Et and large wheel offset on a MK6 Fiesta, experiences?
Discussion
As some of you may know, I'm looking for a set of wheels for a MK6 fiesta XR4(ST150) rally car. I've found a set of good used 6x15 Speedline Corse, perfect, exempt they have an offset of 25.
I'm currently running an ET36.5, (ET52.5 steelies with 16mm spacers)
Our road car XR4 is running 7x15 ET33, but with only 195/65r15 tyres. This is fine, and flush with the arches.
Rally tires are 185/65r15, and weigh just under 11kg each.
My concerns are steering feel, general handling and suspension stress. Any thoughts/ experiences? Especially with heavy wheels/ tyres.
Here's a mock up of ET25, though at full droop, as the car is on stands atm.
The tyre sticks out by about 5 to10mm, as I'm running a bit of extra neg camber this should tuck in a bit, though the arches would still need modifying. All this would still fit in class regs.
I'm currently running an ET36.5, (ET52.5 steelies with 16mm spacers)
Our road car XR4 is running 7x15 ET33, but with only 195/65r15 tyres. This is fine, and flush with the arches.
Rally tires are 185/65r15, and weigh just under 11kg each.
My concerns are steering feel, general handling and suspension stress. Any thoughts/ experiences? Especially with heavy wheels/ tyres.
Here's a mock up of ET25, though at full droop, as the car is on stands atm.
The tyre sticks out by about 5 to10mm, as I'm running a bit of extra neg camber this should tuck in a bit, though the arches would still need modifying. All this would still fit in class regs.
Not by much but the wheel bearings will be under greater stress.
Are you using standard lower arms?
I've always found these a little on the weak side even for a road car.
My 1.4 Fiesta although standard in every other way is fitted with a Eaton supercharger. It's not particularly quick but still great on a twisty road but I've replaced both lower arms several times in my ownership. Even quality brands its always the lower ball joint that goes..
Are you using standard lower arms?
I've always found these a little on the weak side even for a road car.
My 1.4 Fiesta although standard in every other way is fitted with a Eaton supercharger. It's not particularly quick but still great on a twisty road but I've replaced both lower arms several times in my ownership. Even quality brands its always the lower ball joint that goes..
I've run with a 15 x 7" ET35 wheel with 205/50 rubber on my ST150ish race car for the last 3 years. They fill the arches ok with around 2deg camber, my running gear is standard but some guys with ST150 hubs run with front bearing retainers as the bearings are known to move on high grip cars.
Thanks guys, much appreciated.
Lower arms and ball joints are OE at the present time, no issues yet... touch wood.
Bearing movement is an interesting one, probably won't come up on mine, as all the rallies in Australia are gravel based. (with exceptions, like Targa Tasmania) But something to mention to a mate building an XR4 race car.
I've spoken to a really helpful ex-Msport distributor, he recons it's a no go, both mechanical stress and handling wise. So I think I'm going to give up one those wheels, pity as they are 85gbp ea, all 21 of them. lightly used proper Speedline Corse gravel ones. Off a Citron DS3 R3.
Another possibility is changing the hubs, probably to 4x100 (or possibly 5x108) I'd have to keep the ST150 knuckle due to suspension, so if anyone has experience with doing a hybrid hub, I'd be very interested to hear how you went
Lower arms and ball joints are OE at the present time, no issues yet... touch wood.
Bearing movement is an interesting one, probably won't come up on mine, as all the rallies in Australia are gravel based. (with exceptions, like Targa Tasmania) But something to mention to a mate building an XR4 race car.
I've spoken to a really helpful ex-Msport distributor, he recons it's a no go, both mechanical stress and handling wise. So I think I'm going to give up one those wheels, pity as they are 85gbp ea, all 21 of them. lightly used proper Speedline Corse gravel ones. Off a Citron DS3 R3.
Another possibility is changing the hubs, probably to 4x100 (or possibly 5x108) I'd have to keep the ST150 knuckle due to suspension, so if anyone has experience with doing a hybrid hub, I'd be very interested to hear how you went
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