49 replies to this topic

[Asheey]

Im interested, But would be alot more tempted if wider rear's were available.

[elwill]

I'm definitely interested, but cash flow would not allow a set in the immediate future and I cannot see that changing any time very soon. Any vague clues on a time frame? I would probably be more tempted by a set of the TDs that will end up floating about cheap...

[SteveA]

Like Max and Sizten I would also be interested in 17" all round in a wider fitment for 215F 245R tyres.

[Rally]

James, you can put me down for a set in standard 16/17 sizes. In fact, I'll go against the flow and request a narrower rim... on the front. 195s on 7" rims are a bit of a stretch, can I have 6.5s please Not that I am that worried about the weight. Having nearly given myself a hernia lifting the box containing 4 replacement brake disks, I can say that if I was that worried about unsprung weight I would run without brakes at all

[frosty]

il hav a set

[JG]

Here is a picture of a 17/17 setup, from the german site. (fronts look too big, but the rear looks great imo

In total there is nearly 10kg of unsprung weight to be lost using these over TBs and 20kg over speedlines.

[JG]

here are the 8 colours i mentioned (not cheap though)

[yaaan]

Is it bad that I like the orange ones? Not for an extra £150 and definitely not on a blue car but still think they look pretty good Standard ones for me for sure.

[Seb.F]

In total there is nearly 10kg of unsprung weight to be lost using these over TBs and 20kg over speedlines.

Not like it would make much difference whether it was unsprung or sprung on some of the VX's with their ridiculous suspension setups

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Good on you JG for taking something like this on, I wish you all the best with it! Good man too for going to Oz, top quality gear!! One thing I would say is don't be too keen to write off the calls for larger sizes. Personally I don't think 16/17" is the top setup for a VX anymore. They're kind of yesterdays news. The ATS DTC sizes have had alot of research and testing and are by far the best combo I've ever driven on and I think is a more innovative product which are almost starting a 'new' market as the 16/17" owners out there are buying them as well as the standard rim sized guys. Just look at this very thread. MAXR, StevA, Sizten etc all on 16/17's already and all calling for the new sizes.... They call the DTC's the 'German TD's' as they have become so widespread so quickly. If you're looking for a business venture I think this is far more lucrative!!

[siztenboots]

in terms of tyre availability in semi slick, the widest I can see fitting a VX is 255 staying with a 17" rim and thats with a 40 profile, and smallest rim width on that is a 8.5J , tread width is 232* , section width is 260* (varies by make), of course happy to be proven wrong.

I've looked and Bridgestone have removed the data for RE040, so can't get the width data. But a quick calculation came out at having ET20 for the 8,5J wheel

A more sensible compromise is the 235/40/17, tw=216*, sw=238* , which will go on a 8J rim.

given the difficulties a number of us have experienced getting tyres fitted to a 7.5J , this is one of the reasons why I prefer 8J minimum

I've avoided going to larger wheels sizes to the bad effects on the wishbone angles and CV joints and the need to change suspension setups. If I was to change, I'd go to 15" all round, like Meldert did.

*sizes given from manufacturer data for Federal RS-R

tyre weights if anyones interested in total USM , plus actual sizes versus nominal sizes
RS-R , 6.5mm tread depth (http://www.federalti...c/spec595RS.pdf)
225/45/17 = 11.2kg , tw=206, sw=230
235/40/17 = 11.5kg , tw=216, sw=238
255/40/17 = 12.4kg , tw=232, sw=260 (8.5J)

R888 , 5mm tread depth (http://www.racetire....s/toyo_r888.htm)
225/45/17 = 10.9kg , tw=221, sw=231
235/40/17 = 10.9kg , tw=238, sw=243
245/40/17 = 11.4kg , tw=238, sw=249
255/40/17 = 11.8kg , tw=259, sw=264 (8.5J)
315/35/17 = 13.6kg , tw=300, sw=320 (the MaxR super wide option! , 11J rim needed)

[JG]

Thanks Jimmy, you make a fair point This isn't really a buisness venture, because i don't expect it to make any money. Breaking even would be a bonus. I've effectively passed on the costs which OZ have quoted me plus priced a small amount of risk. Thats why they look so cheap compared to many of the sites that sell these wheels in normal sizes. I simply got in touch with OZ to see if we can release a bit of liquidity into the VX wheel market. I think that the 17/17 or 17/18 (and 8-9J) market is well catered for by the DTCs and there is no shortage of those wheels. They are quite expensive, but OZ is never really going to compete on price, but will on quality and weight. TD have the value end of the market sown up (and rightly so, its a great product) and so it will be interesting to see if there is (i guess we'll see from this thread and the one on Myspeedster) interest in a premium wheel. We could go for a wider rear but it would be another new wheel which would have its own mimimum order and that further reduces the chance of this ever happening. Thats really why I'm reluctant to go down that route.

[TazN]

Good on you for trying to sort something like this out JG! I'll keep a close eye on it as new wheels and rubber are in order in the not to distant future.

[SteveA]

I agree with Jimmy the 16/17 combo IMO were specced at the time 250bhp was about the max people were at. With a lot running 300+ these days more rubber is always going to be a good thing.

If I was to change, I'd go to 15" all round, like Meldert did.

Problem with that is the availability of wide affordable 15" tyres is not good. In my view if we are increasing the rear tyres to 235 or 245 (10 and 20mm respectively) then it makes sense to go 205 or 215 on the front to keep things balanced. There is some very keen pricing on 17" 215 & 245 tyres (cheaper than 16" 195 & 17" 225) so it just makes sense to me to go 17" all round.

[JG]

You've got to admit, they look pretty bloody great in standard sizes

Thanks Alanoo!




These have spacers and longer bolts which is why a new cast is required (and the point of this thread)

[alanoo]

Honestly I think bigger power guys do not need the very lightest option and should be happy with the ATS DTC option which are acceptably light; but there is much (much much) more to be gained for the "lowish" power guys which are running the heavy TD in the "standard" 16/17 combo.

[hughcam]

They are pretty sexy. Im very interested

[Firthy]

Bugger.... great work JG but just bought TD's gutted.

[Rally]

JG, would you hazard a guess as to when this is likely to happen (if you get enough interest, natch)?

[JG]

well, it could happen tomorrow. Realisticly, unless suddenly lots of people think this is a good idea, then the quantities just aren't there. This wouldn't be a 10 set GB, but needs to be more like 50. So far I reckon I'd get 20.