DeTomaso Mailing List: January 2001, Message #153

In a message dated 1/4/01 17:35:32, mdailey@tectelsolutions.com writes:

<< After seeing the wheels on the car I'm very glad that I went with the 16"
front wheels and 17" back wheels.  Thanks Mike Drew. >>

>>>You're welcome!

Wow, WHAT an improvement!  I never cared for the look of your old Weld 
wheels, especially since the rears had the wrong offset and stuck out a bit 
(like a dune buggy?)  But your car now looks just GREAT!!!!

Just wait until you start beating on the car and finding it sticking like 
crazy in the corners.  Approach the limits slowly, since you may have changed 
the understeer/oversteer characteristics by altering the front/rear contact 
patch balance, which may require a change in driving style and/or chassis 
tuning.

Also, your braking should improve dramatically!!!

Now, all you need is a nice front spoiler and the car will be perfect. :>)  
Although, considering the time and effort you went through to get the lower 
valance repaired, you might want to wait until you smash it up again before 
covering it with a spoiler! :>)

You also wrote:

>I was concerned that the back wheels might hit the front of my mufflers but
I lucked out.   Unlike the BFG 305s the Dunlop 335s has a rounder edge than
provided clearance with the front corner of the muffler.   For some unknown
reason my mufflers sit forward about 1/4 to 1/2 inch more than most
Panteras.   Hall said it is NOT caused by his headers.

>>>Well, remember that 1971 mufflers are totally different in construction 
from the 1972 and later systems.  Question:  do you have the original-style 
donut gasket between the headers and tailpipes, or do you have a flat gasket? 
 You should be running a donut gasket which will add about 1/4 inch to the 
totall front-to-back length of the system....

Mike