16's on the front (again)

[Number 7]

Doing some research for a friend who has just bought another Griff 500 (unfortunately now a bit bent) which is in need of new tyres. I told him that people struggle to find a quality performance tyre in 15" (I should know, that's what the BBW runs). A bit of a search here suggests that putting 16's on the front is straightforward, and allows a choice of Proxes. Are there any pitfalls to doing this - are spacers needed, clearance probs. etc. and are the 16's that can be fitted exactly the same size all round as fitted to the rears?

Thanks.

7.

[Jay Ayegees]

No pitfalls. No spacers needed. Same 16" wheels front and back with 225/45ZR16s on front and 245/45ZR16s on the rear

[V8 GRF]

Just try finding some sensibly priced 16" Estorils.

[coetzeeh]

Jay Ayegees said:

No pitfalls. No spacers needed. Same 16" wheels front and back with 225/45ZR16s on front and 245/45ZR16s on the rear

what he said

[Johno]

Didn't you trust what I told you

[IPAddis]

coetzeeh said:

Jay Ayegees said:

No pitfalls. No spacers needed. Same 16" wheels front and back with 225/45ZR16s on front and 245/45ZR16s on the rear

what he said

This will make the wheels sit 4mm further in IIRC. The 15" front wheels are ET25 on a 7 inch rim. The 16" wheels are ET35 on a 7.5 inch rim.

http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

Ian A.

[spend]

I think that can be a tad misleading, TVR have specced various wheel styles with slightly different offsets - you have to be very careful quoting some of these figures. IIRC the geometry of the KPI is actually improved by moving the wheel centre inboard slightly. Disadvantage is possible restriction of turning circle - simple placcy rack stops which take 5 mins to fit are the answer.

Dave

[Jay Ayegees]

The extra rim/tyre width cancels out most of the offset difference.

[RacingGreen]

I fitted 16s to the front of my griff (fronts sourced from an SE). Whilst on full left lock the rim just fouls the wishbone, so obviously need either a smallish spacer or revised rack stops. Anyone had experience of this? I had been told at the growl last year that I may need 5mm spacers, and it looks like that might be right.
Wouldn't normally use full lock, but with all the "going the wrong way we'll all have to turn around" in our LeMans convoy it couldn't be avoided!!!

[Meatball]

RacingGreen said:

I fitted 16s to the front of my griff (fronts sourced from an SE). Whilst on full left lock the rim just fouls the wishbone, so obviously need either a smallish spacer or revised rack stops. Anyone had experience of this? I had been told at the growl last year that I may need 5mm spacers, and it looks like that might be right.
Wouldn't normally use full lock, but with all the "going the wrong way we'll all have to turn around" in our LeMans convoy it couldn't be avoided!!!

Same here on my chim..im going to try 3-4mm spacers this weekend.

[VictorMeldrew]

RacingGreen said:

I fitted 16s to the front of my griff (fronts sourced from an SE). Whilst on full left lock the rim just fouls the wishbone, so obviously need either a smallish spacer or revised rack stops. Anyone had experience of this? I had been told at the growl last year that I may need 5mm spacers, and it looks like that might be right.
Wouldn't normally use full lock, but with all the "going the wrong way we'll all have to turn around" in our LeMans convoy it couldn't be avoided!!!

Yes, I have SE 16" on the front of my Chim 500 too. The rims rubbed very slightly on full lock one way only when I fitted them, just enough to remove some waxoyl, nothing to worry about. Stopped doing even that when I got the toe-in set up correctly. Maybe I was lucky?

Edited by VictorMeldrew on Wednesday 27th June 19:21

[Meatball]

does power steering make any difference?

[Number 7]

Thanks all - next silly question: where do you get the spacers, or do people fabricate their own?

7.

[Jay Ayegees]

Any good Motor Factors should have them - about 15 quid.

Jay

[spend]

Plastic lock stops will cost lot less than that, even the genuine ones. Losing a tiny bit of lock is not a disaster.

Dave

[scorcher]

Personally I think the wheels lok a bit "lost" with the 35mm offset .They sit too far in and look out of porportion with the rear ones.I'd use a 4/5mm spacer to push them back out.

[DustyC]

RacingGreen said:

I fitted 16s to the front of my griff (fronts sourced from an SE). Whilst on full left lock the rim just fouls the wishbone, so obviously need either a smallish spacer or revised rack stops. Anyone had experience of this? I had been told at the growl last year that I may need 5mm spacers, and it looks like that might be right.
Wouldn't normally use full lock, but with all the "going the wrong way we'll all have to turn around" in our LeMans convoy it couldn't be avoided!!!

Didn't anyone else notice this? 1 post in 69months!
Welcome to PH mate!!!

[Pasco]

DustyC said:

RacingGreen said:

I fitted 16s to the front of my griff (fronts sourced from an SE). Whilst on full left lock the rim just fouls the wishbone, so obviously need either a smallish spacer or revised rack stops. Anyone had experience of this? I had been told at the growl last year that I may need 5mm spacers, and it looks like that might be right.
Wouldn't normally use full lock, but with all the "going the wrong way we'll all have to turn around" in our LeMans convoy it couldn't be avoided!!!

Didn't anyone else notice this? 1 post in 69months!
Welcome to PH mate!!!

Yep answer will be in four and a half years time dusty

[RacingGreen]

Yes I know, a long time coming, and it's so easy to join in!!! Come on all you lurkers, this lot are very friendly!

[Seasider]

Meatball said:

does power steering make any difference?

Makes the steering a bit lighter