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17" Wheels
Hellfire - 6/1/04 at 01:00 PM

Is anybody currently running an Indy with 17" wheels fitted?
We know the Indy was designed for 15's, but we would like to know how it handles (on roads not track) with 17's before we part with our hard earned.

donut - 6/1/04 at 05:43 PM

I believe the black Indy at MK has the old 17" wheels from the GT1 fitted (or at least they were). They need low profile tyres and the front mudguard stays modding but i am sure 17's can be fitted.

Andy

macspeedy - 6/1/04 at 07:22 PM

I've got 17's fitted but the engine is only half built and there is no wiring done as to date, should hopefully be ready for stoneleigh if you can wait that long

theconrodkid - 6/1/04 at 07:26 PM

imvho i think the tyres will give a very hard squirmy ride,combined with stiff suspension and ruf roads it wont be too much fun to drive(tin hat on dives for cover)

Stu16v - 6/1/04 at 08:33 PM

I would agree. Each to their own, but I feel it might take the edge off building a BEC. You are effectively putting a larger/heavier flywheel on each corner of the car...

Hellfire - 7/1/04 at 01:01 AM

yes the Indy that MK (Barry) built was fitted with 17"s but unfortunately he sold it before it was up & running - anyone with fitted 16" or 17"s then?

There are obviously differing opinions about the handling characteristics with 17" wheels but as yet, none of it is factual

[Edited on 7-1-04 by Hellfire]

Mk-Ninja - 7/1/04 at 08:29 AM

Ive got 17" wheels for mine but not on the road yet. Fingers crossed

OX - 7/1/04 at 01:15 PM

iv got 17" wheels on mine .,only been up the road a few times and it seems no harder than the 2 other cars iv been in with 15" wheels ,,but iv gone for looks and for the size of the arch i thought 17" look slightly better ,if i wanted comfort i wouldnt be building one of these

Hellfire - 7/1/04 at 01:23 PM

Ox, you have U2U.

Stu16v - 7/1/04 at 06:57 PM

quote:

There are obviously differing opinions about the handling characteristics with 17" wheels but as yet, none of it is factual


Err...some factual facts on 17 inch wheels...

1. They will make your car look like a roller skate on acid(friendly banter! )

2. Tyre choices will almost always be from cars that are A LOT heavier than the car you are building, especially when compared to a BEC. The rubber compounds used to make 17 inch tyres will more often than not be a lot harder, which isnt really ideal for lightweight car use.

3. A 17 inch wheel/tyre combination is likely to be a lot heavier. This will dramatically increase the sprung/unsprung weight ratio. Unsrung weight (or the lack of it) is VERY important when getting the car to handle respectably on uneven road surfaces-like the ones found all over Blighty. Obviously this does depend on wheel/tyre choice.

4. Even if you find 17's that are the same weight as fifteens, (unlikely, unless you are comparing to some heavy b#ggers) the weight of the 17's will be concentrated to the outside of the wheel. This contributes greatly to any 'flywheel' effect that the road wheels give. This will not only dampen the accleration of the car, but also the stopping power too.

5. The above will also cause the steering to slow down, due to the increased gyroscopic effect of larger diameter wheels. This tends to stifle the cars ability to change direction quickly.

6. They cost more....

But, like I say, it is your car, and that is the beauty of building your own, i.e. you can do what the heck you like to it. So if you want 17's go for it, but if you get minced on a track day, you might have a head start in understanding why....

OX - 8/1/04 at 12:10 AM

i dont think i'll be driving that fast on public roads to notice but when i take it on the odd track day i'll just put some 15" on and if i was worried about the extra weight i would of gone on a diet ,i see your point but for this build i quite like the rollar skate look lol

mangogrooveworkshop - 18/1/04 at 11:35 AM

I read a report a few years back on a donkerfort that had larger than "normal" wheels and they compared it to an identical car that had smaller wheels.
To cut to the chase the report said that larger wheels tramlined and aquaplaned at very low speeds against the normal tyres. Anybody who has driven a beach buggy will be very aware of this. The wide tyres gave great service on sand due to the low pressure foot print but on the road the buggy was a fish out of water. No grip due to the pressure spread out.

Each to his own........the r500 is the fastest thing around and its wheels are a little bigger than a roller skate.......

Findlay234 - 18/1/04 at 02:12 PM

dont know if anyones said this yet but large diametre tyres will also reduce acceleration but increase top end speed. Not by much but not what you want in a kit car like this.