Rim and tire fit issues

[Bone]

Looking for some help here
Car is a 1969 coronet with firm feel rear suspension. 500hp SB +nitrous. Car is mini tubbed
Wheel and tire combo is 17x11 rims with 315/35/17 tires
Problem is that with the wheels on the car and weight on the rear axel (engine trans but no doors, glass, interior, or front fenders) there is about a 4 1/2 inch gap between the top of the tire and the top opening of the rear wheel well.
I can move the spring hangers one notch which will get me an inch closer but that is still a big gap. I considered drop blocks in the rear and drop spindles on the front but that will only get another inch in the rear and 2 in the front. I am running big disc brakes so I can not downsize wheel size. I would prefer not to have to buy a new set of tires and wheels. What other options do I have that maintain handling? Do I need to wait for the car to be completed more before tackling this problem.
Thanks

 

[747mopar]

I had my leaves de arched, they dropped it an inch but the springs were already 1" to begin with. Any spring shop should be able to get it done.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Sounds like you got super stock springs in the rear. Get the xhd springs, all should be good at that point.

 

[Bone]

Does dearching reduce handling?

How would I tell the different springs from each other?

 

[1967coronet440]

You can have the leaves de arched, throw some coilovers on it, or swap out the leaves... IMO a 35 series tire on a 17 inch rim is too small, should of went with a 45 at least. What kind of trans and gear are you running?

 

[Bone]

Admittedly I am trying to make these work in a hodgepodge fashion. Wheels and tires came with another car I bought and I was just hoping they would work with this build. Definitely not married to them but if I can make it work with minimal cash infusion so much the better.
Engine is R3 race motor 358ci. trans is a cope racing tranny with gear vendors overdrive in front of 4:30 gears

 

[1967coronet440]

Admittedly I am trying to make these work in a hodgepodge fashion. Wheels and tires came with another car I bought and I was just hoping they would work with this build. Definitely not married to them but if I can make it work with minimal cash infusion so much the better.
Engine is R3 race motor 358ci. trans is a cope racing tranny with gear vendors overdrive in front of 4:30 gears

Was wondering about trans and gear because with that small tire diameter without an overdrive that thing would be screaming down the highway, don't know if and how much time you plan on spending on the street/highway. It will still scream with that small tire and 4.30 gear, my opinion if you don't want to buy new rims you should get tires with a higher side wall, shoot for 28"-29" diameter. 315/45/17-315/50/17

 

[1967coronet440]

Admittedly I am trying to make these work in a hodgepodge fashion. Wheels and tires came with another car I bought and I was just hoping they would work with this build. Definitely not married to them but if I can make it work with minimal cash infusion so much the better.
Engine is R3 race motor 358ci. trans is a cope racing tranny with gear vendors overdrive in front of 4:30 gears

Just for comparison you're at about 25" tire diameter right now with a 35 series tire on a 17" rim. taller tires will help fill out that gap also.

 

[Bone]

Very true. Problem is then I start getting into custom wheels to max out my mini tub and still have break clearance. Next problem is finding a good tire to fit those custom wheels. I have not resigned myself to new rims yet but I won't let these screw up the look of the car.