be posted in different forums, so I will just do one post here:
1. My 9" Currie rear end is 1" total narrowed from stock specs (60 instead of 61".) It also has 3" studs .5" in diameter. What type of lug nuts do I need? I assume open end, mag style. I went around to many places today and none could help.
2. For the 1" narrowed rear end, what backspacing should I go with if I wanted to fit 275 - 295 15" tires on it. I think factory BS was 4.5", so since the rear end is .5" narrowed, does this mean that I can go to 5" BS (or the other way around 4"?)
3. Kind of related to the above, should I go with 10" wide rim in the back top get the wide tires to fit, or is 8" good enough for 295s?
4. I was told since the motor will put 560HP and 600+ ft-lbs, I would need to box my frame. Wow, is that right?
5. How big of exhaust? Is 2.5" going to be sufficient, or do I need to go to 3"?
6. Hedman 68196 headers supposedly fit with no problems. They are 1 3/4" primaries. Is that sufficient size? I believe that Merlin recommends 2 1/8 for their 509, 540!!

My car is a '68 Chevelle. I realize that these are a lot of questions, but any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

I'll take a stab at the backspacing question. My guess is that you'll need .5" less backspacing, because the wheels will sit closer to the wheel well, more backspacing will get you closer. Also, the 2.5" diameter exhaust would do the trick, but I'm sure 3" won't hurt anything. Hope it helps, I'm sure more people will be piping in. Nick P.

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Nick P.
Team Chevelle Gold #36
http://people.ne.mediaone.net/nicpal/home.htm www.chevelles.com/showroom/Nick's1970ChevelleSS396.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Nick's1970ChevelleSS396.jpg)

Thanks Nick.
Anyone else? Please? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Yanniz
I may be able to shed a little light on your rearend ????? I have a narrowed Currie 9in. in my 65 Chevelle,My lug studs are long 7/16, yours being 1/2 I think would use Ford or Mopar lug nuts, also I got my open ended lugnuts from Summit Racing.
As for tires I have 295/50-15 BF Goodrich Euro TA's on 81/2-15 American mags, don't know what the back spacing is,but i'm working with a 65 Chevelle, and my rearend was narrowed 4ins. My tire and wheel combo is just under 12 ins. wide overall.

Hope this helps you some
Gene

Thanks Gene.
Does anyone else have any input on any of these questions?
Thanks

The 295/50x15 fits both rims fine. The 8" wheel will give more fender clearance & the 10" may require rolling the wheel well to prevent rubbing. With the rearend being narrowed an inch, more than 4" backspacing may cause a 15" diameter wheel to rub on the lower shock mount (at least on a stock chevy rearend - not sure about a Currie).

Mike Sibbitt
66 396 SS