Hey guys,
I am getting excited about ordering the rims for my car (still saving up though lol)... I am going to be getting 17x10 and 17x12 CCW classics, but the one problem I can think of is going to be the bolt pattern to get them drilled.

I am thinking about doing a 9" or a 8.8" ford diff swap in the future to withstand a beating. But is there anyway to retain the 4x114.3 GSL-SE bolt pattern? That would suck to have the rims, but have to use spacers to mount them. But the axle swap is going to happen anytime soon, but it has been my goal to get the rims and then move onto working on the drivetrain.

Hmmmmm ideas? Im on a tight budget that consists of my car getting all my money!

Thanks
Dan_s_young

 

Do you have a power taget in mind, your basic FB driveline can take up to 300 hp.

 

Ya, if you run skinny, shitty tires. About 200-250 is max if you run tires to fit a 12" wide rim. Ask directfreak about that. I remember him saying that the rear end was fine at 320hp with regular skinny street tires, but once he put the drag radials under it, the rear end blew apart on the first launch. If you think about it, the stock 7.5" ford rear end that came in some mustangs is absolute crap and can't hold much for power. Well, the stock rear end in these cars is 7". Its not going to take much of a beating on 12" wide rear rims. The key is in your weak points. In the case of the driveline, you want your weakest point to be the tires. They should break loose much sooner than any other part will.

BTW, you would need a 325 wide tire to fit that size rim.

 

Luiml73 is running the exact rim/tire combination, and he doesn't seem to be having any troubles... 315 cm is over 1 foot, its bound it fit...

For horsepower goals, I would like to make 400+ RWHP. Show some cars around here whos boss.

 

Is there some way to retain the stock SE bolt pattern with the 9" that I am unaware of? I was just given some extra money, and I now may be able to afford the CCW's!

 

Are you ordering the 9" Ford, or modifying one yourself? If ordering, just ask for that bolt pattern. If you are moding one, have the axles drilled to the pattern you want.
Of course, you could also order custom axles to go in your home-modded rearend.

 

I was thinking about ordering the housing and axle shafts from grannys http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/newproducts.html

And then putting in a torsen case and a ring and pinion set. I guess I should contact grannies and ask if they can somehow retain the stock bolt pattern... Damn sometimes im dumb lol...

 

That would be the way to go. You can retain the stock bolt pattern, and make the stock rotors and calipers fit the axle setup. Hell, if they are good enough to stop the FD, they'll stop a widebody FB. The SE uses the same rear pads as the FC/FD.

On the other hand, you could order the big brake kit from RESpeed, use the 5 lug rotors and 4 piston calipers up front, and adapt the rear 5 lug rotors to the stock ford 5 lug (4.5/114.3) which is the same as the FC/FD. Then, you would have the braking power of the FC/FD, on an FB..........................
This would be a little more pricey, but, since you are going all out on the rear.....................

 

Good idea Rogue. Then he could have the same pattern for the rear axle and his wheel choices would be wide open and probably cheaper. If Dan can go with an off the shelf wheel, the savings will help pay for the brake upgrade in the front.

 

Does it show that I have been considering this type of build????
I have an '86 GXL parts car (complete, minus a couple switches), and just got an offer for a free SA shell. I'm thinking this SA would be a good home for the 5 lug/4 pots under a widebody kit.
Damn, now my son may have to find his own car to build, for when he gets a couple years older........................