Ok this is possibly a very stupid question but hey we all have to learn right?

Does anyone know if there would be any issues (legal or otherwise) to use two different wheel set ups? I have an old alfa 33 that I have taken the engine, gear box and front wheel set up from, I plan to drop these in a mid engined locost inspired design.... but would it be ok to use a C reg renault 5 front wheels steering etc for the front of the car?

maybe a bit of a bugger when you get a flat (two spares?!) but a can of the tyre fix would solve that.

Probably wouldnt affect the legal stuff, im fairly sure you could still get an age related plate.

you can get twin fit alloys which would mean 1 set would cover all 4 wheel that is if you can get them to suit, (i was in a similar situation to you)

[Edited on 15/1/05 by liam.mccaffrey]

IIRC as long as the wheels are of the same diameter all should be fine. However, I've seen a few manufacturers of late with different diameters so I'm not sure now

Dutton Phaeton 2 had triumph at the front and ford at the rear, you can use different sizes on your car as long as the larger wheels are at the rear

cool thanks guys, I just wanted to know that I wasn't going to run into problems with SVA or anything.

All I need now are a pair of bottom swivel joints/maxi ball joints...... don't suppose any of you have an recommendations on this score?

[Edited on 15/1/05 by DorsetStrider]

That ugly little Smart car has different size wheels front and rear.
Getting the 33 engine through the emissions will be you biggest problem as they are a pain in the arse to set up, half the time the inlet manifolds are porous.

Joel P, don't you know spares just add extra weight?

You might be OK with a set of 4 wheels the same actually. Alfa is an unusual 98mm PCD and I think the renault 5 would be 100mm PCD (i stand to be corrected). Anyway - you can get things called wobble bolts that have a floating taper on them. They are designed to let common 100pcd wheels fit on 98pcd hubs and vice versa. You of course need the correct spiggot rings for your wheels so they locate properly on the hubs.

So with 8 wobble bolts you'd be able to fit a set of 100pcd alloys to your car, even with alfa running gear at the rear and renault 5 up front.

Hope that helps

Liam

Try ditching the french element and get the front end from a Fiat 132/argenta/lada, or fabricate upper wishbones and fit to uno/punto front uprights. Everything italian 4 stud is 98mm PCD

Sacré bleu!!! When monsieurs Peugeot, Renault and friends make such beautiful automobile parts!

Thinking about it - and having spent the last few horrible days assisting in an alfa 164 clutch change followed almost immediately by ac pump failure and hence neccessary change - i'd say use as few italian parts as possible!

Liam

Bit late for that. My build is built for the alfa engine etc. If I change that at this point I think I'll have to do some major redesign work. Just wanted to know if I'd be taking any chances useing the two different wheel set ups or wheather I'd have to hunt around for front alfa hubs that would suit. I think the renault hubs will be fine and it seems a shame to turn it away since I've been offered the car for free..... the previous lady owner somehow managed to blow up the engine (don't ask....just don't ask)

My present car runs different diameter wheels front and rear.

Mick

Brabus smarts have 17" wheels on the rear and 16" on the front. They have different offsets as well so you can't put rear the wheels on the front.

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Originally posted by DorsetStrider
Bit late for that. My build is built for the alfa engine etc. If I change that at this point I think I'll have to do some major redesign work. Just wanted to know if I'd be taking any chances useing the two different wheel set ups or wheather I'd have to hunt around for front alfa hubs that would suit. I think the renault hubs will be fine and it seems a shame to turn it away since I've been offered the car for free..... the previous lady owner somehow managed to blow up the engine (don't ask....just don't ask)

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mine isn't...correction make that wasn't.... a rear wheel drive alfa. it used to be front wheel drive. I've just taken out the engine gearbox and front wheels/axels and going to dump them into the rear of my chassis.

I'd love to make it sound more technical than that but hey it's 2am and I really can't be arsed! lol

I know. Just buy a shed off eBay and sell it off in bits. I bought an '82 Guilietta for £106, sold the carbs for £120 and the wheels for £80 and the rest went drip feed. Made about £400 and got my uprights, rack, steering column and the basis for a rear end in one go. Scrap prices being what they are the local scrap man took the shell away for free, with glass, interior and more holes than a pair of punk tights.

quote:

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Originally posted by gazza285
That ugly little Smart car has different size wheels front and rear.
Getting the 33 engine through the emissions will be you biggest problem as they are a pain in the arse to set up, half the time the inlet manifolds are porous.

Joel P, don't you know spares just add extra weight?

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The Audi TT also fell over so was recalled to have those stupid little spoilers and rear suspension mods fitted

Not quite, the original TT was a great handling sports car which happened to do the totally unacceptable thing called understeer. They were recalled and neutered so the hairdressers would not soil their silkies