TarkMalbot Posted January 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 The good news is the OZ Ultraleggera 18x7.5" are lighter than the standard 17x7" and the Toyo 225/35/18 tyres are just the same weight as the 205/45/17 tyres! This keeps the same rolling diameter and overall the 18" package will be lighter than my current 17" package and it will look good too! 225 width will be ok on a 7.5" rims wont they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 I think 18s would be a little too large and demand too small a profile. but that's just me I liked the photoshop on the previous page. As for unspring weight, yeah maybe a little lol. I liked the idea of the Graphite wheels too for a while but when I see my car with its stainless grille and silver badges and stuff I go back to liking the silver wheels. lol. The missus has some say too when it comes to thigs like this. I have to pass it with her first! There doesn't seem that much point changing from the standard 17" to OZ 17" of similar design just to save weight. On the other hand £1300 is a lot of money just to have an inch bigger rims. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIH Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 bear in mind you could pick up a puncture at any time and may have to replace a tyre/tyres sooner than expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 I am starting to think maybe stick with 17" rims but go to 7.5" wide and increase the width of the tyre. Will still work out lighter than standard, more agressive offset and look different. And I might go back down the graphite route. Not to mention 17" is £500 cheaper than the 18" I used to be indecisive but now I am not sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Liking the look of these though: 225/40/18 Wheels are the same weight but the tyre will weight almost 2Kg more. I think 225/35/18 will be too low profile after looking at that photo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Liking the look of these though: 225/40/18 Wheels are the same weight but the tyre will weight almost 2Kg more. I think 225/35/18 will be too low profile after looking at that photo! Be sure to keep the revolutions per mile within 5% of the OEM wheels/ tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Going back down the 17" route now! 235/40/17 on 8" rim would keep the same diameter as the standard 205/40/17 although I think it is a bit wide for what I need! The 225 options on a 7.5" rim with the tyres I want (Toyo T1-R) is 225/45/17 which will increase the profile from standard and the diameter by 0.6". That shouldn't make too much difference I guess. They don't seem to have a 225/40/17? Maybe the most sensible option would be to go 7.5" rim with 215/40/17 tyres although this will reduce profile, the diameter by 0.5" and therfore more importantly show the gap between the wheel and arches! lol. Someone tell me to stop being such a fanny and just buy some! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgh Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Going back down the 17" route now! 235/40/17 on 8" rim would keep the same diameter as the standard 205/40/17 although I think it is a bit wide for what I need! The 225 options on a 7.5" rim with the tyres I want (Toyo T1-R) is 225/45/17 which will increase the profile from standard and the diameter by 0.6". That shouldn't make too much difference I guess. They don't seem to have a 225/40/17? Maybe the most sensible option would be to go 7.5" rim with 215/40/17 tyres although this will reduce profile, the diameter by 0.5" and therfore more importantly show the gap between the wheel and arches! lol. Someone tell me to stop being such a fanny and just buy some! Stop being such a fanny and just buy some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Diplomatically put kgh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Going back down the 17" route now! 235/40/17 on 8" rim would keep the same diameter as the standard 205/40/17 although I think it is a bit wide for what I need! The 225 options on a 7.5" rim with the tyres I want (Toyo T1-R) is 225/45/17 which will increase the profile from standard and the diameter by 0.6". That shouldn't make too much difference I guess. They don't seem to have a 225/40/17? Maybe the most sensible option would be to go 7.5" rim with 215/40/17 tyres although this will reduce profile, the diameter by 0.5" and therfore more importantly show the gap between the wheel and arches! lol. Someone tell me to stop being such a fanny and just buy some! Stop being such a fanny and just buy some PMSL. I guess I asked for that. Litterly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Managed to order my new wheels last week. I am going for 17" by 8" wide with 235/40/17 Toyo T1-R Tyres. Offset of 48mm. These will be the same diameter as the standard wheels but with the extra width. I spent weeks deciding what wheels to get and what size and eventually decided on these. What a nightmare they were to get hold of. Don't pay any attention to any prices online as I phone up everywhere and the UK importer has stopped bringing them in so no-one seems ot have any in stock. They can import them but with the current exchange rates expect tp pay 30% more than they used to be! And when speaking to idiots it gets very frustrating when they can not write down simple things such os the rim width or diameter... "Do you have 17"x8" PCD114.3 ET48 Please?" "We dont have them but We could import them. Just one moment I will check our supplier for you. (puts me on hold for 5 mins)... Yes we have the 17" wheel" "Is that in the 8" Width?" "I will just check that for you. (another 5 mins on hold) Yes we have 18"x8"" "I asked for 17" x 8". I'm not getting anywhere here am I? Bye!" I eventually managed to find somewhere in the UK that had them in stock! Still a little more money that I had first though but I should have them in a few days. William Murphy of PerformanceAlloys.com was very helpful and even a MX-5 fan himself! Looking forward to getting them on the car friday hopefully. Just two questions. Should I be running the same tyre pressure of standard ie 29psi and when it comes to geometry would you set it any differently to a car running standard wheels? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Start with the OEM pressure and monitor the wear then adjust accordingly. If you have issues with tram-lining post here again and we will deal with that then. As for Geometric changes, yes..... 1: The wider tyre will generate more rolling resistance so the Toe position may need to be changed. 2: The off-set may need a camber change. 3: The cars weight spread over a wider contact patch may need the castor extended to add feel. Over than that everything's the same Off-topic do the wheels need spigot rings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 I was told the wheels come with everything I need to fit them to my car so I will let you know when they arrive. I have had mixed opinions about clearence though. A lot of people say they have no issues with the 235 width but others say they need to roll the arches a few mm. I hope that depends on tyres as the guys with no trouble said runninf the Toyos were fine! I don't want to have to run a silly chamber so they don't touch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 I was told the wheels come with everything I need to fit them to my car so I will let you know when they arrive. I have had mixed opinions about clearence though. A lot of people say they have no issues with the 235 width but others say they need to roll the arches a few mm. I hope that depends on tyres as the guys with no trouble said runninf the Toyos were fine! I don't want to have to run a silly chamber so they don't touch! We can roll the arches for £75+ per axle if needs be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 thats if I haven't worn through my tyres on the way to yours! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 thats if I haven't worn through my tyres on the way to yours! lol Indeed...... seriously though if you think you do need it let me know because it has to be booked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Most say I wont and that you only need to roll them 2mm or so if your going to 245 width. I should know by this weekend anyway. Even if they did need rolling It is a straight motorway journey down to yours so should be too much of a problem (I Hope!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Most say I wont and that you only need to roll them 2mm or so if your going to 245 width. I should know by this weekend anyway. Even if they did need rolling It is a straight motorway journey down to yours so should be too much of a problem (I Hope!) Well like i say it would need to be booked so i'll leave this to you...... Since you now have this glorious modified car are you ready to use our NC fast road setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Fast road set-up sounds good to me. How does that differ from the normal set-up? As for the wheels someone running 235/40/18 has just told me they have no rubbing issues so I am hoping everything will be fine wiht mine on 17". Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Fast road comes in different formulas depending on the cars modifications and intended use. There tends to be two intentions from the customers. 1: Tyre preservation 2: Performance Problem is performance is not concerned with tyre life but!!..... there is a gap in between but it needs to be found, fortunately our software can imply dynamics helping us find the best positions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Sounds interesting. I would like a fast road set-up but would like to have my tyres wear equally if possible. I guess it is the chamber that causes wear on the inner edges of the tyre. Oh and the wheels are here and fitted. Love the looks and the wider stance. Fill the arches well and no rubbing so far. They even feel more comfortable that before even though the profile is just the same. Is this to do with the extra width or just different tyre manufacturers? The same Diameter but extra width: More width: Standard wheels 17"x7" with 205/45/17 tyres weighed in at 16.7 Kg each: The Ultraleggera wheels 17"x8" with 235/40/17 tyres weighed in at 18.0 Kg each: To be honest I am happy enough with this as I didn't expect to have an inch wider rim and 20mm wider tyres and actually save weight anyway. I though it could be up to an extra 2 Kg more so 1.3Kg is better than expected. I don't think the extra weight will make much difference anyway. I have some photos but they aren't very good. The car needs a wash, the bakes are rusty from sitting for 3 weeks and the photos were taken just after fitting so the suspension is sitting too high and gives the impression they are wider than the arches. It is looking much better now I have had a good drive and things have settled in and the brakes are clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarkMalbot Posted January 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Actually here is one with scrubbed brakes and settled suspension: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Nice looking wheels although staying on top of the cleaning will be a challenge. The extra width/ camber/ off-set and advancing the handling without adverse tyre wear will need careful consideration once the car's on the rig, nevertheless it will be just fine. As for the "comfort feel", i would say it's because of the better make of tyre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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