Author Topic: New shoes. (Read 28147 times)

metalhead · « **on:** November 13, 2015, 11:28:11 PM »

4 of these were waiting for me when I got home from work tonight:

17"x9.5" all around:

Can't wait to get some tyres on and on the ground, but looks pretty awesome to me:

And I think the backspace is pretty spot on:

rosco · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2015, 07:32:27 AM »

Will be very interested to hear how the 9:5 go on the front.
Only heard of that size on the front with flares.
Love the look of that style wheel on a vet classic.

Rosco

metalhead · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2015, 08:00:40 AM »

Yeh, it might be tight on the front, but I thought it should work ok from measuring, and I got a great deal on these wheels. With the 5" backspace, the offset is almost identical to the standard 8" wide with 4" backspace, so provided the wheel clears everything (which it apears to) then it should just be a matter of selecting the right tyre. But I'm still aware I may possibly have to get some 17x8s instead, which come with 4" backspace in this wheel (same as the standard 15x8s) so should fit easily.

rosco · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2015, 08:45:19 AM »

Tyre selection will be critical, on full lock scrubbing is quite apparent on the inner face of the sub frame with the larger width of the tyre.
A 255 should work ok but would doubt a 275 will get in there with out hitting on full lock.
It's coming along very nicely and love you frequent updates keep them up.

Rosco

metalhead · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2015, 01:37:03 PM »

Thanks!

Yep, 255 is the plan for starters. Had 255/60r15s all around on the original alloys and fitted fine. I've lined up some 255/50r17s which should be nearly identical in size to try. They will be a bit wider on the wider wheels, but will hopefully fit ok. I wouldn't rule out flares in the future, the car will need to be painted at some point, but I'm not in a rush to do it. I want to get the MG Midget you can see behind the Vette painted and registered first, and also have everything else on the Vette sorted how I want it, to hopefully avoid the need to redo paint or bodywork later.

wabco40 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2015, 02:44:27 PM »

Nice looking wheels.

metalhead · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2015, 10:37:32 PM »

Picked up some tyres today. Plan to have one fitted later this week, and check fitment all round before mounting the others.

Old vs new, well matched in size:

Still plenty of sidewall height. I wanted it to still look classic, not too much like rubber bands:

Quote from: wabco40 on November 14, 2015, 02:44:27 PM

Nice looking wheels.

Thanks! I like them.

metalhead · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2015, 02:41:11 PM »

Fit appears good on the front. Since I put the offset upper arms in the front, the standard 255/60r15s rubbed a little in the back of the front wheel tub near full lock, and the 17s are the same, I think I'll need to reduce the caster a little when I align it. I could've fit 275/40s and avoided that issue (~17mm shorter sidewall) and I think they still would have cleared elsewhere. Haven't quite finished getting the rear back together to confirm clearance, but I did have to relocate the handbrake cable to on top of the trailing arms. Probably could have just shaved the bracket slightly and it would have fit, but moving it gives plenty of room to grow later. Wheel and tyre now clear the trailing arm easily, and looks like it will comfortably clear the chassis and sway bar, but may require a shorter leaf spring. I'll just have to wait until it's all back together to know for sure, hopefully I might get the chance to finish assembling it one night this week.

bfit · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2015, 03:21:10 PM »

Mate you could look at adjusters on the full lock stops.
most stops I have seen are half warn away. Fitting adjustable stops will possibly bring the steering back in to normal range.
bfit

metalhead · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2015, 03:23:39 PM »

Not a bad idea. Thanks mate, I'll have a look at it.

bfit · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2015, 04:23:59 PM »

when I get a chance Ill post a photo
Bfit

metalhead · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2015, 06:26:26 PM »

Bugger. Got most of the rear together now, and I definitely need a narrower spring in the rear. Any recommendations? I'm considering just shortening the main leaf of the spring that I've got, given it's already a gymkhana spring.

Quote from: Bfit on November 30, 2015, 04:23:59 PM

when I get a chance Ill post a photo
Bfit

That'd be great, thanks.

Jethro · « **Reply #12 on:** November 30, 2015, 09:15:08 PM »

Ahhh, Nitto's I love mine

metalhead · « **Reply #13 on:** December 01, 2015, 07:47:11 AM »

Quote from: Jethro on November 30, 2015, 09:15:08 PM

Ahhh, Nitto's I love mine

Good to hear! I haven't had them before, but the reviews were good. There's not a huge number of options in a 255/50r17.

Jethro · « **Reply #14 on:** December 01, 2015, 07:48:20 AM »

Yeah happy with my Nitto Invo's Bud

metalhead · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2015, 07:49:26 AM »

Pulled apart the spring last night, think I'll shorten it. The liners are a bit sad, anyone have a source for spring liners?

metalhead · « **Reply #16 on:** December 01, 2015, 08:01:03 AM »

They look good! Are they the 17 or 18 inch Rallys?

Here's mine on the front:

Scott · « **Reply #17 on:** December 01, 2015, 08:49:31 AM »

If you want to get fancy, Van Steel have a low arch plastic spring. It's slightly shorter than the stock one, however the low arch part should allow shorter spring bolts, which should tuck inside the rim (in theory). That's my plan B if I can't make my set-up work nicely when I get to it :)

bfit · « **Reply #18 on:** December 01, 2015, 02:20:45 PM »

Danny Dorsett of van steel has them in standard length,
1/2' shorter per side and
1" shorter per side.
I ran the last of these 1" per side and you do get the clearance .
you can get them in different spring ratings 300,330,360 lb
I had the 360 worked well but stiff , if you want ride comfort go lighter in the rating.
Bfit

metalhead · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2015, 03:09:42 PM »

Good to know, thanks for the info. Comfort is not a high priority compared to handling. The Vette will always ride a lot smoother than my MG (very low and stiff, live axle, and weighs ~600kg) anyway.

At this point I just want the car back together to try it as is, so I think I'll just shorten the main leaf (which will slightly stiffen the spring but not much). I'm keen to see how the car drives with the 'mostly stock' (fresh balljoints, poly bushes, Borgeson steering, offset upper arms in the front, lowered inner mounts in the rear, bilstein shocks) gymkhana suspension as a baseline before making additional changes. I hope it will work quite well... Time and money are a factor too.