Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Mini tub (Read 5320 times) previous topic - next topic

Mini tub

Well I'm back at the transplant project for the 85 turbocoupe
Im tossing around the idea of mini tubbing it.
Is it worth doing?
What width rear tires are you fitting under the factory wells?
The car is going in to get thru floor frame connectors with webbing to rockers, plates for future cage.upper & lower boxes,ARB and coil-overs
I have built motor for boost but will run N/A for now.
It's 410ci iron eagle with Vic Jr's thru a JW glide.
I may have to run a c4 i have for now depending on how far I can stretch the budget..
Cheers

Mini tub

Reply #1 –
Depends on how you are gonna drive it. I drove with 275/60's on stock ten holes, but they did rub a bit. On my 87 they only rubbed on max travel.

That's roughly a 28x10.5" tire btw. I think a 26x10 would be fine.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Mini tub

Reply #2 –
It's gonna be my street car for now
I have a bullseye 483, holly hp but due to budget constraints
I'm not going to be able to go forced induction right now
Im sure the car will have a few ponys once complete.
I dont want any rubbing that's forsure.

Mini tub

Reply #3 –
Stock tires are about 25.5" tall and about 6" wide tread width. The rubbing for me was because the tires were too tall, not because of width. I did have to zip tie the brake cables.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Mini tub

Reply #4 –
Good to know...thanks
How was the rake with the 28's?

Mini tub

Reply #5 –
Where you rubbing on inner wheel well?
Do you think you could have corrected it with changing back spacing of rim?
Thanks

Mini tub

Reply #6 –
Not really, it was basically as much room as avaliable. If you rolled the fenders, you probably could fit 325mm or wider tires, but it was pretty close to the control arm and outer fender, it was centered pretty well.

It rubbed on the very outside of the tread, where it transitioned to sidewall on my setup. Put a few deeper grooves in the side when I had a couple hundred pounds in the trunk, just light rubs when empty.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Mini tub

Reply #7 –
I will be using offset LCA's and I have a slightly narrowed rear so sounds like I should be good once I figure out my backspacing for my setup.
Thanks for your input Haystack

Mini tub

Reply #8 –
We have a wheel/tire thread here somewhere. Just remember that the 87-88 cars have more wheel well then 83-86 cars.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Mini tub

Reply #9 –
My 86 had very wide tires on the rear, Firehawk F1's on 16" CSA'S. I can't remember the size tho...they were the rain tires for firehawk racing series. I got a set from my buddy's dad who was the mechanic on team. 20 years ago anyhow, I know they were a short tire. I'll get under it and measure best I can...worst case scenario I mini it and throw a bigger tire under it.

Mini tub

Reply #10 –
A 10.5W will fit under the car with stock wheel wells if you roll the fender lip and massage the inner fender.  Other than that you will want to mini tub the car for anything larger and if you are going to do anything other than straight line race it.

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

Mini tub

Reply #11 –
I run a 275/60/15 drag radial on the street and 28x11.50 Hoosier QTP at the track. Wheels are 15x8 with 5.5" backspace. Never rubs but I also have the rear seat deleted and don't really put anything in the trunk. I also have coilovers all around with 150lb springs in front and 175's in the back. Might go back to 150's on the back.
TC#1- 2.5T- 10.14@134....9.76@138 with a 50shot
TC#2- Turbo BBF project
TC#3- parts car

Mini tub

Reply #12 –
It should be noted that 87-88 cars have more room in the wheel wells.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Mini tub

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Haystack;456366
It should be noted that 87-88 cars have more room in the wheel wells.

Doh, didn't see that OP is working on a 85'.
TC#1- 2.5T- 10.14@134....9.76@138 with a 50shot
TC#2- Turbo BBF project
TC#3- parts car

Mini tub

Reply #14 –
Thanks guys!
Ford made the wheel wells larger in 87-88?
Anyone know off hand the actual measurement on difference between the 86 vs 87?