30x9 Slicks Nova

[Wizard17]

OK. I know that this has been discussed in length several times, however, I cannot come up with any detailed pictures or definate answers on whether or not I am going to have to cut on the car at all to fit these tires on the car.

Car in question is a '74 Nova Coupe, everything in the stock location. New stock multileaf springs with overload leaf removed. Stock width S-60 rear with disc brakes. Car is 99.9% strip car with a possible cruise night 2-3 times a year.

Anyway, I am wanting to put 30x9 slicks on the car. I have read everything from they wont fit at all, to they will fit fine on 10" wheels. Also, havent nailed down if I will have to cut the wheel opening forward or rearward of the tire to clear at speed due to growth. I understand that every one of these cars are different, just trying to get the biggest tire under the car without major surgery.

This will be a 95% bracket car 5% grudge type car. Will also be swapped to a stick shift ASAP. The local track, and where it will be run the majority of its life is 1/8, it will race 1/4 if available but will be very rare. ET wise I am projecting high 9's-low 10's(1/4 mile times).

Anyway, I have been researching this for a while now before I decided to post this question, so thank you very much in advance for any help.

Sincerely,
Chris Daniel

[Dana Fitzpatrick]

You may have to find a short roll out 30.On my 68 Camaro,I have to run a 30 that rolls out at no more than 92 3/8. So I run a short 30 or a tall 29,preferably the short 30. Try some different sizes,if you can, and then call around and see if the tire sellers will check the chalk marks on their tires they have in stock. I would start with Larry Hodge Racing. You will have to know what roll out you can fit first.I hope this helps you,Chris.

[MikeMoller]

I went to a NHRA national event and picked up several size tires from the 'throwaway' stack at the tire vendors for free. Same for a Divisional or IHRA meet. Used these for trial fit on my 76 Nova. Keep in mind radials don't grow, bias ply will. I also went to a local track, plenty of Novas running brackets with different rim/tire size combos.

[Wizard17]

Thank you very much for the replys. I will be using bias ply only. On that note, how much have you found the bias ply tires to grow in this situation (9's-10's)? Unfortunately I don't have any national or divisional events close enough to me where I am at. Locally the only nova guys either minitubbed their cars or are running 27"-28" slicks.

Thanks again for the replys!!!!

Sincerely,
Chris Daniel

[Dana Fitzpatrick]

With a 10 inch wide wheel,I need at least 3/4 of an inch between the front of the tire and quarter panel lip. A narrower wheel will require more.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

if going to stick i would fit it for M/T 9X29.5 it think # is 3056S is good stick tire
Mike Taylor 3601

[Wizard17]

Thanks for the replys!!

My local track was running this weekend so my son and I went poking around, found 1 Nova with 28x10.5 on it.......... Found a Chevelle running 29.5x10.5's, I dont think the width of those would work under the Nova.

I never knew about those 3056ST's, I didnt scroll down far enough to see them considering they are out of order on the page lol.. Those look like they would be perfect if they will clear front to rear.

Dana, you mentioned 3/4 clearance on a 10" wheel. I have about concluded (unless someone has better info than I do) that I cannot quite stuff a 10" wheel under my car. I think I am going to run into the leafspring before I can get it under the quarter lip........ On an 8" wheel (which I know will fit) would that put me in the area of around an 1" clearance needed front to rear or possibly more than that?

My next question is, has anyone been able to get a 9" wheel under one of these? Seeing as how the Nova runs a really deep offset to tuck the wheel it makes it hard to borrow anything from someone else to test fit.

Anyway, thanks again for the responses, I really appreciate it!!!

Sincerely,
Chris Daniel

[FLEMING]

I have a 74 and run the Tall 30X9.0 (94" rollout) hoosiers.. I cant remember wheel offset but they will fit.. i had to remove a small amount of the inner lip of the wheel opening at the top but not noticable from the outside.. The tires do rub occaisionally on the inside when turning very tight..

[Wizard17]

Outstanding!!!!!! Thank you very much!!!!!

Beautiful car by the way!!!!

One question, I assume those are 8" wheels?

Thanks again!!!

Sincerely,
Chris Daniel

[Dana Fitzpatrick]

The tire will tend to grow larger in diameter on a narrower wheel.At higher rpm it will want to seek the width of the wheel,so it will get narrower and taller on an eight inch wheel as opposed to a ten. Try hard to get a ten inch wheel on your car Chris, it will get all of that slick down on the track surface,resulting in much more traction.