West Coast Cobra

[Enormus]

I am ordering wheels for my West Coast Cobra, will 12" wide tires on 9.5" x 15" rims fit on the front of the car and will I be able to turn the wheels without rubbing the wheel wells or fenders.

E

[cwmcobra]

E,

12" sounds pretty wide for the fronts. Are you talking the Section Width of the tire from the manufacturer's specs? I went astray from the West Coast 15" wheel standard and run 18" wheels with no problems. Using 275/35R-18 front tires and 345/35R-18 rears. Section widths are 10.7" for the fronts and 13.9" for the rears. I've got wheel backspace info as well if you would like to see it. Send a PM or email and I'll forward it to you if you like. Pictures of my wheels and tires, as well as the finished car are in my gallery.

If you have other questions on the build of the West Coast, let me know. I can provide some suggestions from my experience.

Happy building!

Chuck

[fastraxsg]

seems like anything over a 275 width is over kill ( and may just look weird) might hamper your steering too unless you have power or arms like a gorilla.

[Enormus]

Thank for your input and I see you have a West Coast Cobra also, it is 12" section width for th front and 10.4 tread width. For the rear I am having the rims widen to 12" to fit Micky Thompsons new street radial that are section width 15" and 13" of tread 29" diameter. I think that this will fill the wheel wells but I may have to modfiy the rear end.
I also have a set of 17" rims and widening the rears to 12" to fit some Michilin Pilots 335/35 ZR 17
My wheels are all Vintage Halibrand with true spinners. I get my car in 3 week and will post some photos

Norm

Originally Posted by cwmcobra

E,

12" sounds pretty wide for the fronts. Are you talking the Section Width of the tire from the manufacturer's specs? I went astray from the West Coast 15" wheel standard and run 18" wheels with no problems. Using 275/35R-18 front tires and 345/35R-18 rears. Section widths are 10.7" for the fronts and 13.9" for the rears. I've got wheel backspace info as well if you would like to see it. Send a PM or email and I'll forward it to you if you like. Pictures of my wheels and tires, as well as the finished car are in my gallery.

If you have other questions on the build of the West Coast, let me know. I can provide some suggestions from my experience.

Happy building!

Chuck

[cwmcobra]

Hey Norm,

I went back and checked my wheel widths. The fronts are 10" wide, the rears 13". In order to get the fronts to fit without interference, I raised the coolant overflow tank in the wheel well on the driver's side and tied the intake air tube for the heater up so it didn't drag on the tire. Now that Vern installs the plastic tanks in each fender well, the second for the washer fluid, I assume you would have to raise them both.

When you say you get your car in 3 weeks, I assume you mean you get it back from paint. That's always an exciting time. Enjoy the experience!

Chuck

[Enormus]

I just got the car back from paint and I have posted the photos. I am spending to much cash on the car especially the wheels but I am willing exprement to get it right even if I have to modifiy the front and rear ends a little.
I went a little over bord ont hfinishand paint as well almost scared to drive it...lol

Norm

Originally Posted by cwmcobra

Hey Norm,

I went back and checked my wheel widths. The fronts are 10" wide, the rears 13". In order to get the fronts to fit without interference, I raised the coolant overflow tank in the wheel well on the driver's side and tied the intake air tube for the heater up so it didn't drag on the tire. Now that Vern installs the plastic tanks in each fender well, the second for the washer fluid, I assume you would have to raise them both.

When you say you get your car in 3 weeks, I assume you mean you get it back from paint. That's always an exciting time. Enjoy the experience!

Chuck

[Enormus]

I also notice that you have the bigger lemans gas filler cap, so do I and it looks good. I am also putting on the hood handles and having a remote hood release installed.
You paint seem simular to mine I have a pearl white stripes. Did you lower your car to sit low on your tire or did it just work out that way?

Norm

[Enormus]

I also notice that you have the bigger lemans gas filler cap, so do I and it looks good. I am also putting on the hood handles and having a remote hood release installed.
You paint seem simular to mine I have a pearl white stripes. Did you lower your car to sit low on your tire or did it just work out that way?

Norm

Originally Posted by cwmcobra

Hey Norm,

I went back and checked my wheel widths. The fronts are 10" wide, the rears 13". In order to get the fronts to fit without interference, I raised the coolant overflow tank in the wheel well on the driver's side and tied the intake air tube for the heater up so it didn't drag on the tire. Now that Vern installs the plastic tanks in each fender well, the second for the washer fluid, I assume you would have to raise them both.

When you say you get your car in 3 weeks, I assume you mean you get it back from paint. That's always an exciting time. Enjoy the experience!

Chuck

[cwmcobra]

Norm,

Great looking car. From the pictures, it looks black, but I saw a hint of dark blue in one. Mine is Midnight Blue Pearl Metallic and looks kind of black in low light.

I didn't lower the car at all. That's the way it turned out with the wheels/tires that I chose. I think the tires fit the wheel wells very well. I've seen too many West Coast cars where the front tires are outside the wheel well and don't like that look.

I see you modified the hood scoop to get more intake manifold on the engine. Which intake are you running? Can't tell if it's a single or dual plane.

Chuck

[cwmcobra]

Norm,

Did you get the LeMans cap that has the locking cap inside? I did and am glad that I made that decision. I've talked with another WCC owner who has just the LeMans cap without the sealed cap inside and he gets fuel sloshing out onto his paint, which he says has softened it. I don't have that problem with the locking cap. Got mine from Enzo and Paula at Finishline,

I just sent an email with lots of other WCC info. Let me know if you have any other questions I can help you with.

Chuck

[Enormus]

My car is a pearl dark blue look a little lighter in daylight, the hoodscoop is an option from WC and allows for the manifold not to be planned down. The intakes name escapes me right now but is the one Vern recomends on his CD and as I mentioned I did not have to plane down the maniflod 1/4 as is required with the stock hood scoop and I may put in a 100hp nitros kit (mostly for looks and show).

I sent you another email regarding your engine,514, I have found a dual plane
2x4 from Holman and Moody.
I really do not what I am doing just had a far amout of cash to spend, mostly trial and error but it look like it is all going to work out

Norm

Originally Posted by cwmcobra

Norm,

Great looking car. From the pictures, it looks black, but I saw a hint of dark blue in one. Mine is Midnight Blue Pearl Metallic and looks kind of black in low light.

I didn't lower the car at all. That's the way it turned out with the wheels/tires that I chose. I think the tires fit the wheel wells very well. I've seen too many West Coast cars where the front tires are outside the wheel well and don't like that look.

I see you modified the hood scoop to get more intake manifold on the engine. Which intake are you running? Can't tell if it's a single or dual plane.

Chuck

[cwmcobra]

I've always thought that a dual quad setup is the best looking induction you can put under the hood. I didn't opt to go that way. In fact, I just finished installing a custom 4 bbl carb from Pro-Systems that has perked up the 514 even more. I settled for the Torker II intake due to the hood height issues. Vern didn't offer a taller hood when I bought mine. It actually makes pretty good power, so I'm pleased.

Chuck