Wheels

[Stilly]

Morning all,

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice on the following.

I am looking at fitting a new Steering wheel. I need to establish what the Griff column is from - mine is an 01 500 SE if that makes a difference. Pretty sure its a Vauxhall 'tilt' column but what model Vauxhall - any ideas?

Also changing the wheels. Anybody know if you can get a 9J x 18 rear under a Griff arch and if so what width tyre can you run. I will be having them machined to correct offset of 37.5mm if that is a factor? I would ideally not want 'ultra' low profile as I think a bit of sidewall will help maintain the ride. Preference would be 245/40/18 - anyone done this? Car is currently running 245/45/16 rear tyres and 225/45/16 front tyres on 7.5J x 16 Estorils all round. I am thinking of 8J x17 on 25mm offset for the front with a 225/40/17. The car is on Nitrons and the ride is just lovely (thanks Track Car) - so I thought I would ruin it all for the sake of the looks....

Thanks in advance for any help.

Best regards

[richb]

Hi Stilly, i) the rear 245 x 18 with a 35 profile has exactly the same rolling radius as the 245 40 x 16 whilst the 40 profile is 4% larger. ii) You may find a 9” rim is wide for the rear, I also have Nitrons and 18” wheels and there’s not a lot of space between the tyre and the inside lip of the rear wheel arch since it was lowered about 20mm. perhaps you can get your chosen rims in 8 ½” - mind you it’s the tyre that would rub not the rim! iii) 8J x 17” fronts are what I have on my Griff so I know they fit but I have 35mm offset that said mine rub the lower wishbones very slightly on full lock so perhaps 25mm would be better or maybe compromise at 30mm? iv) Regards the front tyres I don’t think you will find anyone makes a 225 40 x 17 tyre. I have 215 40 x 17 Bridgestone’s that need replacing so I was looking at this on Black Circles yesterday and I think in a 17” dia. you will only find 215 or 235 width? Have fun! Rich…

[barreti]

Momo do a steering wheel boss to fit the column. If it's any use I'll get the reference from the box when I get home.

[stilly]

Thanks Rich,

You look to have pulled off the Griff wheel upgrade perfectly. To my eyes its an older style car and needs to keep the arches full of tyre. some wheel upgrades seem to end up with a lot of space under the arches and I understand the more tyre wall left the better as the Griff needs its tall tyres as part of its suspension set up.

I am trying to make it more of a 'GT' car so ride is an issue. I am keeping the standard ride height so if a 255 x 40 x 18 was only a 4% increase I could live with this providing it will fit. Offsets are such a headache - ideally I thought I would keep the factory offset the same at 25mm fr and 37.5mm rear - only to find out that SE models had 'rear' wheels all round so 37.5mm or 35mm depending on whom you talk to...This was because they had run out of fronts by then! Mine drives very nicely, but I assume when the car was designed they picked 25mm offset at the front for a good reason? I must say that if the 9J rear will fit I am tempted as the design fills the rear arches really nicely. For reference, I saw a picture of 'Ashton Consulting' racing Griff at the Growl and that looked to have really wide rear rims on it, don't supose that car owner is on PH to confirm what they are?

Finally does a 235 go on the front without catching do you know?

Regards

[Griffter]

By my calculations, the 245/40/18 combination will be over 2.5cm greater in diameter. Not only will your car be half an inch higher, but the speedo would under read by 4%.

The standard steering wheel boss is 'Personal'. Wheels from Nardi, Personal and Raid should fit straight on. Or you can change to a boss for a Momo/Sparco/OMP which will allow the fitment of wheels from any of those sources. Column is Cavalier (89-95 or so).

[stilly]

235 x 35 x 18 on the rear it is then!

Thanks chaps, the steering wheel info is also appreciated. I will post some pictures when the work is finished.

[richb]

Griffter said:

By my calculations, the 245/40/18 combination will be over 2.5cm greater in diameter. Not only will your car be half an inch higher, but the speedo would under read by 4%.

Which is why the 245/35x18 is the perfect match... you should be ok as you have Nitrons which can be clicked back a few stops softer. Also don't forget different tyres have different stiffness sidewalls. Apparently the Bridgestones are harder.

There's a good tyre size calculator on Steve Heath's web site, it only covers 15" & 16" size rims but if you download it to Excel you can easily extend to 17" & 18" Tyre size calculator

Edited by richb on Tuesday 15th August 13:33

[Seasider]

Stilly, what tyres are you going for ? The Toyo site has exact Dia listed you might find tyres differ with manufactures.

[stilly]

Toyos as Factory seem to like them. do oyu have that website address?

Thanks Seasider

[richb]

Don't forget that what the factory liked was to a degree influenced by sponsorship of the Tuscan Challenge series. Bridgestone then Toyo, not sure what TVR fit now, anyone?

[Seasider]

stilly said:

Toyos as Factory seem to like them. do oyu have that website address?

Thanks Seasider

Clicky Also call and ask for technical speak to John IIRC very helpful then order R888

Also the cheapest place to buy Toyo's is
clicky again Steve mention Silver Griff

Thats two beers you owe me

[scoule]

I fitted my new wheels last night ...

www.apcs77.dsl.pipex.com/NewWheels.jpg

215/40 17 front on 7x17 ET25, 245/35 18 rear on 8x18 ET35, the rolling radius is pretty much identical to standard ... Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 with Toyo T1-R's all round. Surprisingly, the ride seems little changed compared to the original wheels, turn in is definitely sharper.

I'm still on the original front shocks (45k) and rear shocks (25k ), standard bilsteins.

Each new front wheel & tyre assembly is 5.5lbs lighter than the original 15" with 3mm tread left. The difference is probably more like 6.5/7 lbs if comparing with a new 205/55 15 tyre. I forgot to weigh the rear, DOH!

I've got that "new owner" feeling all over again .. can't help going outside to look at the car!

[pete500]

I have 255/40-17 on the rear. Inpress 40mm on 8,5" wide rim. Gives zero clearance between tire and arc. pete

[barreti]

barreti said:

Momo do a steering wheel boss to fit the column. If it's any use I'll get the reference from the box when I get home.

Can't read the code on the box - sorry.
However, I've found the email for the order. I asked for "a Momo boss for the Momo Fighter steering wheel to attach it to a 1992 TVR Griffith 4.3 with no airbag and compatible with a vauxhall column (but not sure)"
Got a reply saying it was £43.50 incl post and give Jack a call on 0208 882 2206 to order.
I had a couple of chats with Jack, he knows what he is talking about and got it right first time.

Hope this helps.

[LastLawyer]

just try this: www.jennyxxx.de/

sounds strange and somehow like some kind of pornsite. but it´s just a very good tyre and especially rim-calculator. it also shows the correct dimensions and the offsets and even mentions the needed spacer. but its in german so i hope it will be helpfull.

regards
LastLawyer

[LastLawyer]

@ scoule: nice rims, what make ?