Ground clearance and tire height

[Radar]

This is my first post here.  I am getting to the finishing stages of my FED construction.  I have been figuring on 3 inches of clearance between the chassis and ground.  Is that about right ? 

My second question is on tire height.  The center of my rear axles are 9-3/4 inches above the bottom of the frame.  If we add the that figure to 3 inches of ground clearance then the rear axle centers are 12-3/4 inches above the ground.  What I cannot find anywhere is how much the tires will drop when the weight of the car is on them. 

I am using 12" rims.  The car is for brackets and NE-3 or possibly NE-2 (not sure it will have the guts for 8.60).  Any help or tire recommendations will be greatly appreciated!

[rooman]

Radar,
          depending on tire size, pressure, manufacturer and overall diameter I normally figure ride height at around 1/2" less than nominal diameter. Ground clearance need to be a minimum of 3" to a point 12" behind the centerline of the front axle and 2" minimum for the rest of the car except for headers and oil pan.

Roo

[wideopen231]

Been wondering if I have enough clearance myself. I have 3.5 at front and 3 at motor plate. Thats with 32 tire ,block,crank heads,intake and me. Add 120 for trans and maybe 120 for pistons,rods cam and misc. I Konw I will be legal but also not looking to drag frame in shut down if get bounce going on. Hopefully tire growth will add enough to help there.