I need to buy some new wheels as it looks like I have buckled one of mine. I have seen a set on ebay 18"'s I really like but they are only 8" at the front and 8.5" at the rear which seems very narrow.

 

I know the originals were only 16" x 8" but that was surely due to the fact that was big back in the early 90's and not what is considered optimal now.

 

With people running wheels from 16" to 20" in diameter and lots of different widths, what would be the most optimal for a modern fast road - occasional track day?

anyone?

Hi Steve,

 

Hope you're ok mate.

 

Wheel size is a very "subjective" thing and what is optimum for one purpose isn't necessarily so for another.

 

There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding what is optimum. For example, unsprung weight, off set, rolling diameter, etc. I'm sure you're aware of all that.

 

If you look at your average track car, it usually runs on 17" or smaller diameter wheels. Reason for that being it influences accelleration as well as handling (less weight than say 18 or 19"). However, a wheel that is too light for the suspension setup can be detrimental to handling just the same.

 

In my experience, the best setup for "fast road" and "track" use is a 17-inch setup. Fronts around 225 width, rears no larger than 255 width. It is difficult to explain exactly why I think this but having driven cars with this setup as well as larger and smaller diameter wheels I "feel" that the 17-inch setup was right for the car I was driving (incidentally, it was a SWB TT).

 

If you really want to do it right then once you've got the wheels on the car make sure you get the geometry and alignment done to your specifications as well as getting the "corners" weight. The latter can make a big difference as it can reset the weight distribution back to a neutral handling scenario.

 

Anyway - lots of info but I'm not convinced it all makes sense. ;)

 

All the best,

 

Dan

Hey Dan,

 

Thanks for the reply - plenty to think about there...