New stance...

[magindat]

BFG KDWNT aka KDW2
245\45\18 up front and 295\45\20 rear. Rear rim is widened to 10" from Weldcraft. My tire guy said the rear required NO WEIGHTS when balancing! The tires are 11.7" wide. i like the new look and ride.

The alignment, working toward carfixer's spec, though lowered, provides a phenomenal ride and care-free driving experience. The last alignment had me fighting the car.

I guess I'm gonna turn off ABS, but I think that's actually an improvement in my opinion.

Rear is 30" tall and leaves me at a 3.90 effective gear ratio. I recalibrated the revs\mile with the SCT tuner and verified it on one of those roadside radar 'your speed is' trailers.

I have a ton more grip, though I can still tear them loose at will, it requires more power than before.

Here's a few pics.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/4/8/DSCF6219.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/4/8/DSCF6218.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/4/8/DSCF6220.jpg

[SC Cheesehead]

Oooooh, I like!

SCCH

[RoyLPita]

Nice!!! :2thumbs:

[Zack]

Looks great!

[Bluerauder]

Excellent !!! :2thumbs:

[Pops]

Looks great Rich! I am watching all of these tire threads as I am going to have to do a change when the GM gets back.

[Hotrauder]

Looks great Rich. Pretty as a picture, too. Dennis

[magindat]

Looks great Rich! I am watching all of these tire threads as I am going to have to do a change when the GM gets back.

I'll be glad to help, John. I got these fatsos in there with literally millimeters of clearance.

Now the tires match the driver!!!

[SILVERSURFER03]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet I Want It Or Somthing Close

[arejayesss]

NIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEE dude!!! I likey aloty.

[Todd]

Rich, What did you have to do to fit the 10inch rim in there???

I desperately need wider rims. The wider the better. I guess QA1 shocks or cut off dust shield on stock style, but what else if anything is required?????

[magindat]

Rich, What did you have to do to fit the 10inch rim in there???

I desperately need wider rims. The wider the better. I guess QA1 shocks or cut off dust shield on stock style, but what else if anything is required?????

You can't. Stock rims are 50mm offset and my 20's are (were) 40mm offset. I was starting with almost 1/2" more inboard clearance than a stock rim would have and that's why I could go 10 rather than the typical 9.5 on stock rims.

I have Monroe shocks which mount "right side up" and I cut the dust boot off. I clear the upper control arm bolt by 2-3mm. It's tight. There's nothing you can do with the stock 'upside down' shocks.

I occasionally lightly rub the tire sidewall inside the fender well and big woops, like after high train tracks, but I think that is more a function of height. It's barely enough to take off the tire shine.

Many here have used rims meant for mustangs, but they do stick out past the fenders. The ultimate offset comes to 75mm. You just can't get it in our bolt pattern. Even many make-to-order places won't do it.

I suggest finding a set of 18x8 rims you can get in +50 (for front) and +40 (for rear) and widen the rears. That's as big as it gets without major work.

[Joe Walsh]

That looks NASTY with the rims, rake & ride height!!

Are those rims forged?

Did Weldcraft have any concerns about widening a non-OEM rim?

[magindat]

That looks NASTY with the rims, rake & ride height!!

Are those rims forged?

Did Weldcraft have any concerns about widening a non-OEM rim?

Uhhh? Thanks? :D I too think it looks like it's gonna eatcha!

The rims are not forged, however, they ARE made for drifting. I have drifted the MM on them both on purpose and accidentally. They seem very strong.

Weldcraft had no issue with doing this work at all. acted as if it were totally routine.

[Marauderjack]

Hey Rich....

It looks really nice and I don't blame you for disabling the ABS......You don't need no stinkin' ABS down yonder!!!:shake:

Was you car black or silver originally??:confused: I like the paint job too....wonder what it would look like reversed??:cool:

Marauderjack:beer:

[snowbird]

Nice !! Fenders are properly filled !! :)

[magindat]

Hey Rich....

It looks really nice and I don't blame you for disabling the ABS......You don't need no stinkin' ABS down yonder!!!:shake:

Was you car black or silver originally??:confused: I like the paint job too....wonder what it would look like reversed??:cool:

Marauderjack:beer:

It was black. thanx, Jack!

[Local Boy]

That's beautiful...Brutha!

Talk to you soon...

ALOHA

[ts-pa]

...My tire guy said the rear required NO WEIGHTS when balancing! ...

Why did he use them then?

Looks very good Rich!

[magindat]

Why did he use them then?

Looks very good Rich!

OH! You're seeing the brand-name plate on the rim lip. Freaked me out for a second, there!!!!

Thanx.

[Raudermaster]

Looks good Rich! The backs look diesel. I gotta ask though, you actually get traction with those? I was all about getting the NT's when the KDWS' wore down, and my freakin' tires spin when wet, and I'm not even blown.

[magindat]

Looks good Rich! The backs look diesel. I gotta ask though, you actually get traction with those? I was all about getting the NT's when the KDWS' wore down, and my freakin' tires spin when wet, and I'm not even blown.

Well, Jarod, I get more than I had. For me one of the primary challenges is to find a tire brand and model that actually has the two sizes I need. There were only two that could accommodate. These and Yokohama Advan S\T. it was a tough choice since they were rated just as well among their respective users. In the end i chose on cosmetics and familiarity of BFG as well as BFG being the stock MFG.

Haven't dealt with the wet yet, but I drive in the wet with a light foot anyways...

[Raudermaster]

I generally do too, but if I feel the need to speed, and push the go pedal to the floor, I find myself fighting the wheel until I let off.

[Aren Jay]

1649?

So is this what is called long grain rice?

[magindat]

1649?
Production number and number I use at Moroso for racing as they require 4-digits.


So is this what is called long grain rice?

Huh?

If you think this is rice, maybe you should find a pic of a 69 Gurney or Yarborough Cyclone. Observe the heritage and re-think your position... this car is far above rice. Believe it. I used to be rice. I know the difference.

[quota]

Interesting.
JP

[Paul]

Sweet ride, Rich. Looks great!