74Tii Big Brake and Suspension upgrade-wheels sizes?

[NYNick]

I've tackled the Big Brake upgrade and installed H&R Sport Springs. The car's been painted and the fenders haven't been rolled or altered. I'm starting to think about wheels and what I can run, albeit prematurely. I've got two sets of stock 13" steelies I could refurb. One set is 5" and the other 5 1/2", but I'm thinking maybe 6" would be better. I've located a set of 6x14's bottle caps, but I don't know their offset yet.

 

What offsets will fit this setup? Will 6x14's be okay? Should I just refurb the 5 1/2x13's and call it a day? Will they fit? I'll probably just sell the 5's and keep the 5 1/2's either way, but I'm looking for some input from those more technically knowledgeable and experienced than I.

 

Thanks

 

Nick

[jireland2002]

Go to the IE motorsport website - www.iemotorsport.com - and click on the "tech" section on the left side of the front page.  There is a whole write up on wheels.

['76mintgrün'02]

I have 5 1/2 inch steel wheels.

They came off of an e21 and have an offset of ET19 (I think).

That makes them sit about half an inch farther out.

The front fenders had been rolled, when they were put on.

If I hit a pot hole while making a sharp turn, they rub a tiny bit.

It has only happened a couple times though.

Rolling is probably needed for the 5 12" wheels... 

based on my limited experience.

Oh yeah, I have 185/70 tires.

[Mark92131]

I did the Volvo Caliper "Big Brake" upgrade and ST Sport Springs on my 75 and ran the 14" bottlecaps without issue.  The 13" stock wheels were too small to fit over the larger calipers without rubbing.  You may need to test fit the 13" rims to see if they will fit.  Some people have shaved the caliper slightly to clear the stock rims.  The HR Sport Springs you are using shouldn't drop the car enough to cause tire rub unless the offset is outside the recommended ET25 - ET29 range.

 

Mark92131

['76mintgrün'02]

Obviously my e21 rims are not within the recommended specs and I should add that I installed H&R sport springs and removed the strut spacers.

 

A little fender lip rolling and the rubbing is a non-issue for me.

 

The steering gets 'heavier' as the scrub radius is changed.

Stock offset is appealing for that reason, as well as avoiding clearance issues.

 

I have no input about big brake fitment.

[TobyB]

I can't imagine having any trouble with bottlecaps up to about a 225 tire- and then they will likely rub on the inside.

 

I agree with Tom- check the fit of the 13's, as it's tight, and some seem to fit where others don't.  I slotted the Volvo

calipers, and then only ground a minimal amount off the caliper surface for extra margin.  Wheel weights

can also cause trouble, depending on where they are on the inside.

 

You should be fine for fender clearance.

 

t

 

[NYNick]

I was going to use the E12 calipers. What's the deal with Volvo calipers?

18 hours ago, TobyB said:

I can't imagine having any trouble with bottlecaps up to about a 225 tire- and then they will likely rub on the inside.

 

I agree with Tom- check the fit of the 13's, as it's tight, and some seem to fit where others don't.  I slotted the Volvo

calipers, and then only ground a minimal amount off the caliper surface for extra margin.  Wheel weights

can also cause trouble, depending on where they are on the inside.

 

You should be fine for fender clearance.

 

t

 

 

[TobyB]

Oh, E12 for tii struts, the Volvo caliper is very similar, except that it has the bolt pattern for the standard strut.

Apparently I can't read titles today.  Sorry.

 

t

Edited March 11, 2017 by TobyB