Wheels sizes.... thinking for going SP12's (17"F, 18"R)

[SeiW500]

Been thinking about brakes, shox, wheel combos for a few weeks and am considering going with this set-up
SP12's 17×7 fronts 18×8 rears with 225/40R17 / 255/35R18 Toyo R1R's
Brembo E38 calipers with 324mm Ford disc's
Nirton shox

The car will be mainly fast-road/track-day.

Only real worry is that i'll fook up the ride quality?

Any experience of this set up on here??

Thanks

Andy

[The AJP Griff]

Yes, I've run an 18/17 combination for years and It transforms the handling so much. Singly its probably the best mod I've ever done (and I've done quite a few!) Your front size is good but try to get wider on the rear if you can. A 9" rear et40 is the way to go and they should just get in the arches with 265 tyres.
I now run 7" et 23 on the front with those rears. Changing the wheels and tyres like this did more for the handling than any of the shocks Ive tried, stock,nitron, protec or gaz. That said it just gets better if you can also have a quality shock like Niton to go with it.

[gammav]

I have SP12 TOYO T1R 215/40/R17 Front and 245/35/R18 on the rear... never been near a track but world of difference compared to the Estorils on the road. Ride is fine, steering feels lighter, more precise with less tram lining.. in fact almost none.

The Estorils also had TOYO T1R ... (225/55R15 on the front if memory serves) and even with power steering always felt I was fighting with it.

The overall weight of the SP 12 rims/tyres was significantly less so un-sprung weight is improved.

[QBee]

If you, like me, find wide tyres tricky to fit without catching, a set up that works with these wheels is 215/45 17 fronts and 235/40 18 rears. Gives you the one inch front to rear "stance" and hence the ride heights and handling work.

As for ride etc, as said above that is managed by your dampers and springs. I am now on Racing Reds, which you cannot now buy, but were made by Nitron. Nuff said. Quality dampers are the way to go, road or track.

Ps I have those size disks too - good call!

PPS you are welcome to try driving my Chimaera.

Edited by QBee on Saturday 13th August 21:18

[QBee]

I think there is a a Chim owner in your area. KateV8 on here. They have 17/18 SP12s and Nitrons on their SC Chim 450 and live in your county. If you can track them down they would probably be happy to meet up - decent enthusiastic people.

[MPO]

The AJP Griff said:

Yes, I've run an 18/17 combination for years and It transforms the handling so much. Singly its probably the best mod I've ever done (and I've done quite a few!) Your front size is good but try to get wider on the rear if you can. A 9" rear et40 is the way to go and they should just get in the arches with 265 tyres.
I now run 7" et 23 on the front with those rears. Changing the wheels and tyres like this did more for the handling than any of the shocks Ive tried, stock,nitron, protec or gaz. That said it just gets better if you can also have a quality shock like Niton to go with it.

Got any Pic's of your wheels brand?

Cheers

MPO

[Ricko]

I have run 18/17 for years. Toyo t1r proxes. Feels much better. I don't spare the horses either. It's predictable and controllable under heavy throttle and cornering. I ended up with wolf race purely because at the time it was what was available.

[The AJP Griff]

MPO said:

Got any Pic's of your wheels brand?

Cheers

MPO

I dont to hand at the moment but they are compomotive mo6. If you google it youll find one or two griffs have had them.If you look into it you will be able to choose widths and offsets to suit.I chose a 9 inch et40 rear as I wanted to try a wide tyre but with the option of still fitting a 245 if i chose to go back, which would only need a small spacer to get back to somewhere near std offset too. As it is I stuck with the 265's and havent looked back.

[SeiW500]

Thanks, i'll see if i can get hold of KateV8

[KateV8]

Hi, Kate V8 that would be us then (Kate is the car). Yes we do have SP12'S on 18" rears and 17" fronts. The car doesn't do track days but does do touring and some fast road. The ride and handling are superb (we think) although I've only ever driven one TVR, this one! However we have had the car on standard wheels and three different makes of damper on the SP's and the Nitrons are far and away the best (Gaz Golds too hard, Bilsteins too soft but that's just our personal taste).Mind you, Dom from Powers has driven Kate and was very complimentary over the handling, god knows how many TVR's he's driven. We're in Cheshire near Warrington so if you're local you are welcome to drop in and have a ride in our car.

[pjac67]

Same set up here on 18/17 TD's/Nitrons/Rainsport 3's, handling is sublime...

[KateV8]

Yes forgot to say, we're on Rainsport 3's too. Great combination with the SP's and Nitrons.

[SeiW500]

Did you go team dynamics?
If so what sizes/offsets
17x7"(F) 225/40R17???
&
18x8"(R) 255/35R18???