Pics of Chimaeras with after-market alloys

[s p a c e m a n]

Changing stud length on standard hubs is a doddle and takes less than 10 minutes a corner if you've got a big hammer, using spacers is not a reason to discount a wheel setup as long as you're using proper concentric spacers and not just a random flat disk with holes in it

[QBee]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think you mean hubcentric spacers.
They will go round in ever decreasing circles trying to find concentric spacers

[s p a c e m a n]

I'd reply with something about Richard Briers or the good life but I'm tired and have nothing

[indigochim]

Yogioes said:

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……

......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.

As other's have said the later cars had 16" all around yours are probably original.

Yogioes said:

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?

I have fitted bigger brakes but ones that fit under the 15" Imola wheels. I upped the rim size because the choice of tyre fitment in the correct speed rating was limited for the 15" Wheels I kept to the width/diameter of the tyres from the 15" wheels. I think the huge improvement I got after swapping is pretty much all down to replacing ancient tyres previously fitted. I haven't had any issues with them that's for sure.

[Yogioes]

More dilemmas.
Part of my wish to get the 15” wheels for the front is that the car came with a new pair of Toyos in 205/50/15

Perhaps I should just stick with my 16” wheels for the front.

What size of tyres did you go with for the front?

[indigochim]

Yogioes said:

More dilemmas. Part of my wish to get the 15” wheels for the front is that the car came with a new pair of Toyos in 205/50/15

I went for 205/50 R16 as they're less than 5mm greater diameter over the 205/55 R15's that where standard on the fronts. I think other people have gone for 205/50/15 but they're 20mm smaller diameter. I'd check the dates on the "new" Toyo's too before thinking of using them and personally I'd not bother with the 15" wheel hunt I think you're right with what you have. I also agree that the Imola wheels look better than the Estoril ones IMHO.

[Yogioes]

The new Toyos are dated week 46 2020.
I was a bit concerned with the smaller profile giving a smaller diameter.

I think I’ll try and move them on before they get any older.

And I’ll start looking for new tyres for my 16” wheels.

Thank you for your responses

[indigochim]

You're welcome. You'll find more variety and probably better prices for tyres for the 16" wheels.

[Zeb74]

indigochim said:

I went for 205/50 R16 as they're less than 5mm greater diameter over the 205/55 R15's that where standard on the fronts. I think other people have gone for 205/50/15 but they're 20mm smaller diameter. I'd check the dates on the "new" Toyo's too before thinking of using them and personally I'd not bother with the 15" wheel hunt I think you're right with what you have. I also agree that the Imola wheels look better than the Estoril ones IMHO.

I took also the 205/70R16 for the front. Good to know that I'm not alone :-).
As I was saying few posts before, I'm going to put 7mm spacers, is it the size you used? And what about the studs? Do you changed them or you had enough threads?

[indigochim]

From memory I went for 5mm hub centric spacers but I think you actually really want 8mm 4x108 PCD I think the offset of the 16" wheel is 33mm and the 15" is 25mm. You may or may not require longer studs for those. I bought extra long nuts but didn't fit them as I didn't need them and I wasn't convinced of the quality.

[QBee]

indigochim said:

From memory I went for 5mm hub centric spacers but I think you actually really want 8mm 4x108 PCD I think the offset of the 16" wheel is 33mm and the 15" is 25mm. You may or may not require longer studs for those. I bought extra long nuts but didn't fit them as I didn't need them and I wasn't convinced of the quality.

With 8mm spacers i would strongly recommend longer studs. Say go for 10mm longer for safety, You really don't want a wheel coming off.

[sixor8]

I'd have thought 5mm spacers would be sufficient. No need for longer wheel studs then.

This would bring the offset down from 33 to 28. The tyre edge would of course, be 3mm further into the wheel arch, but since many owners' front wheels have 225/50 tyres fitted, and you're using 205mm wide tyres, it shouldn't be a problem.

The later runout Chimaeras had 16" all round, were spacers used? Or were the front ones produced with a different offset to the rears?

[KarlMac]

Cats said:

My oh my, not mine but this is absolutely stunning and by far the best looking option of wheel imo.

Does anyone have any experience with running these wheels on a Chim? Assuming fitment is ok with regards to scraping etc… but the ride is a bit more fidgety?

Edit - just realised that the Spiders are 5 stud, so is it adaptors or replacement hubs?

Edited by KarlMac on Friday 20th May 15:52

[QBee]

KarlMac said:

Does anyone have any experience with running these wheels on a Chim? Assuming fitment is ok with regards to scraping etc… but the ride is a bit more fidgety?

Edit - just realised that the Spiders are 5 stud, so is it adaptors or replacement hubs?

Edited by KarlMac on Friday 20th May 15:52

Replacement, or re-drilled, hubs.
They have a reputation for having been manufactured by Cadbury's.

[phazed]

TVR alternatives are the RL7 5 stud. Stronger wheels but all a matter of taste.

See my car posted previously.
Spyders do look good though.

[macdeb]

KarlMac said:

Cats said:

My oh my, not mine but this is absolutely stunning and by far the best looking option of wheel imo.

Does anyone have any experience with running these wheels on a Chim? Assuming fitment is ok with regards to scraping etc… but the ride is a bit more fidgety?

Edit - just realised that the Spiders are 5 stud, so is it adaptors or replacement hubs?

Edited by KarlMac on Friday 20th May 15:52

I do believe that's my old car! Yes, five stud conversion hubs and 8mm spacers to front (milled down from 10), no rubbing issues though this pic looks close going down Stelvio pass in Switzerland. Should've kept it.

[KarlMac]

macdeb said:

I do believe that's my old car! Yes, five stud conversion hubs and 8mm spacers to front (milled down from 10), no rubbing issues though this pic looks close going down Stelvio pass in Switzerland. Should've kept it.

That looks bloody amazing! I’m going to try hubcentric adaptors before I get involved with swapping hubs around. It would be nice to keep the spiders for show wheels and run around day to day on the normal Chim alloys.

[BarnFind]

If you want to keep OEM these are early Tuscan Wheels

[phazed]

Maybe it is because they are all a Chim, they don’t look familiar.

[DangerousDerek]

phazed said:

Maybe it is because they are all a Chim, they don’t look familiar.

Hi Peter i tried emailing you regarding that engine. Will give you a call tonight