E BODY GROUND CLEARANCE ISSUES

[redneck 75]

hello MMA just getting my 73 challenger ready for its first roadtest/shakedown,shes had a rebuilt 383 fitted from previous 318.All K frame refurbed,all steering and brakes,steering etc etc.Any way ive got 5" clearance at my summit headers which im happy with but my exhaust from mid car back is too low due to low rear end,only got 3.5" to exhaust muffler.Id be happy with 5".Ive put the wheels off my duster on her for now,so got 25" diameter tyre on rear(265/50/15) so yes i know if i put a bigger diameter tyre on her she will lift.A 275/60/15 will give me nearly 3" on diameter,and solve ground clearance problem but not sure it will fit in arch without hitting on bumps etc?I thought the leafs may need re-arching but i was told on e body forum they came flatter as standard,no rake back to front.So options before i drive her -bigger tyres,re arch springs,add a leaf ,rear shackles.Id like a small rake and arches fairly full of tyre but dont want to make expensive mistake,wrong tyres,re arch with no lift gain.
Maybe a set of 255/60/15 rears giving an inch lift and leafs re arched?What do you think?cheers Jon(speed bump smashed my c10 headers this summer hence my post)

[V8DVE]

Hi Jon,

Where are you based? as I have some wheels with 295/50/15 and 275/60/15's that are off my A body at mo, that you could try for mock up, but will depend on location and what backspace you may need etc

[rocket70]

If they are the original springs they are now over 50yrs old, so probably could do with a refurb. I would start with the springs.

Depending on where you are…Paddington Springs in Wembley will refurb them and set them to what you’re looking for.

[rocket70]

Here’s an ebody with 255/70/15…not my car.

[redneck 75]

Thanks for replies,much appreciated.Im up north near Lancaster but thanks for offer to mock up youre wheels.Yes refurb.arch springs ,there is a place in North West that does classics.The 255/70/15s pic is cool,it would create ground clearance for sure but looks too crazy high for me.
Ive measured front wheel arches -they a at 25" and look right,5" ground clearance to headers and plenty to sump and K-frame.Got 24" to rear wheel arches.Whats usual e body heights on these ?Ive adjusted/messed with exhaust mufflers and got 4" now to lowest point,so an inch of lift will sort it i think.A255/60/15 would sort it or do i risk a 275/60/15?i like 275s on challengers but dont want em rubbing.My new centrelines are 15x8 with -6et giving em 4 1/4" backspace.Thanks for youre help and input

[MattH]

dodge challenger retrofestival.jpg (117.56 KiB) Viewed 259 times

I've got 235/70/15s on the back of my 73 Challenger which is the closest I could get to the T/A size tyre as mine is a 70 TA tribute. I get a tiny bit of rubbing on the outer edge of the arch on the driver's side when loaded with camping gear for Le Mans and going round roundabouts, but otherwise its fine. I think my wheels are 15 x 8 Minator alloys (minilite lookalikes).
My exhausts are genuine T/A boxes with the forward facing side exits pipes, no ground clearance issues and I live in a town with 10 speed humps.

[redneck 75]

Thats a great tribute car,i want to make some t/a side pipes for mine,ive already got hood scoop

[Pete]

I have 275 x 60 x 15 on my 'Cuda - with Superstock springs fitted for more ride height.

The Quarter Panels are smaller than a Challenger and there is absolutely no wheel contact with the body over bumps.

You need to get the wheel back space and wheel width correct.