I've just got hold of some 13" minilite replicas with some nice R888 rubber attached. I put them on the car before buying and they fit ok.
They are ET -7 on a 7J wide rim. My existing wheels are ET 18 on a 6J rim, so they stick out a bit and would not pass an MOT at a guess and they will rub at full lock. But as I'm only going to use them for trackdays I'm not too concerned about that as I'll hopefully not be doing too many tight 3 point turns.... My ride height is also high enough I imagine they are no where near rubbing on the arches.
My only thoughts are to what effect, if any, will they have opn the handling? Is the wider track better or should I look at flogging the rims and getting the correct offset?
CMA wrote:I've just got hold of some 13" minilite replicas with some nice R888 rubber attached. I put them on the car before buying and they fit ok.
They are ET -7 on a 7J wide rim. My existing wheels are ET 18 on a 6J rim, so they stick out a bit and would not pass an MOT at a guess and they will rub at full lock. But as I'm only going to use them for trackdays I'm not too concerned about that as I'll hopefully not be doing too many tight 3 point turns.... My ride height is also high enough I imagine they are no where near rubbing on the arches.
My only thoughts are to what effect, if any, will they have opn the handling? Is the wider track better or should I look at flogging the rims and getting the correct offset?
Wider track equals easier cornering/less roll , so allowing faster corner entry/ exit Looking at the photo I'd guess the rake isn't enough for ideal handling ------ what's the difference between front(lowest) and rear height under seatpan(ally to steel join) when you are seated in the car
I just love the Stylus but she keeps swallowing £££ ! Alfa Red 159 2.4 jtdm ti 260bhp 365lbft / BilsteinB12 + Adjustable Powerflex camber/castor bushes. Red STYLUS 2lt zetec 231bhp 185lbft Dunnell . RED 1972 Alfa 2lt GTAm replica 170bhp.
I am running the same wheels. Not a flash though - just plane black. I had to fit arch extensions. I have used the MX5 bolt on ones that are sold on ebay, as these are aesy to just screw on. But they are a touch to wide. Robs method of extending the arches is very neat but requires a weekend.
The width on the rear is no problem. On the front it makes steering harder at parking speed, but I have no problems on the go. I think it's because the new tyre contact patch is moved away from the kingpin swivel & the 2 swivel points are perhaps fighting each other.
Just like to point out that I dont run on the road very often so whilst I am happy to live with it, this may not be ideal for you.
One plan is to get a set of different offsets just for the front. And if you need a wider track to extend the wishbones. Modern Westfield owners use steering rack extensions for the new wider track.
Thanks for the replies. I only intend to use these on the road while going to and from the few track days I do. So for all the other times the normal ones will be back on.
Ideally wheel arch mods would be nice but I have no glassing skills and don't want to splash out for a respray. So they will stay as is. If they are a problem then I'll just get some rims with the right offset and sell these on.
Regarding the rake Rob, it is currently just slightly oversteery as it stands, any more rake and it becomes more and more oversteery, if anything I need another 1/2 to 1 turn higher on the front shocks, which I will try at the next track day.
I haven't measured the rake since tweaking the front higher at the last track day and that brought the back under control really well. And as per my previous posts I've always measured rake on the rear of the seat pan not the ally/steel join as thats where I thought you told me to do it (plus it's far easier to measure with a steel rule)
It doesn't matter where the rear's measured really , only that if we all measure at the same spot THEN any advice I give a comparison can be made. Your position for measuring will obviously read a higher level than mine for the same setting ie. If mine was 23mm then yours may well be 27mm for the exact same setting.
Just keep a record of YOUR settings at your positions then the handling it gives/place/date = job done. You'll find it useful as the years progress
I just love the Stylus but she keeps swallowing £££ ! Alfa Red 159 2.4 jtdm ti 260bhp 365lbft / BilsteinB12 + Adjustable Powerflex camber/castor bushes. Red STYLUS 2lt zetec 231bhp 185lbft Dunnell . RED 1972 Alfa 2lt GTAm replica 170bhp.
Just remembered the other reason I don't measure under the seat pan where ally joins steel is that I have a piece of box fixed under there. But on the passenger side it is not under the car but in the passenger seat area.
Is this a standard piece of chassis or some bodge by the builder?
I just love the Stylus but she keeps swallowing £££ ! Alfa Red 159 2.4 jtdm ti 260bhp 365lbft / BilsteinB12 + Adjustable Powerflex camber/castor bushes. Red STYLUS 2lt zetec 231bhp 185lbft Dunnell . RED 1972 Alfa 2lt GTAm replica 170bhp.
CMA wrote:Just remembered the other reason I don't measure under the seat pan where ally joins steel is that I have a piece of box fixed under there. But on the passenger side it is not under the car but in the passenger seat area.
Is this a standard piece of chassis or some bodge by the builder?
Will get some pics if my description isn't clear.
Mine has always been like yours too, and is as supplied by SSC.
Means the drivers side has flat floor & can have a seat on runners for different drivers.
Passenger side has the box on the top side & the seat has to be fixed.
My rear reference point is the corner of the seat pan/seat back (where panhard bolts-on on passenger side), but that's just me.
SSC Stylus Integrale Turbo16V
Kit 1999, OTR 2002, and still tweaking....
Had a run out with the new wheels on last night to check they dont rub anywhere under braking/cornering and they seem ok.
But bug*** me, these R888s stick like **** to a blanket and they were cold on cold roads. Make my Toyo T1Rs seem rubbish.
Cant wait to really give them some heat on my next track day (29th July @ Blyton) Lets hope it survives another trip to the rolling road on Saturday so I can find out......
CMA wrote:Had a run out with the new wheels on last night to check they dont rub anywhere under braking/cornering and they seem ok.
But bug*** me, these R888s stick like **** to a blanket and they were cold on cold roads. Make my Toyo T1Rs seem rubbish.
Cant wait to really give them some heat on my next track day (29th July @ Blyton) Lets hope it survives another trip to the rolling road on Saturday so I can find out......
They'll be at their best once down to 4mm's and keep on right down to nearly no tread BUT wont last long on road with high mileage also be careful in the wet as grip is limited. Don't forget your tyre pressures just before each session , they'll go up 2 to 4 psi after 6 or 8 laps & 17psi is optimum . Pop them back up after they've cooled down for going home. Mine are often 12 to 15psi the next day once cooled but she's on the trailer so not a risk
I just love the Stylus but she keeps swallowing £££ ! Alfa Red 159 2.4 jtdm ti 260bhp 365lbft / BilsteinB12 + Adjustable Powerflex camber/castor bushes. Red STYLUS 2lt zetec 231bhp 185lbft Dunnell . RED 1972 Alfa 2lt GTAm replica 170bhp.
My ride height is also high enough I imagine they are no where near rubbing on the arches.
Looking at the photo I'd guess the rake isn't enough for ideal handling ------ what's the difference between front(lowest) and rear height under seatpan(ally to steel join) when you are seated in the car 
