I've Got An Idea In My Head But I Want To Check Out The Practicali

[Rich_p 23]

The supply of old 13" ford fitment wheels is cheap and plentiful, including 7" wide wheels which I would like to run to enable the use of old 13" rally tyres or slicks.

 

I also like the idea of running wider rivet on fibreglass arches on the 309 and this would allow for the wheels to stick out further and clear the calipers. (I think)

 

I also think it would look quite cool based on having seen the arches on other square 80's cars.

 

My issue is how low can I go on wheel off set or how wide can I go with hubcentric spacers before I start really effecting the cars handling & the of course the safety element too.

 

(I'm assuming I can get hubcentric spares which also fix the problem of Ford wheels having a smaller centre bore)

[Strictly_Derv 34]

The supply of old 13" ford fitment wheels is cheap and plentiful, including 7" wide wheels which I would like to run to enable the use of old 13" rally tyres or slicks.

 

I also like the idea of running wider rivet on fibreglass arches on the 309 and this would allow for the wheels to stick out further and clear the calipers. (I think)

 

I also think it would look quite cool based on having seen the arches on other square 80's cars.

 

My issue is how low can I go on wheel off set or how wide can I go with hubcentric spacers before I start really effecting the cars handling & the of course the safety element too.

 

(I'm assuming I can get hubcentric spares which also fix the problem of Ford wheels having a smaller centre bore)

 

 

I purchased a set of bolt on pug to ford 20mm spacers from a member on here. But i've been told 15mm can be done.

It's the brakes that will be a problem running 13's. I have saxo VTS/R brakes up front and with my wheels no bigger caliper will fit underneath so bear that in mind. But that depends on what spacers your using ofcourse

 

 

I like 13's on retro cars

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

For 7j wheels you want around et16 to clear a standard diameter strutt. Spacing the wheels causes all-sorts of suspension/handing issues. Hopefully one of the suspension boffins can explain the finer points but I know it ain't good.

 

I'm interested in the arch idea though as I'm considering moving to 17" wheels.

 

Al

[Baz 421]

Ackermann angles.

Edited December 7, 2011 by Baz

[welshpug 1,655]

I don't think the bubble arch looks very good on the slab sided 309 at all, needs to be something like this IMO;

 

 

best pic I could find sorry! (that's 5cm wider)

 

http://www.fastcarspares.com/styled-4/page14/page41/page41.html#ecwid:category=462591&mode=product&product=1625373

[Rich_p 23]

It's primarily to take advantage of cheaper tyres, plus I can get the arches for £65 a set as opposed to going down a dimmer or similar route with replacement wings etc

 

In some cases rubish old slab sided cars can look ok with them.

[Cameron 16]

For 7j wheels you want around et16 to clear a standard diameter strutt. Spacing the wheels causes all-sorts of suspension/handing issues. Hopefully one of the suspension boffins can explain the finer points but I know it ain't good.

 

I'm interested in the arch idea though as I'm considering moving to 17" wheels.

 

Al

 

Toe change under braking and torque steer are the big handling nasties, also heavy steering caused by jacking (raising the car when you steer) could get annoying. You also increase forces on various components which could lead to trouble.

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

Do you really need the arches, 13x7s will fit under a standard car. 8s will go with a bit of work.

[allye 530 3 Cars]

Do you really need the arches, 13x7s will fit under a standard car. 8s will go with a bit of work.

 

Are you sure? My 6inch wide rallye steel wheels poke out of base model arches, another inch would be real wide.

[Cameron 16]

GTI arches are wider!

 

I have 7" wheels with 205/15's and they fit the GTI, don't go in the base model arches though!

[allye 530 3 Cars]

Yer I appreciate gti arches are that little bit wider but didn't think 7j's would fit under!

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

Remember we're on about a 309 here gents

[welshpug 1,655]

7" fits fine if you get the offset right

 

tried 6.5" Ouragan's on mine and they had loads of space on the front, and givne the rear moves up in a straight line they were fine though fairly close.

Edited December 7, 2011 by welshpug

[Rich_p 23]

Do you really need the arches, 13x7s will fit under a standard car. 8s will go with a bit of work.

 

 

It's a case of want more than need!

[Jarrus 3]

Cut back!!! Job done....

 

Seriously though, i do like the mag lite wheel style for the 205... Something i would consider....

[Baz 421]

I have the same ideas tbh, but it's something that's never been a viable option, mainly because i can't stand/refuse to piss about with spacers etc, so they'd have to be a lucky find or a set of custom/new rims.

 

They'll fit fine though; 15x7's on a 309;

 

 

13x7 on a 309 (although it isn't settles on the floor and ignoring the balloon tyres);

 

[Jarrus 3]

the wheels in the first picture look cool, (from what I can see) any they seem to fit under there just right...

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

In a previous life my brothers 309 was lowered to the bump stops on 18x8s under standard (but rolled)arches. I'll try and find a pic.

[Tom Fenton 1,540]

13"'s you say??

 

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

Squirt

[Cameron 16]

Mmm.. I'd love a set of split rims! Seems to be quite tricky finding 15" ones though.

[Tom Fenton 1,540]

You cannot have looked very hard....!

 

http://www.force-racing.co.uk/wheels-15/

[Cameron 16]

Interesting..

[dee205 3]

How about somehting from here - http://www.superlite-wheels.com/

[Baz 421]

Or here;

 

http://www.imagewheels.co.uk/