ducktape

Take a good look, 'cause this combo is extinct.

The picture above is a set of lightweight BBS wheels in 16 x 8, with a 52mm offset. The slicks are Mickey Thompson ET Drag in size 26/8.5-16. This combination fits perfectly in the unmodified wheel wells of a GSL-SE with a Ford 8.8, and have allowed me to cut 1.5s 60ft times with impunity.

The problem is, M/T discontinued this slick in 16" sometime in the past 5 years. This set sat in a basement gathering dust until I managed to put my car together. And I'm finding it impossible to replace them.

The 26/8.5 size is today manufactured by M/T in only 15" sizes, leaving me royally hosed. I have not been able to locate any 15 x 8 wheel with a 52mm offset. The closest so far has been Diamond, with their 5.5" backspacing Pro Series wheel. This isn't looking like an option for me for two reasons:

1) 5.5" backspacing is close, but likely not close enough. Even with rolled fenders I'm still likely to encounter some serious interference issues if the wheel and tire are moved outwards another 1/2in. Yes, the tolerance with this combo is that perfect.

2) Brake caliper clearance. The dropwell area in steel wheels has a very narrow diamater, and I have some very big brakes. With the extreme offset, the brakes would sit right in the dropwell area... Interference is likely.

I need an alloy wheel, or shallow dropwell steel wheel in 15 x 8 with a 52mm offset (~6in backspacing). Has anyone ever run across such a thing? Where should I look? Any help would be appreciated.

RETed

Contact those drag wheel manufacturers that can make custom sets?
Bogart used to do this with the Honda crowd...


-Ted