What rear tires fit the '87 Trans Am?

Hi all, I have an '87 Firebird Trans Am and I want to fit some fat tires on the rear. I don't have any narrowed axles, tubbed fenders or other such mod to affect fitment; original axles & suspension geometry. I need to lift the rear a little to raise the I.C.G. and help the suspension hook and intend to do some other mods (shortened torque arm, CA reloc. brackets, etc.) and am willing to swap rims to fit the tires. So, there it is: Does anybody have insight as to how fat a tire will fit the rear without scrubbing? Best Regards, Jim

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Drink
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Jacking the ass-end up and stuffing in huge tires will ruin the handling of the car.

If you don't already have the honeycomb 16" wheels, I'd recommend finding two pair of matching front wheels (4 fronts, so you can rotate them and it'll be a tad wider in the back), and put on some good

245/50R16 performance tires. Lower it about an inch, bolt in a set of Koni shocks and struts, and weld on subframe connectors.

Also check the gearing. If it's anything other than a 3.73:1 rear with a limited slip diff, go get one at a boneyard. It'll make a huge difference.

Reply to
The Reverend Natural Light

Reply to
Drink
10 years ago, my son bought a used 87 Trans-am WS6 that came with 275/50R16's on the rear. When we took them off you could see a small amount of rubbing on the inside wheel well in a straight vertical pattern centered on the axle. We put new stock size 245's back on it and it handled a lot better. This was a 305 TPI 5 speed with WS6 suspension.

Jacking up a good handling sports car so it looks like some kind of a reject from a 60's drag strip should be a crime.

Reply to
Badda Bing Badda Boom

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