Going for the spider conversion

[justinbaker]

Hi all,

I have manaed to pik up a set of 18" 5 stud spiders, and now want to go for the best solution for a hub brake upgrade on my 1995 Chimaera. I have the information on the conversions that other managed and it seems straight forward. I need for next MOT to change one of my front wheel bearings so this conversion has to move along quite quick.
Has anyone any cosworth / granada hubs disks etc for sale that will help me?

Many thants.

Justin

[Corin Denton]

justinbaker said:

Hi all, I have manaed to pik up a set of 18" 5 stud spiders, and now want to go for the best solution for a hub brake upgrade on my 1995 Chimaera. I have the information on the conversions that other managed and it seems straight forward. I need for next MOT to change one of my front wheel bearings so this conversion has to move along quite quick. Has anyone any cosworth / granada hubs disks etc for sale that will help me? Many thants. Justin

I would try and speak to Mel , he's done his own conversion, he might be able to help.

[tvrbob]

I've just acquired the complete 16" Spider conversion from TVR. Thought the wheels are smaller the rest of the kit, hubs brakes, brackets, etc. are right for your proposed conversion. There is an instruction sheet and parts list with it that may be of use. If you'd like a copy e-mail me through my profile and I'll forward a pdf for you.

[jsr]

tvrbob said:

I've just acquired the complete 16" Spider conversion from TVR

Is the factory still offering the conversion or have you had these on order for some time?

I want 16" anthracite spiders on mine - see here for an image of what they would look like.

[tvrbob]

jsr said:

Is the factory still offering the conversion or have you had these on order for some time?

The kit has been stopped several times in the past and for several reasons. The current position is that Neill Anderson has left and so this kit offer has no owner inside TVR though they do intend to appoint someone to relaunch the offer. TVR currently have two sourcing issues. Firstly they only have a handful of converted hubs and they are unwilling to source tyres, business politics at play. Neill, before he left, agreed to supply me the kit at full price but with a second set of rims to compensate for their inability to source tyres. I ordered one set of silver and one set of anthracite. I doubt anyone in TVR will be ready to pick this up in the short term but TVR do still have a problem with overstock of these wheels so my guess is they'll do something next year. It is worth contacting them by phone. My persistence is what got this kit to me.

BTW I do like the link above, very seasonable and appropriate.

[tiger6791]

I want some 16in spiders, how much do they cost?

[tvrbob]

tiger6791 said:

I want some 16in spiders, how much do they cost?

The kit is £1,599 Which, considering you get wheels, four pot JPS brakes, discs, five stud hubs, brackets, brake pads, flexi hoses, etc. etc.. It's not a bad deal.

[Nano2nd]

is that inc or ex vat bob?

[tvrbob]

Nano2nd said:

is that inc or ex vat bob?

Excluding VAT and delivery. My total was more like £1,680. The kit price was increased mid '04 because the process of part exchange was not working. The kit is now all new components.

[justinbaker]

Bob Hi,

Any chance you could mail me those list of parts so I can order some brackets and fingeres crossed the rear hubs?

I am pondering on what tyre size to use on these 18" rims too.

Many thanks!

Justin

[The Surveyor]

Justin

Best to use 18" tyres on those rims, anything smaller won't fit, and bigger ones will fall off.....

[justinbaker]

Currently am running 205/65ZR15 on the front, so taking these wheels to 18", I can get -3mm on tyre diameter by using 235/40ZR18 so runs out by -0.46%, and the rear 225/60ZR16, and again I can make a diamter +2mm, by using 245/45/ZR18 so out by just 0.3%

I was wondering if there are clearance problems at the front on lock, hence the 35 profile?

Again more help needed on the brake convesions that are on offer would be brilliant, this will be my first ever brake upgrade on any car.

[tvrbob]

justinbaker said:

Any chance you could mail me those list of parts so I can order some brackets and fingeres crossed the rear hubs?

Info here. It's 8.5meg though so I'd suggest broadbanders only.

[justinbaker]

I am such a muppet!!!

I have 3 Rears and 1 Front.

Anyone want to swap a rear with a front, or have just one front spare for sale, chances = very slim.



BLLCKS !!!

[tvrbob]

justinbaker said:

I am such a muppet!!! I have 3 Rears and 1 Front.

Been there done that. I ordered a set of silver and a set of anthracite. Ended up with four front anthracites and four silver rears. Thankfully they were from the factory so I could exchange them. Unfortunately you can't machine the extra rear to the same offset as the front because the stud holes are deeper and will be machined away in the process.

[justinbaker]

Bob Hi,

Many thanks for that PDF link its a massive help. Thanks also for trying to make me feel a little better about my odd wheels.

Speaking of odd wheels.....

[v8ndy]

mine`s got 235/35/18 on the fronts and they did catch on the drivers side on full lock while turning on uneven ground but it only was catching by about 5mm at the very bottom of the wheel arch time for fiberglass body to meet grinder,grinder wins!

[RichB]

justinbaker said:

Bob Hi, Many thanks for that PDF link its a massive help. Thanks also for trying to make me feel a little better about my odd wheels. Speaking of odd wheels.....

Hi Justin, Is that a Berkeley T60 or T90 lurking on that van? My brother had a T60 as his forstcar many, many years ago and I spent many hours working on it with him. That bloody Excelsior engine just wouldn't fire! Brings back memries that does. Rich...

[justinbaker]

Andy Hi, this is all your fault after seeing your car you know!!!

Rich, that is a T60, on top of a MG. The thing was rubbish so its gone to live with a strange Austrian chap.

Anyhow, I might end up buying just one front wheel from TVR and leaving my spare as open to offers.

Andy - Would you go smaller on the front to prevent the rubbing, or perhapse space off by 5mm or shall I just get the grinder out?

[RichB]

justinbaker said:

Rich, that is a T60, on top of a MG. The thing was rubbish so its gone to live with a strange Austrian chap.

I hope he has a sense of humour Rich...