New Alloys Wheel Size

[mgman50]

I've read all the threads on alloy wheel changes to the chim especially about changing to 16 inch or 17 inch all round. I'm thinking of going to 16 inch as I feel as my car does not have power steering that it will keep the front easier to manhandle when parking. Can anyone advise what are the effects on speedo calibration, if any in switching to 16 inch fronts. Also are there any problems with clearing the bodywork at the front. The same questions are asked for the 17 inch conversion.

[Stevie Mojo]

Changing the fronts will have no effect on the speedo.

[spend]

Check your speedo - it may have sensor above diff (with ecu driven by gearbox take off) - and be calibrated with grub screw on speedo.

Early cars have some advantages :-)

Dave

[jsr]

It's possible to fit 17's and keep (almost) exactly the same overall wheel dimensions - i.e. larger rim, but lower profile tyres.

Been looking into 17's myself and i think 215/40x17 front and 245/17x40 rear keep the overall height of the wheel pretty much the same.

Take a look at Toyo's website - they have a tyre size calculator.

[GreenV8S]

You need to make sure you keep the same width and inset too, but this is just a matter of measuring what you have and matching them. Going to lower profile tyres will have other effects which may be harder to predict and measure. Lower profile tyres have less sidewall flex so they are stiffer sideways and more sensitive to camber changes. This affects the ride comfort and handing. People have described Toyos as being relatively stiff tyres to start with so this would exagerate the effect. Going from 15/16 to 16/17 is not a dramatic change so the effects are unlikely to be dramatic, but it is worth bearing in mind that there probably *will* be some loss of ride comfort and some change to the handling.

[Ribol]

If you are going 16" F&R using Chim/Griff rims then the fronts tyres need to be no bigger than 225/45ZR16 and you will need rack stops fitted to stop the wheels fouling. This also gives you the turning circle of a Boeing 747.
Rears can be either 225/50ZR16 or 245/45ZR16 to keep the speedo happy.

Ivan