215s too big?

[Don Pamponi]

Hi folks

I just found a set of wheels that I like but I\'m wondering if the tyres are too big for the front.  

7x17\'\' with 215/40/17s all round.

Waddayathink?  Should it be 205s up front?  Thats what I had on my last RX.

Should look pretty PHAT if they dont rub :spank :spank oh yeah - doublespank!

[MikeLMR]

not a clue ... but it would depend mostly on the offset being spot on. If you follow the link I posted last time you will find a big discussion on the US forum with some people running wheels/tyres that large who will know what fits.

[rotorhead666]

I have 195s on the front,with my original standard Mazda wheels,they used to rub with 205s on the front.The turning circle is dramatically reduced with 195s too,and Ian RXMotors swears by 195s for better handling.Getting my new wheels on sunday,planning on 195s on the front,and 205s rear,depending on what price Toyo 205s are...

[Don Pamponi]

Hmm, I wonder if you can put 195s on a 7" rim.  Doubt it.  205s look tight.

The offset is bang on 38mm.  Maybe a spacer or two....

I think Rotorhead is right about the turning circle tho - it was crap with the 17s on.  Much better with the standard set up (which looks pony).

Form or function? What to do....:confused:

[Don Pamponi]

Well popular opinion says they will go, but it may take Arnie to turn the wheel.

Where can I get power steering?

[MikeLMR]

if you were very lucky power steering may have been an option in japan ... but even then you\'d need to find a good steering box + pump + reservoir + lines.

oh and 195\'s will fit perfectly well on a 7" rim, IMHO 215 is the one thats borderline for 7" wheels.

[Don Pamponi]

Really im thinking about a rack & pinion conversion, its a sports car it should have better steering than this.  Spoils the car  I think.

So, why was yours off the road Mike?

Mine still looses its clutch.  If you hold the pedal down for a few seconds it stays on the floor.

No fluid leaks tho.  MC?  Oh, one of the lines is higher than the reservoir, so maybe it airlocks.  We\'ll see today.

[MikeLMR]

was off the road as I fitted uprated suspension over the winter ... It may be coming off the road again soon for some more interesting work to be done

strange problem with the clutch ... I can only think that its an airlock

[Don Pamponi]

Aha!  Fixed the clutch at last.  It was down to a dodgy union and airlock I think.

All ready for the turbo next monday!:burnout

[MikeLMR]

who\'s fitting that for you ? or are you DIY\'ing it ?

[mpk490p]

ive been running 215/40/16\'s on mine fine, i rolled the arches and had spcers put on the front, not sure how wide will check when the wheels of next, i\'m running modified lowered springs also it\'s tight but they do fit.
I\'m looking at 18\'s now but don\'t think 7.5jj will fit and the choice on 7j\'s is limited. but if fitted with 215/35/18\'s they will go

[Don Pamponi]

The chap who sold me the kit is a mechanic by trade (and one of our members) and he is going to fit it with me.

It looks pretty simple as these things go.  But adding an intercooler to an elford kit, now THATS gonna be hard.

[MikeLMR]

aren\'t the Elford turbos a draw through turbo arangement ? adding an intercooler will cause the fuel to drop out of suspension and lead to the dangerous build up of fuel in the intercooler

it\'d be easier to ditch the whole intake side of things and go to efi or blow through wouldn\'t it ?

[Don Pamponi]

Ya fur sure, but where can you get all that kit (fitted) for £400?

As far a power per pound goes you cant beat the eford kit.  I did look into the jap turbo with EFI but you are talking £1500+ just to get the bits, if you can find them all, and then you have to pay someone who knows more than me to fit it and set it up properly.

I\'m keeping it simple.

If I spend that much it will be for a 13B turbo II lump.  (and rack & pinion conversion)

[MikeLMR]

how are you going to fit the intercooler then ? or was that just on the wish list and not included in £400 budget ?

Mike