Road wheel choice mistake, how did it happen?

[berni29]

Hi Guys

Over the past few years I have posted comments and started threads on the subject of ET (offsets) of various non-standard road wheels that we collectively fit to our plus 2's.

Personally I cannot bear to look at cars that have offsets that are too low and subsequently "whacky racer" stick out wheels. Prime offenders tend to be the Spyder Cars that use their full in house developed suspension offering. Often not helped because of the wider tyres often fitted also. Plus 2's with period Wolfrace wheels seem to suffer similarly.

So anyways, I am building up a full Spyder Zetec chassis and the time came for the wheels. I wanted to avoid the whacky racer look at all costs. I had been rolling the chassis around on some 14" Ford steel wheels (as found on fiestas etc) with an ET of about 38 I think it was. This gave me a track of about an inch more than standard (so 1/2" each side approx) Something I could live with. Also its probably the highest offset before brake clearance becomes an issue. For comparison I think Spyder use a minilite (or minilite alike) offset of 22mm on their cars.

I also had a couple of other rolling chassis with ,more standard suspension set ups lying around so it was not like it was difficult to make comparisons.

Long story short, I got hold of some minilite (alikes) that came off a late 60's Alfa, ET is 38, so I have them powdercoated silver, new 175/70/14 tyres put on , and yes, they stick out too much. I just could not believe it. Something has gone wrong somewhere.

So I am going to get the 14" ford steel wheels painted and the tyres swapped over. I do actually like the design being quite reminiscent of the standard 13" steel wheels. I am going to try to get the rims chromed with black centres like the originals, but if not possible them the whole wheel bright silver.

I will post on the outcome with some more photos anon.

Please ignore my friend Bob in some of the photos and also the comedy wheel arch gaps caused by Spyders grossly over long springs.

All the best

Berni

[berni29]

Hi

This is one of the steel wheels.

Tks

Berni

[Lotus 50]

I still have the factory 13s, but mine are knock off. Is the offset on the Spyder knock off wheels correct?

[vstibbard]

Is is a combination of 14” rim and 175 x70 profile tyres as the pictures show a lot of tyre wall”bag”. Ordinarily you would reduce profile as you increase width and definitely if you increase tin diameter to maintain rolling radius.
Cheers
Vaughan

[alanr]

My observation is..
I think a better tyre size choice would have been 180 or 185/60/14's, however you haven't mentioned the wheel width of these Alfa rims you have fitted.. 5.5J or 6J?
I agree they don't look right at present but I think they may look slightly better if you changed the overly high springs and the car sat lower putting the wheel more into the arches.

I recently tried to sort some new Minilites out for my +2 but for the time being I have parked the idea due to Minilite refusing to discuss Offset options! and Spyder also unwilling to discuss Offset and will only supply 'their' version of a 14x6 alloy rim which will need a 2.25 spring conversion and even then I don't think they look right being in my view too wide.
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=54704

I think a 14x5.5J alloy rim is probably a better bet but if not doing a 2.25 spring conversion sorting the offset to ensure the tyre doesn't rub on the standard spring perch is the challenge.

Incidently, I measure the standard 13inch steel rims on my +2, at ET 37. The thickness of the material of an alloy rim though makes this offset figure unusable.

Difficult to sort to make it look right and also handle right would be my assessment using ad-hoc rims from other manufacturers..


Alan.

[berni29]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the replies.

The original tyres fitted to the car would have been 165/82/13

The 14" combination (in a tyre that actually exists) giving the closest possible match is 175/70/14 which gives a circumference difference of only 0.1". The tyres I chose also have quite a soft sidewall which bearing in mind the weight of the car is important. You do not want to be fitting an XL version.

A 185/60/14 tyre is nearly 3" smaller in circumference, so quite a bit smaller. I also want to stay in the spirit of the original high sidewalls especially with modern potholed roads. Also a 185 tyre will stick out even more than a 175.

I will check later, but I think the minilites are 6j and the steels 5.5j. The minimum tyre width for a 6j is 175 so on the minilites the tyres actually overhang the rims minimally.

The steels are going to be fine and will look close enough to standard to fly for me.

All the best

Berni

[ill_will]

Hi Berni,

If you can figure out an easy way to do it, as Alan says it might be worth checking what the situation looks like when the car is closer to the correct ride height as the camber and hub lateral position both will both change as the suspension articulates in addition to the vertical position of the wheel. You might find it improves to your taste.

Cheers,

Will

[alan.barker]

Hi Betni,
Have you fitted the Spyder very special double wishbone at the rear.
I've heard if so when this compresses the top of the wheel goes out towards the wheel arche. If so tyre contact with body.
Alan