Tires for 4" wheels

I'm thinking about putting 4" wide wheels on the front of my 81 grand prix. Right now I have 7" wide wheels but the problem is that there is a conflict with my new hooker super comp headers. One of the header tubes on each side wraps around the frame into the wheelwell. These headers fit very well and the tolerances to the frame are as close as I'd like, the problem is that the with the wheel backspacing the tires will touch the hot headers during sharp turns.
The wheels I have now are weld rodlite 15x7 with 3.5" backspace. The only other weld rodlite with less backspacing is the 4" wide wheel with 2 1/4 backspace. That wheel would solve my tire touching header problem. I like the look of fat tires in the back and skinnies in the front. Also, I don't have power steering so the current 235 wide tires can be annoying when parallel parking.

My question is which tire to use? This car is my daily driver during the summer months. It will see rain but it's making pretty good power so I know it's going to be a handful in the rain already anyway. I'm just finishing a new engine and I'm expecting easy low 12's ET.
I would like to put bf goodrich radial TA tires on the 4" rims. The smallest tire they make is P155/80R15 it is recommended to be on a 4.5 - 5.5" rim. Would this fit on a 4" rim?
I'd like the TA because it would match my rear tires and should also provide decent driveability on the street. I don't think I want mickey thompson sportsmans on the front because it seems to me they wouldn't be too great on the street. Any ideas?
Thanks,
dh

I believe the tire would fit OK but would NOT recommend it....

That's a heavy car for such a small tire. I doubt if it is load rated high enough. OK for a drag only car but to drive it in all kinds of weather and road conditions....Not me.....

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Maybe some back spacers and a low profile tire to bring the tire out a bit? I'm with Deuce on this one, that's a mighty big car for 4inchers. Dan

I don't recomend that either. A 1/2" wheel spacer should solve your probs.

I'm kinda scared of wheel spacers. I've read some horror stories of them breaking when used on the front wheels. Does that only apply to aluminum spacers? Would steel spacers be strong enough that I wouldn't have to worry about them ever?
The other thing is that I do plan on racing this at the track. Will steel spacers on the front pass tech?

I don't understand why weld doesn't make 5" or 6" wheels with backspacing less than 3.5". What an annoying problem.
dh

Custom wheels can be made so you get the right backspacing. I don't know about spacers and tech inspection. I've never heard of wheels spacers breaking...Regular steel ones should do just fine.

Wheel adapters YES......
Wheel spacers NO

You will need longer wheel studs .....and a good set of spacers......

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__________________


I am like the FAT girl at the prom ...
I am just GLAD to be here !!



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