Is it possible to run 17x8 w/ fenderwells

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440seven

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Trying to make the decision. About to stuff my 440 in a 72 duster. Is it possible to run 17x8's with a low profile tire under fender wells? I've seen a few folks running them but unsure of what headers.
 
You have fenderwell headers?

I don't know much of anything about fenderwell headers, but based on what I know about fitting 17x8" rims in general I would say no. At the very least if they could be made to fit it would be with so little offset and such a narrow tire that you'd probably be better off running 7" wide rims. Really if you're going to run tires narrower than 245/45/17's you wouldn't need 8" wide rims, and I can almost guarantee you won't fit 245's up from with fenderwell exit headers.
 
I have 17x7s with a deep backspacing on my 67 dart with the car pretty low, looking at pics of fenderwell headers I would think you'd be able to, it seems like they come in pretty high behind the shock tower. I'm sure somebody has tried it.

Joe
 
No way no how! My dads demon has 400 b block with fenderwells. Runs 14x6 wheel and a 215 tire. Front end jacked up and still rubs
 
Yes I currently have fenderwells, but not installed (haven't swapped the motor yet). Hmmm I've seen a post or two of folks saying they've ran a 17x8 with a 235/45 but haven't seen what they've done to get there, or if it's total bs.
 
Yes I currently have fenderwells, but not installed (haven't swapped the motor yet). Hmmm I've seen a post or two of folks saying they've ran a 17x8 with a 235/45 but haven't seen what they've done to get there, or if it's total bs.

Yeah but if you're going to run 235's you might as well run 17x7's. Way easier to work out the clearances too. Even most 245/45/17's will fit on 17x7.5's, some even list a 17x7" as the minimum depending on the tire manufacturer. A 17x8" with the 245/45/17 would be better for handling of course, but the minimum recommended rim width would be better if you're trying to make them work with fenderwell headers. For autoX of course the max rim width is better, but on the street you likely wouldn't notice the difference in handling. You would notice if they rubbed on the headers though!
 
Yeah but if you're going to run 235's you might as well run 17x7's. Way easier to work out the clearances too. Even most 245/45/17's will fit on 17x7.5's, some even list a 17x7" as the minimum depending on the tire manufacturer. A 17x8" with the 245/45/17 would be better for handling of course, but the minimum recommended rim width would be better if you're trying to make them work with fenderwell headers. For autoX of course the max rim width is better, but on the street you likely wouldn't notice the difference in handling. You would notice if they rubbed on the headers though!
Yea that's what I needed. I've seen folks running 7's up front and and 9-11's out back. I'm assuming to run 11 rear springs need moving inboard? I think your right, I'd be probably be more than happy with a 215 or 225 up front.
 
Yea that's what I needed. I've seen folks running 7's up front and and 9-11's out back. I'm assuming to run 11 rear springs need moving inboard? I think your right, I'd be probably be more than happy with a 215 or 225 up front.

Yes if you want to run a 17x11" out back you'd need to move the springs. At least a 1/2" offset. I've got 18x10's on my Duster with 295/35/18's using a 1/2" spring offset and another 1/2" or so trimmed off the quarter lip for clearance. That's the biggest tire you can fit into the stock wheel well, although you could run a 295 on an 17x11. If the ride height is way up in the air in the back you might do a little better, but I'd say that if you want to go bigger than a 295 you should do the full 3" spring relocation and mini-tub. And at the moment I'm not finding much for a 295 width and a 17" rim. There are some 285/40/17's, but after that there's just about nothing in DOT legal tires until you get to 315/35/17. And you'd need a 3" relocation and mini-tub to run those unless you went 4x4 height and hung them out of the quarters. Selection in the 17" diameter is getting more limited especially in the wider sizes. It's not bad up to about a 275, but after that there aren't nearly as many options.
 
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