Section : Suspension

Wheels/tyres/springs and dampers

Posted By : Mark Stradling, 11-Dec-2003, 12:05pm

• Wheels/tyres/springs and dampers

  Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 11-Dec-2003, 12:43pm

  Mark,
  
  My first bit of advice would be to avoid the Dolly Alloys - they are not very strong and you will have to fit about 10mm worth of spacers on the front for them to fit. IMHO - theyre not that pretty either. A nice 'period' set of wofrace slotmags will cost you about the same and look much better.
  
  Uprated springs on the front are a good idea but 330lb (fast road) will be perfectly adequate. You don't really need to uprate the rear spring and decambering it will reduce your loading capacity, but if you do - I would suggest using a GT6 rear spring as it is a heavier rating.
  
  If you go for the decambered option then you should also lower the front springs too (about an inch) if you don't decamber then don't lower the front. (remember a stronger front spring will be a little shorter anyway to give the same rife height)
  
  As for tyres if you are going for 5.5J rims then you will need 175/65 profile tyres to keep your speedo accruate (within 1%)
  
  Hope this helps...
  
  NiG
  http://www.niginthecar.net
  racing@tssc.org.uk

  • Wheels/tyres/springs and dampers

    Posted By : Mark Stradling, 11-Dec-2003, 01:31pm

    [quote]My first bit of advice would be to avoid the Dolly Alloys...A nice 'period' set of wofrace slotmags will cost you about the same and look much better.[/quote]
    
    I've already got the wheels and recently re-found them in the back of the garage when my parents moved house - found quite a lot of bit's I forgot I had actually ^_^.
    
    I've got an Inca Yellow spit., so the black/silver Dolly's do work (IMHO) - and yes, I know it's not a proper Mk4 Spit. colour, but when I looked up my cars origonal colour code I KNEW I wasn't going that origonal. I mean - a brown sports car. Yes, it WAS the 70's, but still.... brown?!?
    
    Sorry, side-tracked.
    
    [quote]As for tyres if you are going for 5.5J rims then you will need 175/65 profile tyres to keep your speedo accruate (within 1%)[/quote]
    
    I'm confused by part of this.
    
    KEEP my speedo accurate to within 1%?!? It doesn't get anywhere near that good at the moment! ^_^

    • Wheels/tyres/springs and dampers

      Posted By : Keith Dandridge, 11-Dec-2003, 02:01pm

      I've been running a set of Dolly Alloys for years.
      Just make sure you use steel wheel nuts, not the ally ones. You will need spacers and longer wheel studs. 165/75 tyres have the same rolling radius as standard so will not alter your speedo reading.
      Short 380lb springs on AVO adjustable platform shocks work well for me on the front.
      I've kept a standard rear spring, but with nylon pads between the leaves in place of the rubber buttons. Rear suspension dropped by using a block on top of the diff to match the front ride height. Play with it all bit by bit to suit your driving style and once you've decided which way to go ignore all our experts and just do it.