iadr wrote:
I've sold probably close to 25,000 tires in my capacity as a parts manager for various car dealer. Never sold a 225/45r17. Try 215/55r17, maybe?
225-45-17 is an extremely common german car tire size. Tire Rack shows 156 different types. 215-55-17 only show 56 types for comparison.
horizenjob wrote:
A Ford 302 is a much smaller engine and will help you keep the small size you want. I think I measured about 19", I can check again for you.
I think you mentioned 3800 RPM at 70, I'm not sure that's going to work. The mileage would be really bad because you would use very little throttle and have a lot of manifold vacuum. If you use a little too much pedal, like maybe hit a pothole, it will burn rubber.
How about a 7.5" clutch?
Maybe the proportions will be OK for you with a little more width if you make it longer, like you're thinking.
I thought about the ford 302. I don't have as much experience with it, or what transmissions can pair with it. I have way more experience and comfort with gm motors and transmissions. I've also read a few places that the 302 cuts about 1 inch off the width, but I don't know for sure.
I'm not sold on the 5.5, I mostly just wanted the smaller bell housing to get more foot room. Looking at the big parts stores, it doesn't look like there are many small bellhousings available for larger clutches and flywheels.
Driven5 wrote:
esp42089 wrote:
Or what about with 225/55r17 tires? You won't be able to get the absolute stickiest compounds, but it'll add 2 inches of height and still has some decent performance tires available.
........
You might even be able to hide some shoulder belt mounts below the top of the boat tail as well. I believe even the SCCA road racing rules allow for as much as a 20 degree downward angle off the shoulders. At least then you only have the head/neck to worry about, rather than the entire upper half of your body. In my head it doesn't seem like a 'double hoop' pair of bars would look that bad.
Again, I think a lot of compromises will come down to how much time/distance you realistically plan to actually spend driving it.
I thought about going to a 225-60-18. Those suckers are huge! nearly 29" in diameter. Tire selection is pretty slim though.
So here are some new pictures. I've widened it an inch, it has grown 2 inches in height and length, the driver sits an inch higher, the engine moved forward 2 inches and up 2 inches, wheelbase grew 2 inches, and a series of other tweaks to proportions.
Attachment:
Bug-rev2-F34.JPG
Attachment:
Bug-rev2-side-ST.JPG
Attachment:
Bug-rev2-top-ST.JPG
Also, I had the measurements from my rear axle all wonky. Inside bulge to inside bulge is 49", outside edges are 68", not 58". From my measurements, I think I could use a traditional bellhousing with this layout and it would only stick down below the bottom by 1 inch, so if there are smaller bellhousings, that don't resort to going down to a 5.5 clutch, I'm all ears!