Front AP kits and OZ futura
Discussion
You should NOT put spacers on the front wheels. Changing the front track will definitely affect the handling.
The AP calipers are "fatter" than the Brembo. They will collide with the spokes on the wheels. This is exactly why I think we need a kit that will retain the existing Brembo calipers and put bigger discs. The kit would be cheaper because you wouldn't have to buy new calipers and you can keep re-using the same pads.
Our existing Brembo calipers will allow for 330mm discs up front, and 320 mm rear. There is already a Lotus bracket for the rear calipers we just need one for the front. Then we need to get discs and hats that will retain the relative position of the existing discs.
I've been talking to several folks about the possibility of making such a kit. If I get any news, I'll update the group.
The AP calipers are "fatter" than the Brembo. They will collide with the spokes on the wheels. This is exactly why I think we need a kit that will retain the existing Brembo calipers and put bigger discs. The kit would be cheaper because you wouldn't have to buy new calipers and you can keep re-using the same pads.
Our existing Brembo calipers will allow for 330mm discs up front, and 320 mm rear. There is already a Lotus bracket for the rear calipers we just need one for the front. Then we need to get discs and hats that will retain the relative position of the existing discs.
I've been talking to several folks about the possibility of making such a kit. If I get any news, I'll update the group.
Thanks Karlfranz, agree with you Spacers are to be used as the last resort. I'm really curious what is the real side effect of increase the positive offset of wheel. I just remember I have a book which I bought in 1984 when I studied in the USA. This book is "HOW TO MAKE YOUR CAR HANDLE" written by Fred Puhn, 1st printed in
1976, 2nd in 1981. He said "Adding positive offset to wheels can make a car corner faster because the wider track reduces wight transfer. However, there are som side effects. On the front of the car, increased positive offset increses the distance between the steering pivots and the center of the tire. This makes the car steer harder. It also increases the loads on the steering system which increases the steering-linkage deflection, and this may require extra toe-in to compensate. All these things are undesirable, so if possible keep the front offset near stock." He also said "if necessay go ahead with small changes in offset and don't worry about bearings. It only becomes an intolerable problem with a large change in wheel offset, say more than 2 inches." He also mention if spacers have to be used special attention must be paid to the lug nuts and spacer must make full contact with wheel. So I might try positive offset for a while, let see the result. BTW if you want copy of this book, give me your address I will send a copy to you airmail from THAILAND to you at no cost. I learn a lot form your website. I read every line before I own my 1st esprit. My email is chalermsak.sugar@inet.co.th
1976, 2nd in 1981. He said "Adding positive offset to wheels can make a car corner faster because the wider track reduces wight transfer. However, there are som side effects. On the front of the car, increased positive offset increses the distance between the steering pivots and the center of the tire. This makes the car steer harder. It also increases the loads on the steering system which increases the steering-linkage deflection, and this may require extra toe-in to compensate. All these things are undesirable, so if possible keep the front offset near stock." He also said "if necessay go ahead with small changes in offset and don't worry about bearings. It only becomes an intolerable problem with a large change in wheel offset, say more than 2 inches." He also mention if spacers have to be used special attention must be paid to the lug nuts and spacer must make full contact with wheel. So I might try positive offset for a while, let see the result. BTW if you want copy of this book, give me your address I will send a copy to you airmail from THAILAND to you at no cost. I learn a lot form your website. I read every line before I own my 1st esprit. My email is chalermsak.sugar@inet.co.th
Red Devil - your best bet would be to keep your AP conversion but get yourself some V8 spec wheels. All the styles fitted to the v8 (ie AWI/ Saturn/ Nova/ Magnesio etc) will fit the ap brakes no problem. A lot of UK S4s's have V8 wheels fitted as the uk climate and salted roads in the winter takes its toll on the S4s's futura split rims.
Putting a spacer behind the front wheels would increase the scrub radius. This would tend to make the car steer easier at lower speeds and steer harder when the outside tire is loaded up in a corner. The car might tend to wander more on uneven roads and have more steering "kickback". If you have power steering, at 2mm, you might not notice a thing. If you have manual steering, it could be an interesting and worthwhile experiment.
Notice I say "TEND".
2mm ain't much.
Don't look forward to any increase in cornering power with a 4mm increase in track.
If you make some quality examples up and get tired of them, feel free to sell them to me.
Brian
Notice I say "TEND".
2mm ain't much.
Don't look forward to any increase in cornering power with a 4mm increase in track.
If you make some quality examples up and get tired of them, feel free to sell them to me.
Brian
Yes, Karlfranz, all V8 styles will fit. But it will cost me twice of AP kit. Finally I end up with spacer 5 mm from
BRABUS (Benz mod parts), made from good quality aluminium, 2 mm still too close. I will take it for a test run next week (still in garage for some engine works). If thing getting worse, my last resort is V8 wheels.
And for Brian, my 2 mm spacer is custom made from stainless steel, by my friend's machined shop, aluminium is too thin. It would be fragile. If you really want it, give me your address, I'll send it to you (send not sell). No cost, just for friend, don't worry. This is a good thing to be member in this forum.
BRABUS (Benz mod parts), made from good quality aluminium, 2 mm still too close. I will take it for a test run next week (still in garage for some engine works). If thing getting worse, my last resort is V8 wheels.
And for Brian, my 2 mm spacer is custom made from stainless steel, by my friend's machined shop, aluminium is too thin. It would be fragile. If you really want it, give me your address, I'll send it to you (send not sell). No cost, just for friend, don't worry. This is a good thing to be member in this forum.
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff