Q: Do you have recommended fitments?
A: Yes! From years of measuring and recording basic measurements on muscle cars, hot rods, classic cars and production cars, we have complied recommended fitments that we can suggest with 100% confidence. We also have installed, built, worked on, and are familiar with the majority of the most popular aftermarket upgrades, and understand how these modifications relate to wheel and tire fitment. So whether its a full restoration, or a fully built custom, we have the knowledge to fit you with the perfect set of wheels.
Q: How much room should I leave between my outer fender, my inner fender, and my tire?
A: This question is relative to the size of the tire, and the sidewall height. Tires that are 65 series or higher will experience sidewall flex more so than a lower pro-file tire. For tires that are 65 series or higher, and street driven, the accepted clearance is .75" to the outer fender, and 1" to the inner fender. For tires lower in profile, in most cases, a .5" outer fender and .75" inner fender clearance is acceptable. Ride height and suspension modifications all play a vital role in wheel and tire fitment. For the widest wheel and tire option, please download our custom fitment form, and/or give us a call for technical assistance.
Q: What do the sidewall markings on my tire mean?
A: There is plenty of information listed on the tire sidewall, but here is the most important of that information. Lets begin with size. Lets use a 245/40/R18 93W as our example. The numbers preceding the slash indicate the distance, in millimeters, across the widest point of the tire-called "section width" (245mm, or 9.65 inches in this case) - when mounted on a wheel of specified width. Often listed before this number are letters that loosely signify the kind of duty for which the tire was designed: "P" stands for P-metric and is generally used on passenger cars, "LT" indicates "light-truck", and "T" is for temporary spare. The two digits after the section width is the aspect ratio, or profile, of the sidewall (in our example 40). This indicates that the sidewall height is 40% of the tire's width, which equates to 98mm, or 3.86 inches. The lower the number, the shorter the sidwall, but remember, it is in proportion to the width of the tire. The "R" letter indiates radial tire contruction. Nearly all tires sold today are radial tires. Other constructions are "D" for bias - ply, and "B" for belted. A preceding "Z" is simply a reference to an outdated and vague speed rating of more than 240km/H, or 149mph. The last number, "18", simply refers to the diameter of the wheel that the tire is inteded to be mounted on. The 93W is refered to as the service description. The numbers (93) indicate the tire's max "load" rating, or the amount of weight the tire can bear and the letter "W" denotes the speed rating, or how fast the tires can safely rotate. The lowest typically found on passenger cars is Q which is 99mpg. The hightest is Y, good for 186mph, and when in parenthesis (93Y) means "in excess of" 186mph. Other markings of noteable importance: Treadwear; The treadwear grade is based on the rate of wear of a tire during a 7200 mile on vehicle test compared with that of a reference tire. The higher the number, the longer it will likely last. "300" indicates the tire should last three times longer than the Uniroyal reference tire, which scores 100. Red Dot; Here's a long-held myth that can finally be put to rest! It doesn't help in the balancing process to align the "heavy spot" of a tire, often indicated with a red dot, with a wheel's valve stem when mounting. Aluminum Wheels are now the norm, and the valve stem is no longer the de facto lightest point.