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Post by stevew on Dec 28, 2018 10:07:12 GMT
I'm about to buy the wheels for my Sonic and I was going to get 17" x 7" with 205-40-17 tyres but tyres in this size all appear to have an XL load rating so have very stiff side walls. As I will be using the Sonic on pot holed road rather than track, would a smaller wheel with a taller tyre be a better option? If so any recommendations? I assume 205-45-16 and 205-50-15 (or 195-55-15) would be the equivalent size but the tyre choice is limited in the 16" size.
Cheers
Steve
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Post by buildityourself on Dec 28, 2018 21:39:28 GMT
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Post by davefromdownunder on Dec 29, 2018 6:15:50 GMT
Hi Steve
I am fitting 205/45/17 on the front and 235/35/19 on the back. Although from what I have read my lump is quite a bit heavier than the ford engine. My Chassis will also be 250mm longer than standard too.
From what I understand of the suspension set up the cushioning can be set with the spring preset or with progressive springs.
Kiwicanfly has a great thread on making the wheel wings wider to suit.
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Post by stevew on Dec 29, 2018 10:25:46 GMT
Thanks for the replies guys.
Stu, I'm not worried about keeping the speedo the same as I'm not using the Focus gauges so will have to calibrate it anyway. I don't mind a small reduction in gearing either as the standard gearing is high to aid economy/emissions rather than acceleration. I'd be more concerned about clearance between the tyre and wing stays so a small reduction in tyre diameter will help, the 195/60/15's from the donor are too close.
Dave, I don't think such large rear wheels will suit my intended use and will require new wing stays as well as wider wings.
What I really want to know is would there be any benefit from the higher sidewalls from 16" or 15" wheels.
Cheers
Steve
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Post by kiwicanfly on Dec 29, 2018 18:45:35 GMT
I'm not sure about the pothole effect, I run both 16" and 15" on my Rocket. I started with 16" 195s then bought 15" 205s for racing, hillclimbs and sprints rather than circuit. The 15" have taller walls and are wider but the main difference with mine is that the tyres are semi slick soft compound. Can I tell the difference on the same bit of road at the same speed? Well not at normal road speed no but when racing I would definately as with the 16" I'd be in a ditch I reckon (mind you I've done that more than once on the 15"). I've never tried 17" but I reckon they would be harsh. If it wasn't for racing use I personally would stick with the 16" 195s for two reasons - The wings (assuming they are the same size as the Rocket wings), are too narrow for anything wider than 195. I ended up widening mine but before I did that they had to be positioned in such a way that they looked silly to avoid tyre rub. The rear brake caliper (Hi-Spec) hand brake mechanism rubbed on the inside of the rim and had to have major modification to fit. Of course this was with my particular rims, most don't have an issue. Oh one last thing though is that the roughest roads I ever drove on were in a gravel ralley, for that I used the 16" not because of the wall height but simply because there was at least some tread on the 16" tyres! However I guess you probably aren't intending to do such a stupid thing! It was great fun though  |
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Post by stevew on Dec 29, 2018 19:55:48 GMT
Thanks for that Kiwi. I'm leaning towards 16" now but will measure the wings to see if they will cover the 205's OK. The donor's are 195's so I can see how they would look width wise.
Cheers
Steve
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Post by stevew on Dec 31, 2018 15:03:53 GMT
Having had I look at the wings (when did they become wings instead of mudguards?) on the donor's 195 tyres I think I'll follow Kiwi's suggestion and stick with 195's. Although 205's would fit, they would be a bit snug. So 195/50/16's it is going to be.
Cheers
Steve
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