360/430 challenge wheels on 456

I've flirted with the idea, but a couple of things to consider: first, 360 fronts have a narrower width than stock 456 wheels, so you're losing some footprint, since you probably won't be able to get 255 wide and that will influence handing, though probably only at the limits. The rears, which are as wide as 456 stock rims, will need 25mm spacers because of the higher offsets.

When choosing tires, you need to realize that the 456 has the same tire diameter front and rear and the VSC system is programmed accordingly and that will dictate the parameters of tire choices. The 360 has significantly larger diameter tires in the back.

Now I'll let those who REALLY know what they're talking about, chime in.

 

I've seen the 430 wheels on a 456 before, and that look doesn't really float my boat, plus the aforementioned problems with their diameters not being the same, and the front width being narrower than stock. Finally, if you need spacers, the wheels just aren't right for the car, to my way of thinking.

One of the esthetic curiosities of the 456 is that the rear track is narrower than the front (I understand that part of the reason for this is that Ferrari wanted to dial in a little understeer to the chassis). As a result of that, the car has a bit of a weird look to it with the stock wheels already, but this is exaggerated with any wheels that are designed so that the front spokes are closer to the edge of the rims than the rear spokes. The Barchetta wheels that are on my 456 probably accent this weirdness more than any other set I've seen, because the rear spokes go WAY deep into the rims and the front spokes are at the outer edge. I. don't. like.

I'm probably being tiresome, but as an artist, these little esthetic details can really bug me.

The solution to ameliorate this esthetic strangeness is to have a set of wheels where the spokes are at the very outer edge of the rims, FRONT AND REAR. The best solution to this FOR MY TASTE that I've ever seen are a set of fourteen spoke BBS wheels that a British 456 owner put on his car (I flipped this image so it looks like a LHD car).

http://pep27.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Misc/i-t7sRhzv/0/X3/3510IMG01331-20111203-1034-X3.jpg

There are quite a few BBS variations on this theme, with some being three-piece wheels, if you like that look.

BTW: This image has been my computer desktop for a looooooong time. My 456 looks just like this except for the wheels, which I plan to change to these post haste.

Cheers,

George

 

I like the look of those wheels and appear to be about half the price of the Novitec's.

John

 

I just put a set of 430 wheels on my car, I had a chance to buy a set for $500. Thought it was worth a try for that amount. Spaced the fronts out 15mm, and the rear 25mm.

Scott

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No idea what the fender difference is on the 456 from the 550/575, but the offset and size of the CS wheels would allow a square set up. Rears are definitely going to need a big spacer.