275 50 15 which fits well & is not too tall , also it has good traction .
If you go to a 17" rim there are a lot more choices & 295 should fit as there is a lot less sidewall bulge .
The other good option is to use offset leaf spring hangars & move the springs inboard this will allow up to 305 width with the right offset rims or using the 60s B body diff which is narrower

 

[Xcudame]

First thing to do is measure each side for clearance! I've seen up to 1/2" difference on factory cars and there are some here on the sites that have an inch difference which may be because of replaced quarter(s). If your lucky and both sides are equal, 275 is easy and 295 might fit. I have 255 on all corners of my 70 Challenger and they fit and clear just fine! I'll go bigger on the back when I replace the cop wheels with Year One Rallye wheels.

 

[tonysrt]

I have 275/60x 15" on a 71 Cuda with stock rims and no problems. I should have mentioned on the rears and have 235/60x15 on the fronts.

 

[frenza]

Ok so i will definitely measure but from what I'm understanding is that with stick 15inch rims I can fit 275 tires I dont have to worry about calculations for back space and off set

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I would agree 15x7" rims with 275 tires will fit , I prefer the 275/50 over the 275/60

 

[Xcudame]

Yes, with stock 15x7 rims, 275 will fit in the rear.

 

[frenza]

Alright thanks alot for everyone's help I will be going with dog dish 15x7 with 275 and I'll try to see how it looks between 50 or 60

 

[Cuda360-4]

Alright thanks alot for everyone's help I will be going with dog dish 15x7 with 275 and I'll try to see how it looks between 50 or 60

I am playing with this now on my 1970 ‘Cuda. Presently I have 235/60-15 all the way around, the one with the raised white letters, and I test fitted a 275/60-15 on a 15X8 Dodge wheel. They fit fine. I ordered the Year One 15X8 wheels for the back. They should be here on Tuesday. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[6PKRTSE]

I have 5 different sets of rear wheels that are all 15x8 with 295's and they all have been on two of my different E Bodies. Currently have the Rallye's on my red Challenger. Everything other than width of wheels and tires is stock, factory springs, location, wheel wells and wheel openings.

 

[moparlee]

I have 5 different sets of rear wheels that are all 15x8 with 295's and they all have been on two of my different E Bodies. Currently have the Rallye's on my red Challenger. Everything other than width of wheels and tires is stock, factory springs, location, wheel wells and wheel openings.

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What side wall do you have on your RT/SE, 50 or 60?

 

[6PKRTSE]

What side wall do you have on your RT/SE, 50 or 60?

50.

 

[i_taz]

Needed air shocks for 255/60-15 on 15x8 wheels. Rubbed a little on the inner wheel well with people in the back seat or a big bounce. Nothing you couldn't live with but like the look with 235/60's all around
and the boat stance much better...

 

[Cuda360-4]

I have 5 different sets of rear wheels that are all 15x8 with 295's and they all have been on two of my different E Bodies. Currently have the Rallye's on my red Challenger. Everything other than width of wheels and tires is stock, factory springs, location, wheel wells and wheel openings.

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Wow. The 275 tires barely fit on mine. That’s amazing that you can run 295 tires. But they look good.

 

[Cuda360-4]

There is a lot to this, the optional tires sizes are limited in 15" The most common tire is the 275/60/15 but I hate the look , the tire is too tall IMO .
I was able to find a Nitto 275 50 15 which fits well & is not too tall , also it has good traction .
If you go to a 17" rim there are a lot more choices & 295 should fit as there is a lot less sidewall bulge .
The other good option is to use offset leaf spring hangars & move the springs inboard this will allow up to 305 width with the right offset rims or using the 60s B body diff which is narrower

Has anyone used 50 series other than Nittos? I’d like a 50, but not a Nitto. I saw Hoosier has 275/50 DOT slicks that look amazing, but they look a little scary for the street. Has anyone tried those?

 

[heminut]

I saw Hoosier has 275/50 DOT slicks that look amazing, but they look a little scary for the street. Has anyone tried those?

Even though the DOT slicks are supposedly street legal I wouldn't run them on the street. The rubber compound is still soft and they will wear a lot quicker than a regular street tire. They would also be very dangerous in wet conditions as they only have a couple of grooves in the tread to make them street legal, which are very insufficient for wet conditions. They will hydroplane a lot sooner than a street tire would. Those slicks were originally made for 'Street Legal' drag racing classes to skirt the mandatory DOT type tires rule and were never really meant to be ran on the street.

 

[Cuda360-4]

Even though the DOT slicks are supposedly street legal I wouldn't run them on the street. The rubber compound is still soft and they will wear a lot quicker than a regular street tire. They would also be very dangerous in wet conditions as they only have a couple of grooves in the tread to make them street legal, which are very insufficient for wet conditions. They will hydroplane a lot sooner than a street tire would. Those slicks were originally made for 'Street Legal' drag racing classes to skirt the mandatory DOT type tires rule and were never really meant to be ran on the street.

Yeah, that’s what they look like. Thank you so much.