370mm Brembo Brakes and 18 Inch Wheels

[Deleted member 103408]

@Oldbutswift I dont think there is a simple answer.

Some items to add to your question.

Are you adjusting the Geometry of your suspension as there are a lot of guys who run 35 offset but have adjustable top mounts and SUPALOY DUROBALL ARM KIT'S to adjust the camber.

Are you staying at Stock height or lowering because that obviously impacts what you can do.

I personally have two sets of wheels (one for street and one for track) they are both the same size but have different rubber (although the same size) but I can notice a small difference in fit (not huge but there is a difference).

As Cupra14 said any modification to your car in the UK must be notified to the insurance company and that included just putting on different wheels (even if they are the same size)

 

[Oldbutswift]

If you look at the various moving parts & joints as someone turns the steering wheel you can get a quick feel for what occurs.

You're probably aware that a wheel can be thought of as a point mass at its centre of gravity. That is what is affecting those joints etc.

Now, imagine moving the weight (mass) that's the wheel to a new place. You're no longer loading things as designed.

Here's a link about spacers but the same issues are involved for thee same reasons http://suspensionsecrets.co.uk/why-you-should-not-fit-wheels-spacers/?i=2

You always have to inform an insurer (in UK, probably other places) if you make a modification. It's vital to do it in the UK (well, England and Wales, don't know about Scotland) as there is strict liability. In effect the insurer can void the cover if you fail to do so because you would have broken the contract.

You have given the textbook answer,no problem with that,but I was looking for something more practical.

I agree you should inform the Insurance co.when fitting non standard wheels,I have no experience of such conversations,so how do they go?
Do they ask for every detail of the diameter,tyre size,width and offset and then have the knowledge to say yes that's fine,or no sorry,we won't insure those?

Also I'm sure there are many on here,and on every other car forum involving performance cars,who have fitted wheels/ spacers so that they have more offset than standard and I was looking for some feedback as to what setups performed Ok and what did not and were quickly removed.

 

[Carbonara]

No, otherwise you’d need longer bolts, they’d curve differently, but the spokes maybe thicker to help with the strength.

Ah, I just thought they machined the bolt "wells" (whatever they're really called) deeper into the forged wheel to compensate and allow standard length bolts (OK - conical versus radiused shoulders) to be used.

I wasn't overly concerned at my 3mm difference with weekly torque checks for peace of mind.

 

[Oldbutswift]

@Oldbutswift I dont think there is a simple answer.

Some items to add to your question.

Are you adjusting the Geometry of your suspension as there are a lot of guys who run 35 offset but have adjustable top mounts and SUPALOY DUROBALL ARM KIT'S to adjust the camber.

Are you staying at Stock height or lowering because that obviously impacts what you can do.

I personally have two sets of wheels (one for street and one for track) they are both the same size but have different rubber (although the same size) but I can notice a small difference in fit (not huge but there is a difference).

As Cupra14 said any modification to your car in the UK must be notified to the insurance company and that included just putting on different wheels (even if they are the same size)

Thanks,you have obviously got good experience of track related mods,but I am only looking at it from a lower level.
I'll explain.
The car involved is not my Carbon ST 300, but another closely related car which is on order,namely a Skoda Octavia vRS 245,standard wheels 7.5x18,ET 51,with 225/40 tyres.
Thinking ahead to some wheels for winter to be fitted with winter tyres,I saw a brand new set of wheels on eBay very,very cheap and in a (rash?) moment clicked buy it now.They are the same size except for the offset which is ET 35.
All I'm hoping is that they perform safely in normal road driving.
I have a vague idea that the bigger offset will produce more negative camber (not necessarily a bad thing?) and make more toe out on the tracking?...it might then be advisable to have the tracking re-set to prevent uneven tyre wear?
As you say,it's complicated!!!

 

[cupra14]

The photos I've seen of that car make me wonder how it will look with those wheels and what may foul. I don't know how the conversation with an insurer might go as I've never changed ET like that. Bear in mind being insured (a bit like having an MoT) is not related to whether the car is actually safe and/or roadworthy. Sorry not to be much help but it's something I would avoid.

(Maybe I'd consider it for off-road use on private land.)

 

[Deleted member 103408]

Conversation with insurer will be easy, you just tell them you are fitting new wheels and just give them the size details.

If they have any concerns they will raise them, I would also point out to the insurance company that these are Winter Wheels so you will actually be using two sets of wheels. Don't see any problems with that (as that is what I have) but they should be aware

There are loads of people on facebook who just swap wheels these days (get bored and want something else) and obviously ebay itself so you wont loose all your cash if it don't fit. You new wheels according to this site will be 16mm further out that the stock ones. Personally I would ask the question here as these guys should know what the body work can take without issues.

 

[Oldbutswift]

Conversation with insurer will be easy, you just tell them you are fitting new wheels and just give them the size details.

If they have any concerns they will raise them, I would also point out to the insurance company that these are Winter Wheels so you will actually be using two sets of wheels. Don't see any problems with that (as that is what I have) but they should be aware

There are loads of people on facebook who just swap wheels these days (get bored and want something else) and obviously ebay itself so you wont loose all your cash if it don't fit. You new wheels according to this site will be 16mm further out that the stock ones. Personally I would ask the question here as these guys should know what the body work can take without issues.

Thanks,I've read through that Skoda wheel thread and there is an instance of someone who has fitted an identical size to mine with no clearance issues.
So it will just be a case of informing the Insurance and watching out for strange handling and tyre wear issues when they are on...I'm optimistic but we will see in 6 months or so!

 

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.
If you have any issues with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

 

[Carbonara]

Tidying up today I found a note of the minimum internal dimensions of the Team Dynamics ProRace 1.2 in 18". Diameter of 416mm (which fits) is easier to compare with other wheels than guessing where the dead centre is. These came from reference to technical info at Rimstock (manufacturer).

My contrast my other 18" TD wheels are too small at only 404mm int dia.

 

[Mrkun]

Some photos of 18" Team Dynamics ProRace 1.2 8x18 ET40, just got them today and did a quick test fit: