15's on a 63 Valiant

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fzmax

fzmax

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After way too much time and way too much money I've finally got 15-inch wheels on my Valiant. They are 15 x 8 out back and 15 x 7 in front, both with 4 1/2 inches of backspace. The front rims are very close to the upper control arm and the rear is dead center of the wheel well. If I had to do it again I'd give the rears 4 3/4 back space and the front 4 1/4. The tires don't rub anywhere, but the rears look like they could touch the wheel house if loaded up and under heavy side G's.

I also installed a set of ESPO plus one inch springs. Hopefully they'll settle down a bit. It popped the back up a little over two inches. Not quite nosebleed territory, but a little high for my tastes.

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I went with the same +1" ESPO springs too, after about 6 months they haven't settled much, and they raise the back a little high for my taste too, but I got used to it. Best thing to do is just be happy; there's no way to know for sure how it will look til it's done, and your car looks great!! Love the color too.
 
That's a great look! Nice Valiant....toolman
 
Thanks for the kids words. Since yesterday I put about 150 miles on it and it has settled a little, all of a 1/4 inch or so. But the car is completely transformed. It rides better, handling is on a different plane and I think I'll be able to put on the rear sway bar I bought almost a year ago. Before the springs and tires the car would over steer, but now it's pretty neutral. Driving it is a joy! Now if the A/C kit would just get here...

Tnplumber said:
Does it have a 2.2 turbo?? Saw it on the license plate.
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No, at least not yet. I did the plates with MS Paint. I have the turbo (from a 2.2), a pile of tubing and the drive, it's just been too damn hot. The goal is to have it under pressure before winter hits.
 
fzmax said:
No, at least not yet. I did the plates with MS Paint. I have the turbo (from a 2.2), a pile of tubing and the drive, it's just been too damn hot. The goal is to have it under pressure before winter hits.
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Sounds like a neet build. Show us lots of pics when you do it.

You'll defiantly have something different. Are you going to use a dakota trans to get rear wheel drive?
 
I basically had the same thing but yours is a little nicer. 15 x 8 on the back 4.875" backspace and 15 x 5 on the fronts. The tires were 245/60 15 and the fronts were 205s. ESPO springs arched 2" over stock - no rubbing. Car is long gone...
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Keith Mopar said:
Sounds like a neet build. Show us lots of pics when you do it.

You'll defiantly have something different. Are you going to use a dakota trans to get rear wheel drive?
Click to expand...

Oh, it's not getting the actual 2.2, just the turbocharger. I'm going to boost the 170 that's in there already.

rmchrgr said:
I basically had the same thing but yours is a little nicer. 15 x 8 on the back 4.875" backspace and 15 x 5 on the fronts. The tires were 245/60 15 and the fronts were 205s. ESPO springs arched 2" over stock - no rubbing. Car is long gone...
Click to expand...

Damn! I wanted to buy that car. When I found your thread it was too late.
 
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