after much searching and not really finding an exact (or near) answer to this question, i decided to post it and see what you guys say…..

I am purchasing new slicks for my gsl-se. I have put a ford 8.8 on it to exact dimensions as stock. I drive it on the street and beat the hell out of it at the track as well. I am going to be using a set of 15x8 Welds with 5.5 backspacing. right now i am between a Mickey thompson 26x8.5x15 tire or a hoosier 26x8x15. I am leaning more towards the MT.
car is lowered (for now) on racing beat springs and tokico adjustables. it actually launches pretty good on this setup.

my question is really…will the 8.5 tire rub when launching or should i play it safe and do the 8.0? tire contact patch according to summit is 8.1 for the mt and 8.0 for the hoosier both using a 7.0 rim. since the rim i am using is 8.0, this will round out the tire more
clearing the edge?

any suggestions are welcomed. thanks

 

I'm on a 275/50 15 drag radial on a 15x8 5.5 BS also. Mine rub slightly so with 2" less on width it might not. The ET Street is more square than the MT drag Radial. Just make sure you roll the lip!

 

i'm planning to roll it, but not round out the stock (outside fender lines) of the car, just to be on the safe side anyways. i'm not too fond of any edges near the tires!
i'm just trying to get as much tire on the ground as possible. i saw your write up on your car and got some good ideas of of it.

 

Oh no, please respect the cars lines at all costs!

 

After fitting an 8in rim with 5.5 back spacing, I am nowhere near the rim edge being inside of the wheel well. I can still fit a 6-6.5 (back spacing) wheel, but I am very near the point where the flex of the tire may hit the inside of the well.

How on earth are people stuffin a 26" slick on these cars? Are they using a 7" rim?