24 replies to this topic

[jackturbostage4]

I will be selling a tullet back box, tullet down pipe and a manifold Soon ( after Crimbo ) 2.5"

Think he has a turbo chill

[Jester666]

I've got 18 inch wheel on my car (all 4 corners) which were deliberately wide to give me more traction in the dry. Front are: 8.5J - 245mm x 35% profile, ET15 with 16mm spacer Rear are: 10J - 285mm x 30% profile, ET15 Be warned, if you go that wide you will need wheel arch extensions for sure. They certainly make a difference to the way the car handles/behaves, both positive and negative. Positives: 1. Immense grip on good/moderate tarmac (sustained corners at 1.5g with semi-slicks). 2. Much more security when you boot it, so that the rears don't lose grip. 3. Possibly the car feels more planted, but this might be due to other mods. Negatives: 1. The car is much more camber sensitive, the steering wheel is very twitchy (even snatchy at times). This is really noticeable and you have to be much more aware of crossing the centre of roads where the camber changes. 2. The reduced tyre profile makes the ride harsher, will probably wear out the coilovers faster. 3. On bumpy road (I.e. pot holed B-road) the car is noticeably less nimble and feels less secure. 4. Marginally worse grip in the wet, massive chance of aqua-planing. 5. If your overall new wheel + tyre diameter is larger than OEM (which it likely will be) then this will adversely affect the wishbone angles. Overall, I'd say the 18" are worth it if you intend drive on flowing A-roads or not too twisty tracks. If you were trying to belt down a twisty B-road or a track with lots of moderate to sharpish corners you'd be better off with smaller wheels IMO, as they would give a nimbler feel. This info is as unbiased as I can be BTW.

 

Many thanks Nev for a very informative post. I am not going to be doing track days and adding arch extensions to enable the fitment of wider wheels is over and above my ambitions. I do take your point about a larger rolling circumference altering the steering geometry and as such putting undue stress on certain components. My interest is mainly in ensuring that when I start to tune the car, to try to minimalise wheel spin and also am interested in the aesthetics and 18" wheels do suit the car well. Yes a lower profile tyre will make the ride a little more harsh which is something I could probably live with.

 

Some excellent thoughts and points on this thread, which leaves me needing to decide which compromises I wish to make :-

 

18's for looks but a harsher ride, TD's or Compo's for more nimble handling or do I stick with the snow flakes and see how I get on.

 

The jury is still out

 

MANY MANY THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS SO FAR - VX220.ORG IS SUPERB  

[Nev]

If traction is you main worry (understandably!), then a switch to Khumo V70a tyres would be the most cost effective way for more grip, they offer the best stickiness for road driving IMO, but do wear out fast. Also consider lowering tyre pressure a bit, if you are not going drive over roughly 110+ leptons, then 24 or 25 PSI hot temps is acceptable and will give you a greater contact patch with the tarmac at the expense of very slightly reduced steering response.

Edited by Nev, 15 November 2014 - 11:22 AM.

[Nev]

Where abouts in south Wales are you, I drive over there quite a bit.

Edited by Nev, 15 November 2014 - 11:23 AM.

[Jester666]

10 mins from Junction 34 M4, about 12 miles west of Cardiff