5 Stud Hub Conversion on Chimaera 4.0 for 18 Spider Alloys?
Discussion
Hi
I am fairly new to TVR ownership and purchased a nice 95 Chimaera last year. After spending the last few months getting to grips with installing a battery conditioner, adjustable suspension and new stereo system as the electrics kept blowing the current one I would like to change the wheels.
I love the look, power and feel of the car but I was a little disapointed with the 15 inch/16 inch standard alloy wheels. The previous owner had them refurbished proffesionally a month before I purchased and they have covered only 2500 miles, hence they still look fantastic, BUT, I adore the 'Spider' alloys on the later cars.
Having now 'fallen' on to full set of Spider 18's with new Toyo tyres, I could do with knowing if the following:
A) Is there an off the shelf conversion kit from 4 to 5 Stud fixing?
B) Do Ford Granada/Scorpio 5 Stud hubs fit?
C) Difficulty of completing the work?
Any help would be really appreciated......Oh, one last point is there any way of getting a decent internal/cabin temperature in cold weather? I am as hardy as they come but driving in cold conditions on a lovely bright morning does end up with me adorning a set of gloves!
Many thanks
Brett
I am fairly new to TVR ownership and purchased a nice 95 Chimaera last year. After spending the last few months getting to grips with installing a battery conditioner, adjustable suspension and new stereo system as the electrics kept blowing the current one I would like to change the wheels.
I love the look, power and feel of the car but I was a little disapointed with the 15 inch/16 inch standard alloy wheels. The previous owner had them refurbished proffesionally a month before I purchased and they have covered only 2500 miles, hence they still look fantastic, BUT, I adore the 'Spider' alloys on the later cars.
Having now 'fallen' on to full set of Spider 18's with new Toyo tyres, I could do with knowing if the following:
A) Is there an off the shelf conversion kit from 4 to 5 Stud fixing?
B) Do Ford Granada/Scorpio 5 Stud hubs fit?
C) Difficulty of completing the work?
Any help would be really appreciated......Oh, one last point is there any way of getting a decent internal/cabin temperature in cold weather? I am as hardy as they come but driving in cold conditions on a lovely bright morning does end up with me adorning a set of gloves!
Many thanks
Brett
boatfeet said:
Hi
I am fairly new to TVR ownership and purchased a nice 95 Chimaera last year. After spending the last few months getting to grips with installing a battery conditioner, adjustable suspension and new stereo system as the electrics kept blowing the current one I would like to change the wheels.
I love the look, power and feel of the car but I was a little disapointed with the 15 inch/16 inch standard alloy wheels. The previous owner had them refurbished proffesionally a month before I purchased and they have covered only 2500 miles, hence they still look fantastic, BUT, I adore the 'Spider' alloys on the later cars.
Having now 'fallen' on to full set of Spider 18's with new Toyo tyres, I could do with knowing if the following:
A) Is there an off the shelf conversion kit from 4 to 5 Stud fixing?
B) Do Ford Granada/Scorpio 5 Stud hubs fit?
C) Difficulty of completing the work?
Any help would be really appreciated......Oh, one last point is there any way of getting a decent internal/cabin temperature in cold weather? I am as hardy as they come but driving in cold conditions on a lovely bright morning does end up with me adorning a set of gloves!
Many thanks
Brett
Contact www.sportmotive.com for the converted hubs....I am fairly new to TVR ownership and purchased a nice 95 Chimaera last year. After spending the last few months getting to grips with installing a battery conditioner, adjustable suspension and new stereo system as the electrics kept blowing the current one I would like to change the wheels.
I love the look, power and feel of the car but I was a little disapointed with the 15 inch/16 inch standard alloy wheels. The previous owner had them refurbished proffesionally a month before I purchased and they have covered only 2500 miles, hence they still look fantastic, BUT, I adore the 'Spider' alloys on the later cars.
Having now 'fallen' on to full set of Spider 18's with new Toyo tyres, I could do with knowing if the following:
A) Is there an off the shelf conversion kit from 4 to 5 Stud fixing?
B) Do Ford Granada/Scorpio 5 Stud hubs fit?
C) Difficulty of completing the work?
Any help would be really appreciated......Oh, one last point is there any way of getting a decent internal/cabin temperature in cold weather? I am as hardy as they come but driving in cold conditions on a lovely bright morning does end up with me adorning a set of gloves!
Many thanks
Brett
Not quite off topic, but what effect (if any) are 18" rims with lower profile (and wider ?) tyres likely to have on the handling/cornering and grip levels of the car ? Appreciate if you get the right wheel/tyre sizes then in theory the rolling radius(s) can remain unnafected.. Greatly reduced tyre profile must mean less flexible (or more rigid) tyre walls and this must have an effect on handling.... for the better or the worse.. ?? any experience out there ?
Apologies if this appears to be a thread hijack, it's not meant to be as it's hopefully relevant to the OP's mods...
Apologies if this appears to be a thread hijack, it's not meant to be as it's hopefully relevant to the OP's mods...
Edited by Chilliman on Saturday 5th March 17:14
Edited by Chilliman on Saturday 5th March 17:17
I sold on my 18" spiders after trying them if thats what you're asking, far too snappy anywhere near the limit for my taste. If you drive like a fairy / abide by NSL / only on milk pond surfaces that may not bother you. 16 fronts & 17 rears are the best combination IMHO, but that experience requires RL7's (16+17+18s available) whereas spiders are limited to only 16 & 18"s, unless you venture ouside TVR factory wheels?
Thanks for advice all....as I do drive like a fairy sometimes the 18' Spiders will suit me fine. They really do look the best alloy wheel combo on a Chimaera in my opinion so it looks like the conversion kit will no be full steam ahead.
Really though I would be able to do it with a Ford part though.....
Really though I would be able to do it with a Ford part though.....
boatfeet said:
Really though I would be able to do it with a Ford part though.....
Maybe you can but no-one (inc TVR) has identified which part that might be? The heavy, weak, handling upsetting, big spiders, never fitted to a Chim by TVR, are a British, different PCD to the German Granada PCD.boatfeet said:
Thanks for advice all....as I do drive like a fairy sometimes the 18' Spiders will suit me fine. They really do look the best alloy wheel combo on a Chimaera in my opinion so it looks like the conversion kit will no be full steam ahead.
Isn't that a bit 'maxpower' spoiling the handling of your TVR to make it look good. Owners on here who like to have bigger wheels are happy with 18" on the rear but they max out at 17" on the front. 18" on the front is going to be undrivable on country roads and you'll have to significantly over inflate the front tyres to avoid rim-bump, that'll further increase bump steer and understeer. Have the 18" spiders got the right rolling diameter? If they've come off an S6 TVR the tyres will be wrong profile for your Chim
Sorry, meant to say 'Thought' some Ford ones would fit. As a new owner it was an idea I had and a tip from a friend who seemed to believe Ford hubs would fit.
Not sure about the Max Power or driving it like a fairy comments, I have 6 points already and seem to attract the attention of the Old Bill in my company car. With the exception of the odd mad blast I just love the sound, the comfortable position and driving it on everyday roads as much as damn possible. Had pretty much most british classics over the last 15 years but this is my first TVR so if it isn't the right thing then I have a full set of:
18' Spiders
Toyo Proxes 6-7mm Tread
Obviously For Sale if anyone wants to persuade me to sell?
Not sure about the Max Power or driving it like a fairy comments, I have 6 points already and seem to attract the attention of the Old Bill in my company car. With the exception of the odd mad blast I just love the sound, the comfortable position and driving it on everyday roads as much as damn possible. Had pretty much most british classics over the last 15 years but this is my first TVR so if it isn't the right thing then I have a full set of:
18' Spiders
Toyo Proxes 6-7mm Tread
Obviously For Sale if anyone wants to persuade me to sell?
There's also a guy in Holland that sells a kit. If you like spiders then 16" ones are probably the way to go as per the factory conversion; nb be sure to get the correct offset 16" spiders.
As for Ford hubs: the PCD is 4.5" which is the traditional PCD. There's probably a USA Ford with a hub that will fit but I wouldn't bother going down that route unless you know of a benefit.
As for Ford hubs: the PCD is 4.5" which is the traditional PCD. There's probably a USA Ford with a hub that will fit but I wouldn't bother going down that route unless you know of a benefit.
WELL, i've sat, dreamt. read and dreamed all i could about a change of wheel for the chim. Scoured the aftermarket availability, NO GOOD, nightmare... It came down to these 3 sets. RL7's. SP12's or the SPIDER conversion.
IMHO.. RL7's lovely wheel, look good, too hard to come by and cost too much.
SP12's. cheapest of the 3 options. but far too many spokes for my liking.
So i went for the SPIDERS. 18" with a full conversion kit supplied by SPORTMOTIVE. running toyo T1R tyres. Front 225/35/18 and rear 245/40/18. Keeps all the radious readings the same. They do not catch or rub any arch, fitted the steering rack stops too, so no probs with catching there either. Can't say i notice any handling problems at all.
It does look the MUTS NUTS with the spiders too, by far the best looking wheel for a TVR....
IMHO.. RL7's lovely wheel, look good, too hard to come by and cost too much.
SP12's. cheapest of the 3 options. but far too many spokes for my liking.
So i went for the SPIDERS. 18" with a full conversion kit supplied by SPORTMOTIVE. running toyo T1R tyres. Front 225/35/18 and rear 245/40/18. Keeps all the radious readings the same. They do not catch or rub any arch, fitted the steering rack stops too, so no probs with catching there either. Can't say i notice any handling problems at all.
It does look the MUTS NUTS with the spiders too, by far the best looking wheel for a TVR....
restless*native said:
WELL, i've sat, dreamt. read and dreamed all i could about a change of wheel for the chim. Scoured the aftermarket availability, NO GOOD, nightmare... It came down to these 3 sets. RL7's. SP12's or the SPIDER conversion.
IMHO.. RL7's lovely wheel, look good, too hard to come by and cost too much.
SP12's. cheapest of the 3 options. but far too many spokes for my liking.
So i went for the SPIDERS. 18" with a full conversion kit supplied by SPORTMOTIVE. running toyo T1R tyres. Front 225/35/18 and rear 245/40/18. Keeps all the radious readings the same. They do not catch or rub any arch, fitted the steering rack stops too, so no probs with catching there either. Can't say i notice any handling problems at all.
It does look the MUTS NUTS with the spiders too, by far the best looking wheel for a TVR....
IMHO.. RL7's lovely wheel, look good, too hard to come by and cost too much.
SP12's. cheapest of the 3 options. but far too many spokes for my liking.
So i went for the SPIDERS. 18" with a full conversion kit supplied by SPORTMOTIVE. running toyo T1R tyres. Front 225/35/18 and rear 245/40/18. Keeps all the radious readings the same. They do not catch or rub any arch, fitted the steering rack stops too, so no probs with catching there either. Can't say i notice any handling problems at all.
It does look the MUTS NUTS with the spiders too, by far the best looking wheel for a TVR....
'IF' you have all rear spiders of which you should, a 7mm spacer to the fronts [ideally with longer studs] will correct the offset, make it less nervous and do away with the need for any rack stops. Though just re-read and Sportmotive know their stuff but still puzzled by the rack stops??
Edited by macdeb on Sunday 6th March 21:56
macdeb said:
'IF' you have all rear spiders of which you should, a 7mm spacer to the fronts [ideally with longer studs] will correct the offset, make it less nervous and do away with the need for any rack stops. Though just re-read and Sportmotive know their stuff but still puzzled by the rack stops??Edited by macdeb on Sunday 6th March 21:56
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