Pics - 17" Halibrands on your 289 car

[Stangrob]

Hi folks,

Well, I've been trying to do my homework before ordering my 289 FIA kit, and living in Jersey makes it that much harder ;)

I've been planning to go with a fairly traditional build for my car, but I've come across one sticking point a few times now, which I hope to get closure on tomorrow. I think I've finally tracked down the group in MVC to ask this question of, but it seems in Jersey if you're trying to title a Cobra you need to run 17" wheels to pass. For the life of me I could not figure out why, and in the MVC's "builder's package" there is no mention of this. However, this seems to all come down to ground clearance. With a FFR 289 car you have 4.5" of ground clearance. Apparently one of their inspection tests is can the car roll if it has four flats. With 15" rims the car will end up on its frame - 17" wheels give enough clearance to not have the frame touch down. Ugh...

So... while I'm trying to figure out how to possibly work around this (and I'm open to suggestions) I was wondering if any of you installed 17" rims on your 289 car, as I'd like to see how they look. I really want the traditional fat sidewalls on my car but I may have to go with the larger wheels and smaller sidewalls.

Thanks!!!

Rob

[Waterman]

Ride height is adjustable at the shocks. Raise to 5.5" for inspection then lower. I have mine at 5" or so due to under car exhaust.

[Derald Rice]

NOT my car, but this is a 289 with 17's............

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?49450-289-USRRC-for-sale

[Stangrob]

I was thinking about that too ;)

On the plus side, I met with the inspector today - turns out my local MVC is now one of the two NJ locations for kit/salvage inspections. Nice guy and very approachable. I asked him a few questions and specifically asked about the wheels. I posed the 15" vs. 17" wheel question and he replied that as long as the wheel/tire combo doesn't hit the frame or suspension then he's good with it :D So I'm not sure if something changed but he's supposed to be the guy doing the review so I'm pretty happy at this point ;)

Rob

[dr-sicel]

Interesting - do you know what other requirements NJ has? I recall reading that it will need all the smog stuff. I have heard it reported (not verified) that you need a heat shield for the side exhaust… you know what else? Do you live in the Trenton area? I have “heard” you need to trailer it there for inspection… trying to figure out the direction I’ll go - mind you, I just took delivery so I have quite a bit of time!

[Stangrob]

Interesting - do you know what other requirements NJ has? I recall reading that it will need all the smog stuff. I have heard it reported (not verified) that you need a heat shield for the side exhaust… you know what else? Do you live in the Trenton area? I have “heard” you need to trailer it there for inspection… trying to figure out the direction I’ll go - mind you, I just took delivery so I have quite a bit of time!

I had a very good conversation with the guy who'd be doing the inspection on my car. The 15" rim question was the big one for me, and thankfully he cleared that up for me (and it will allow me to go with the 15" pin drives). A few other tidbits:
- You do need side pipe covers. I haven't decided yet if I'll do something permanent or just for inspection, but either way I'm looking at making up a set of shields from 4" tubing and welding on some threaded fasteners to the exhaust. This is still a work-in-progress from a planning perspective.
- There is apparently no specific requirement for roll bars, so the single hoop with the Petty bar will suffice.
- I asked about the requirements related to side markers and reflectors. I commented to the inspector that none of the Cobras I've seen in Jersey have either of those - his response was that as long as the car has headlights, taillights, and turn signals (and they are SAE labeled) then he doesn't anticipate having an issue.
- Emissions requirements and equipment are based on the engine/block you're using. To title the car in Jersey you need to have a title from the car which the engine came from (unless you have a new engine and then the manufacturer will provide the info). From this they'll set the emissions dates. So when the car is titled it'll have two dates - one for year of manufacture (i.e. 2025) and one for year of emissions (if you pulled a 289 from a '65 Fairlane then they'll set that date to 1965).
- You'll also need wipers and defrosters.

As far as I know driving the car to inspection is a big no-no since the car isn't registered or titled. It'll be flatbed time ;)

I live in West Long Branch and luckily the Eatontown inspection station is one of the sites that do this work. I believe the other location is the Winslow location (Ancora, NJ). Asbury Park was closed and moved to Eatontown. I have a copy of the Reconstruction/Specialty Constructed Vehicles package if you need a copy - I can't upload it (apparently too big) but I can email it to you if you'd like.

Rob