| Author |
Message |
denied (Ragtop)
New member
Username: Ragtop
Post Number: 34
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 12:04 pm: | |
I think I have found a set of rims. S.L. Competition in Georgia (garedcars.com) has sets of 550M style wheels to fit my Mondial. Quoted $1700. Rubber to fit should run around $650 for Pirelli P-Zeros. Any other recommendations on tire brand? Primary focus is everyday grip, not AutoX. |
Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member
Username: Mitch_alsup
Post Number: 522
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 12:10 am: | |
Wheel sizing is a very interesting question in it own right. What follows is my point of view, submitted for your pleasure.
Theory: Basically, as section height is reduced, the stiffness of the carcuss with respect to cornering increases--giving faster response to steering input*. However, as section height is reduced, longitudianl traction suffers (you know acceleration and braking).
When the section heights were very tall (1970's) one could actually loose weight by going to a bigger rim (14->15,...). However, with 18" wheels, you are no longer loosing weight as you go to bigger wheels (19") with correspondingly shorter and shorter sidewalls.
Optimum max performance street tire right now in is 35 and 40 section height tires, and the 30 section in 325 and 335 widths, otherwise the section height is too short.
Drag racers will prefer 17" wheels (sometimes 16") since a taller section height increases longitudinal traction.
Corner carvers will prefer 18" wheels.
*There comes a point where a driver cannot use a faster response from the tire (especially the front tires). The car can respond faster then the driver can read the car and the drivers control over the car suffers. |
Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member
Username: Maranelloman
Post Number: 1152
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 4:38 pm: | |
Yes. Ought to be an interesting group! |
denied (Ragtop)
New member
Username: Ragtop
Post Number: 29
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 4:37 pm: | |
Yeah, gonna be there. With the baldest metric rubber you have ever seen :p
I was planning on asking but wasn't going to interrupt the cool stuff and beer for mundane wheel-sizing questions.
Gonna be there, Dave? I haven't seen a roster yet. Kinda curious. |
Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member
Username: Mitch_alsup
Post Number: 518
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 4:28 pm: | |
Get a new set of wheels in inch-spec. Then put on modern Max Performance rubber of your choice. |
Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member
Username: Maranelloman
Post Number: 1144
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 3:19 pm: | |
US......if you can find wheels to fit your hubs...
Speak with David Moore tomorrow night about this, if you are going to the Tech Session at Moorespeed. |
denied (Ragtop)
New member
Username: Ragtop
Post Number: 28
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 3:00 pm: | |
...for my 84 Mondial. The car still has it's metric rims on it. Am I gonna be better off buying new US spec rims and tires or going with the metric tires? Suggestions? |