Letting the cat out of the bag - Widening the rear SRT-8 rims for more meat...

[XCITsNU]

Originally Posted by QuikSilver

Ditto on widening the wheels - Located a specialist in Indiana that has custom built wheels for years on many "Rods" and will do each rim for $225. He adds the width to the "inside" so they will tuck very nicely!
I'm thinking of 20x10 in the rear and going with the tire set-up f/the GCherokee. (255/45 & 285/40)
If I don't go that route and get more radical then I'm looking at going 20x9.5 in the front with 275/40 and then 20x11 in rear with 315/35. The second route obviously will be a little tricky but I'm confident it can be done!

I plan on putting in the 180 thermostat and lowering pressure in the tires this week. I've got enough baseline runs at all different outside temps to be able to compare with added "tweaks". I'll keep everyone informed!!

Well, since the topic has now come up... I figured I'd let everyone in on my side project. I was going to surprise everyone, but since this has now become a topic of discussion, I figured I'd share the knowledge on the topic I have gained so far. My Silver SRT-8 has been on floor jacks for several weeks now as my rear tires are being split and all the rims chromed. Should be a couple of more weeks and the car will be back together and on the road with 10.5" - 10.8" rims on the rears and some 280 - 295 40's on the rear and 245 40's on the fronts. I haven't fully decided on the rears yet, since there is a very limited selection available in this range of 20" tires. I am trying to stay as close as I can to over all diameter, so the computer doesn't barf all over the place.

Also as a side note, there isn't enough room, even with rolling the fender wells for the 11" split and widen to be a realistic option. I will be having the fender wells rolled as well, and might not be able to get the 10.8's in there. I think 10.6" will be a safe compromise.

The split I am doing is going to be less than the $225 mentioned in the (GS Supercharger report - "Strap yourself in!!") post #32, so for those seriously considering doing this, I might be able to work out a group buy. Professional work done on a very expensive lathe and this is all this guy does for a living. Of course Cincinnati is really close to Indiana, so it might actually be a real option for you QuickSilver.

[FreebirdSRT]

Originally Posted by XCITsNU

Well, since the topic has now come up... I figured I'd let everyone in on my side project. I was going to surprise everyone, but since this has now become a topic of discussion, I figured I'd share the knowledge on the topic I have gained so far. My Silver SRT-8 has been on floor jacks for several weeks now as my rear tires are being split and all the rims chromed. Should be a couple of more weeks and the car will be back together and on the road with 10.5" - 10.8" rims on the rears and some 280 - 295 40's on the rear and 245 40's on the fronts. I haven't fully decided on the rears yet, since there is a very limited selection available in this range of 20" tires. I am trying to stay as close as I can to over all diameter, so the computer doesn't barf all over the place.

Also as a side note, there isn't enough room, even with rolling the fender wells for the 11" split and widen to be a realistic option. I will be having the fender wells rolled as well, and might not be able to get the 10.8's in there. I think 10.6" will be a safe compromise.

The split I am doing is going to be less than the $225 mentioned in the (GS Supercharger report - "Strap yourself in!!&quot post #32, so for those seriously considering doing this, I might be able to work out a group buy. Professional work done on a very expensive lathe and this is all this guy does for a living. Of course Cincinnati is really close to Indiana, so it might actually be a real option for you QuickSilver.

That will look so good going to fatties while retaining the OEM wheel. I have seen them widen a motorcycle wheel before to fit different size tires, mostly on choppers. I bet it will turn out great.FYI: I have personally seen Hennessey wheels in 20x9's 275/35/20 F and 20x10.5's 295/40/20 R. Not a rub, no rolling of the fenders.

[XCITsNU]

Originally Posted by FreebirdSRT

That will look so good going to fatties while retaining the OEM wheel. I have seen them widen a motorcycle wheel before to fit different size tires, mostly on choppers. I bet it will turn out great.FYI: I have personally seen Hennessey wheels in 20x9's 275/35/20 F and 20x10.5's 295/40/20 R. Not a rub, no rolling of the fenders.

Just curious, was that on a 5.7 or a 6.1? The 6.1 with the Brembo brakes only has a limited amount of wiggle room. 10.5's would fit with just a few mm's of space, so no rubbing there, but anything wider than that requires the fenders to be rolled. At least based on the digital measurements we took.

[QuikSilver]

Originally Posted by XCITsNU

Well, since the topic has now come up... I figured I'd let everyone in on my side project. I was going to surprise everyone, but since this has now become a topic of discussion, I figured I'd share the knowledge on the topic I have gained so far. My Silver SRT-8 has been on floor jacks for several weeks now as my rear tires are being split and all the rims chromed. Should be a couple of more weeks and the car will be back together and on the road with 10.5" - 10.8" rims on the rears and some 280 - 295 40's on the rear and 245 40's on the fronts. I haven't fully decided on the rears yet, since there is a very limited selection available in this range of 20" tires. I am trying to stay as close as I can to over all diameter, so the computer doesn't barf all over the place.

Also as a side note, there isn't enough room, even with rolling the fender wells for the 11" split and widen to be a realistic option. I will be having the fender wells rolled as well, and might not be able to get the 10.8's in there. I think 10.6" will be a safe compromise.

The split I am doing is going to be less than the $225 mentioned in the (GS Supercharger report - "Strap yourself in!!") post #32, so for those seriously considering doing this, I might be able to work out a group buy. Professional work done on a very expensive lathe and this is all this guy does for a living. Of course Cincinnati is really close to Indiana, so it might actually be a real option for you QuickSilver.

I would be very interested to talk to your source, simply to see his work and talk to him about different options. I have not lowered the car yet so I shouldn't have issues with the fenders needing rolled. If I go with 11's on the rear, the plan would be 1" going inside and 1" added to the outside using a High Quility CNC 1" spacer. It will be tight(will have to get underneath with good measuring equipment) If too tight, I may only be able to go 10.5-10.8 ...similar to what your looking into. Please forward me your source-either here or thru a PM.

Thanks

[Doyle]

Thanks a lot XCIT! I'm very interested in what you end up with! Really like the idea of splitting the stock rims for more width. Hope you won't mind a PM or two to get some of the details when all is said and done. Best of luck with this project and again, thanks!

[Ken Lally]

[quote=XCITsNU]Well, since the topic has now come up... I figured I'd let everyone in on my side project. I was going to surprise everyone, but since this has now become a topic of discussion, I figured I'd share the knowledge on the topic I have gained so far. My Silver SRT-8 has been on floor jacks for several weeks now as my rear tires are being split and all the rims chromed. Should be a couple of more weeks and the car will be back together and on the road with 10.5" - 10.8" rims on the rears and some 280 - 295 40's on the rear and 245 40's on the fronts.
QUOTE]

Ditto- pls keep us posted and of course pics once done... I am interested.

[FreebirdSRT]

Originally Posted by XCITsNU

Just curious, was that on a 5.7 or a 6.1? The 6.1 with the Brembo brakes only has a limited amount of wiggle room. 10.5's would fit with just a few mm's of space, so no rubbing there, but anything wider than that requires the fenders to be rolled. At least based on the digital measurements we took.

It was on the 6.1 MSRT (Hennessey's own personal vehichle). I was told by them that the same set up would work on our 300's. I won't know until I get my wheels in to test fit.

[XCITsNU]

I am pretty excited about the project. I think the SRT-8 or any 300 for that matter will look the part with wider tires on the back. It will tell anyone on the street this is a machine to contend with. Other than aesthetics, I'm just looking to hook up when needed.

[maneval69]

Do you have the wheels back yet?
Pics?

[teahead]

I can see how the wheels will be widened on the INSIDE (i.e. more positive backspacing/offset), but how would it be widened on the OUTSIDE?

I have 6.5" of backspacing on my 10" wide wheel. The stock 9" SRT8 wheel has 6" of backspacing.

I just don't see how you can widen it with more backspacing than say more than 6.75" BS?!?! If you can't widen the outside, then you're talking a 9.75" wheel! A little unorthodox. Or...you could go for a full 7" backspacing for a 10" wide wheel if you ran 1/4" spacer.

Just curious.