GT4 owners with 16" wheels

For those GT4 owners with 16" wheels, do you have issues with your tires rubbing the fender liners when the wheel is turned all the way in either direction?
My 14" wheels rub just a little. I was wondering if its an issue with 16" wheels. (might be the first 'upgrade' to the car)
TIA,

JIM

 

And PICS please!!

I am running 15 inches and am thinking of upgrading to 16 inch. Would be nice to know what it will look like before I bite the bullit...

Hans

 

Jim, I think that this may also be a question of Series I versus Series II setup, perhaps, but not completely sure...so when folks post they should definitely note the year of their car and the size of the wheels/tires specs they are runnning (not just 16's, etc).

I had someone make a comment to me prior to my purchase of a '79 GT4 that the newer Series II models "suspension would accept 16" wheels". The comment was made relative to another Series I car I was considering.

Again, just hearsay -- lets let the photo's and actual data specs do the talking.

John

 

When I compared the front inner fenders on my '75 series 1 to Perfusion's '79 later car (series 2 or 3?) his car has a "bubble" to clear larger or wider tires that mine doesn't have. This bubble is visible with the hood open right behind the battery. My '75 does rub at full lock with the stock wheels and tire sizes, and judging by the wear in there, it has rubbed for a long time.

 

Mine is a late 74 GT4, and the original 14" rubbed very slightly on full lock, now it has 328 Wheels (205/55R16) on the front, and I think it still rubs, but again only on full lock, no earlier than before

 

Sorry about the poor picture quality - it is an old scan of an old pic...

16s and never had any rubbing issues. 205/55 fronts and 225/50 rears.

Dave
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Say Dave, what color is your car?

Cheers!

DT

 

I really don't remember. I sold that car about 3 years ago when I left Australia. s/n 15422 if it helps. I am sure it was Argento something though!

 

Anyone know if the fenders / wheel well (arches) are the same for the Series 1 as the Series 2/3.

As I look at Lusso64's wheel arches (serial # indicates Series 2 or 3 I think), it looks different than Jim's 74 Euro he just bought (apology in advance for stealing the picture below). Granted, the picture angles are completely different, but still, it doesn't look 100% the same to me.

Anyway, I bring it up because a previous post said that there may be a rubbing / clearance difference with 16" wheels between a Series 1 and Series 2/3.

See picture attached and compare to Lusso's above.

James in Denver
(PS That STILL is one hot car Jim)

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Same here with my April 75 build GT4 (#10688).

Dom

 

Jim,

I've never had any problems with either my 16's or 14's. Stock fenders all the way around and stock springs.
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Jtoquinto, where did you get those wheels? Are they still available?

 

Blain....

S. L. Competition
6899 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite B Norcross, GA 30092 USA
770.616.4489 - Office...

Here's the web site:
http://www.garedcars.com/default2.htm


I'm not sure if they still carry the wheel. I got mine around 8 years ago for around $400/rim.

Good luck!

 

And what tire size do you run?

I currently have 205/65/15 front and 225/65/15 rear. Rear wheels have a slightly wider stance through a pair of disks (how are those called again??). Slightly rubbing the REAR wheel arches when going over bumps.

Hans

 

Hi
My 14" rims with tires used to rub on hard lock. With the Ferrari 328 16" rims, no rubbing.

Gerrit
http://dino308gt4.com
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I have a '75 GT4 with 71/2 X 14 rims. It presently has P235/60VR14 Good Year Eagle tires. They rub on full lock. My question is for a car used for occassional street use what size tire should I run on these wheels? What brand and model is recommended?

This car is unpleasant at low speed. The steering is heavy and slow especially when parking. Has anyone ever adapted power steering? What would fit? What would it cost?

 

The tire sizes I had (205 F and 225R) resulted in not too heavy steering and no rubbing issues. I suspect that 235 on the front is too wide. Power steering conversion is available - it's called Mondial t. Probably about the same price too!

Seriously though, the PS idea for 308s has been beaten to death over the years, and I have yet to hear of anyone actually doing it, although I am sure it has been done. With the right tires, pressures, and alignment, the low speed steering does not need to be painfully heavy.

Dave

 

Hi Ted
When I moved to the 16" rims the low speed steering lightened up as well. Still not light to park in a tight spot but certainly better.

Gerrit

 

I moved up to 16" with BBS wheels. big difference in handling all for the better.

frankly when I had the 14" I don't think the handled that well. Now easier to turn; holds the road better, and I don't hit the chasis everytime I go over a speed bump at more the 1mph. I still have the 14" with the ferrari wheels, but I'll never put them back on. just holding them in case I ever want to sell the car.

to answer your question, I didn't have rubbing problems on either the 14 or 16". but I believe the 16" have spacers or something.

I've had rubbing problems on two other sports cars recently; on my vette turns out it was the orginial springs, on a 928, new shocks solved the problem. so you might want to look elsewhere.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I'm looking for a set of 16" wheels (preferrablly QV replicas or 328 wheels at a good price, though I would consider others...) I've only had the car 3 days, so its no big deal to wait. Heck, i've only driven it mabye 20 miles. If the weather ever breaks, I'll be out there carving some road!!!!

JIM

 

Keep us posted Jim, with pics too

Where can QV wheels be purchased ? Either OEM or replica's ?

 

reproduction wheels here: http://www.ferraripartsexchange.com/wheels.htm

or here: http://www.italiancarparts.com/parts/308.html#wheels

or original wheels here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=2241&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

 

Gerrit,
i'm glad to hear that your wheel mod also improves various driving aspects of your car because based on looks alone it was worth it. i've seen your car at Rock's and those wheels just work so well on that car. a fantastic choice.

brett

 

I get a little rubbing on full lock one way.

Lee
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don't spose you know if the guy who bought it from you would like to sell it again?