Pics of Chimaeras with after-market alloys

[RobXjcoupe]

I know it’s a Griff but my wheels are relatively small compared to some. Staggered fit as in width. Standard offsets also. I think the rears could do with going a little wider. Mine are only 8j but the tyres being 245 do give the rim a bit of protection

[Rocket Science]

andrew_r said:

Finally fitted… 18 inch all round.



Andrew.

Hi,

Would you be able to confirm what the specs of your 18" RL7's are, ie widths and offsets?.

Many thanks,
Simon.

[andrew_r]

Hi Simon,

My RL7 wheels are 18 x 8, ET 33. I managed to find them on an Escort RS Cosworth forum.

Best regards, Andrew.

[phazed]

They are rare but you can get TVR supplied 18 inch wheels with the correct offset if you can find them!

My track day Wheels were 17 inch front and 18 inch rear since sold to another TVR owner.

I believe they were only supplied for the cerb.

[andrew_r]

phazed said:

They are rare but you can get TVR supplied 18 inch wheels with the correct offset if you can find them!

My track day Wheels were 17 inch front and 18 inch rear since sold to another TVR owner.

I believe they were only supplied for the cerb.

Only if you convert to 5 stud too!

Andrew.

[andrew_r]

Looks even better with the Gaz Mono’s fitted!



Andrew

[Rocket Science]

Hi Andrew,
Many thanks for the info on the wheels.
Boy, does that car look good.
They appear to be a very hard set of wheels to find, be it 17's or 18's, never mind having the 4x108 stud pattern.
With that width and offset were there any mods required at the front ?
Simon.

[Yogioes]

With all you guys with your fancy new wheels, this seems like a good place to ask.
I am looking for two 15” Imola wheels for the front of my Chimaera.
Anybody got any for sale?

Thanks

[indigochim]

I have a spare pair in the shed. I can try and take some pics over the weekend. I bought a complete set when I wanted a pair of 16" for the front.

[andrew_r]

Rocket Science said:

Hi Andrew,
Many thanks for the info on the wheels.
Boy, does that car look good.
They appear to be a very hard set of wheels to find, be it 17's or 18's, never mind having the 4x108 stud pattern.
With that width and offset were there any mods required at the front ?
Simon.

Yes I was looking for a long time, I came across quite a few bad sets in very poor condition, some having been welded after cracks. So be careful when looking.

My ideal set up was 18s at the rear, and 17 at the front, but 18s all round works fine for me too, no mods required. I have tried 7mm spacers all round which brought the wheels out to sit in line with the edge of the wheel arch and realty happy with the appearance.

I’ve taken it round Goodwood and it felt fantastic, and even with no PAS, the steering doesn’t feel any heavier than it did with my original 15 inch 205 tyres. For reference I’m running 225 on the front, and 245 on the rear - Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5.

Andrew.

[Rocket Science]

Great info Andrew, thanks.
Was it all round with the 7mm spacers, or just the fronts ?
One other thing - what sidewall ratios are you using on the 225 & 245 tyres ?
Cheers,
Simon.

[Yogioes]

indigochim said:

I have a spare pair in the shed. I can try and take some pics over the weekend. I bought a complete set when I wanted a pair of 16" for the front.

I’m interested……
Although this just adds to my confusion.
I bought my car with 15” and 16” Estorils fitted.
However, it came with a set of four 16” Imolas which I think were what was on the car when the previous owner purchased it.

The handbook for the car states that it should be 15” front and 16” rear.
Which is what I was going for.
I prefer the Imola wheels over the Estorils.

You changed from 15” to 16” for the front.
Can I ask why?
And assuming you have had time to reflect, was it an improvement?

My car is a 2002 Chimaera 450 with PAS.

Thanks

[QBee]

Some people change to 16 inch fronts to enable bigger front brakes to be fitted.

[Zeb74]

QBee said:

Some people change to 16 inch fronts to enable bigger front brakes to be fitted.

I'm planning to have 16 inch fronts also (already have the rims and the tires), just need the 7mm spacer and to finish to ruin the current rubber.
This is not for the bigger brakes but because this is harder and harder to find tires in 15 inches with the appropriate characteristics (in France at least).

[Rocket Science]

andrew_r said:

7mm spacers all round

Andrew.

Sorry, just noticed this

[QBee]

Do make sure you have enough turns on the wheel nuts. You will be about at the safe limit with 7mm spacers fitted. 10mm you would definitely need longer studs.

I speak from experience - I have had a wheel come clean off my car trailer before now, after fitting 5mm spacers to give clearance for larger tyres.
It wouldn't have been so much of a concern if I had been on the way to the tip, but I had my TVR on the trailer at the time and was doing 50 mph.

[andrew_r]

Rocket Science said:

Great info Andrew, thanks.
Was it all round with the 7mm spacers, or just the fronts ?
One other thing - what sidewall ratios are you using on the 225 & 245 tyres ?
Cheers,
Simon.

225/35/18 on the front, and 245/35/18 on the rear.

I wouldn't advise going any wider than 245 on an 8J wheel.

Andrew.

[Rocket Science]

andrew_r said:

225/35/18 on the front, and 245/35/18 on the rear.

I wouldn't advise going any wider than 245 on an 8J wheel.

Andrew.

Excellent Andrew, thanks.

[TA14]

QBee said:

Some people change to 16 inch fronts to enable bigger front brakes to be fitted.

Does it make tyre availability better? The run out Chims were on 16s all round.

[QBee]

TA14 said:

QBee said:

Some people change to 16 inch fronts to enable bigger front brakes to be fitted.

Does it make tyre availability better? The run out Chims were on 16s all round.

I gather there is that point too - I use 17 inch wheels to house bigger brakes, so am not up to date on that aspect.