Which Wheels and Tyres?

[Westfaling]

Guys
FYI Pretty useful website here to idenitfy different wheel/tyre combos for fit. You ned to know offset for the wheels.

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

Put your standard wheel/tyre specs in the left side and it compares any alternates on the right.
Nick

[Stagsongas]

The PCD of 99s (and some of the earlier 900s) are the same as Stags as are many Jap cars. Unlike MGBs which have larger studs, the Stag has smaller studs meaning that a number of Japanese wheels can fit .

Chas,

I was poised to order wheels last week when a thread popped up about the wheel nuts begin too small. What I learned from that (no central register) combined with what you say here (smaller studs) is what stopped me. Small studs taking all of the loads without a central register. Hmmm, I'm taking time to think on this.

I can only assume that the Stag was originally designed by a group of engineers who chose steel wheels using tapered nuts in tapered depressions in order to provide the wheel centreing function. Then another group came along with parralel and undersized tubular nuts (to resist siezure) to mount their later alloys, but the two didn't talk to each other, so the whole issue got left as it was, small studs being overloaded and wheels at liberty to rotate until one side of an undersized nut touches one side of the hole.

These days, a car design would not pass type approval with a similar arrangement. I'm looking at possible ways of providing a central register, and that may influnce the choice of replacement wheels in that the central bore could be incompatible with the central register solution.

Regards

Steve

[Stagsongas]

Guys
FYI Pretty useful website here to idenitfy different wheel/tyre combos for fit. You ned to know offset for the wheels.

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

Put your standard wheel/tyre specs in the left side and it compares any alternates on the right.
Nick

Thanks Nick,

I'll certainly be making use of that.

Regards

Steve

[Westfaling]

Steve
Standard Stag alloy is 5 1/2" with 28 mm offset.
Not sure that the original wheel nuts were undersized at 18.7 mm dia approx. It's just that being alloy they don't last that long and it seems the replacements at 18.1 mm are too small. it may be that they work fine with the repro stag alloys which may have smaller holes Someone else would have to confirm that.
Nick

[David Maddern]

IMG00008-20100716-2005.jpgI've gone for 15" Minilites with a 205 tyre, minimises the sidewall flex and definitely makes the drive more predictable, they also look great.

[Stagsongas]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]22881[/ATTACH]I've gone for 15" Minilites with a 205 tyre, minimises the sidewall flex and definitely makes the drive more predictable, they also look great.

Yep, the reduction in sidewall flexibility was what I was after in the first place, I've just gotten sidetracked. Still, I'll be looking at stud loading etc. just because I have to now I've begun, and wheel rim side loads will increase with less flexible tyres.

Low profiles (65 I'm thinking), polybushes and the drive shaft greasedance should set the car up quite well. Then I guess it'll be shocks. Stag or Meccano, what's the difference?

Regards

Steve

He who dies with the most toys wins

[Westfaling]

Guys
FYI Only I notice that the Challenger wheels (15" similar to Stag alloys) are still for sale new down here.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/wheels-tyres/alloy-wheels/auction-607660894.htm

Regards
Nick

[Stagsongas]

Guys
FYI Only I notice that the Challenger wheels (15" similar to Stag alloys) are still for sale new down here.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/wheels-tyres/alloy-wheels/auction-607660894.htm

Regards
Nick

Nick,

They are nice...The look of originals but even better, less heavy looking. Not realistic to ship to UK though, been through all that before!

Anyhow, I found what seems to be a very good deal on minator wheels and tyres so I took the plunge. Not radical, not arch scrapers or anything but just enought to freshen up the look and sharpen the handling a little. They may even be delivered today, when they are fitted up I shall tell and share all.

One thing for me to ponder - should I sell the originals? I have 4 original alloys in VGC, all with brand new Firestone 185/14's and a spare which does not have the black picked out but sitll has a brand new Firestone. I could take an exchange on the spare, as long as I have something that fits the car and the wheel well. It's al very well keeping stuff but will I ever want to put them back on? I guess I'll have to find out first. What do you guys think ? Keep or sell?

Regards

Steve

[Stagsongas]

OK, the wheels did arrive today...

Stag3.jpg

I stumbled over an offer that was hard to refuse on the interweb.

4 x 5.5 x 15 Minators with a new set of Roadstone 185 65 15's (88 H rated) fitted and balanced on the inside of the rim. 16 taper seat nuts and 4 Triumph-alike wheel centres come as part of the deal. I was pleased to find a set of wheels with taper seat nuts which will centre the wheels properly*

The supplier is a firm called MGB Hive in Camb.s. They do list the package on Flea Bay which gives a pic. The price, incl. delivery and VAT was £484.90 total. I thought that was exceptionally good value so I jumped in.

The tyres were warmed from road use within an hour of the delivery, a kid with new toys! I wish I could do the Brands meet but that's impossible. I thought my car looked OK before but now I think is is transformed into looking stunning whilst it certainly handles better due to the 65 profile, and the car looks more poised sitting on 15's. I'm chuffed to bits with it and it'll get some wear the weekend, as long as it doesn't rain!

Have to fix that softop next.....

Disclaimer;

I have no connection to MGB hive, never heard of them before. I am also not deriding any other offers from any other company, nor do I claim the deal I got is the best. I'm just happy with what I got for what I paid, simple as that.

* I took a look at the hubs and it is certainly possible to make and fit centre adapters to take some of the load off the studs, but I'm going to wait and see what I do with the brakes first.

Regards

Steve

[Guest]

That looks very smart, I believe there is a little classic car meet at the Reindeer Inn on the Worcester road Ombersley on Sunday morning, think I might pop along with the wife and kids and have a bacon butty if you're up for it?

Jason

[Westfaling]

I've used the MGBHive a number of times. I've had an MGB for 15 years. They are a good company never had any problems but they won't ship down here.
Nick

[Stagsongas]

That looks very smart, I believe there is a little classic car meet at the Reindeer Inn on the Worcester road Ombersley on Sunday morning, think I might pop along with the wife and kids and have a bacon butty if you're up for it?

Jason

Jason,

Full on day tomorrow but I can be there 9.30 for an hour. See you there.

Regards

Steve

[Guest]

Jason,

Full on day tomorrow but I can be there 9.30 for an hour. See you there.

Regards

Steve

Steve, same here, we will be there for 9.30 for about an hour then it's off to take the kids for their swimming lesson, SWMBO then wants to go into Kiddy to do some shopping

Jason

[Stagsongas]

Steve, same here, we will be there for 9.30 for about an hour then it's off to take the kids for their swimming lesson, SWMBO then wants to go into Kiddy to do some shopping

Jason

Lookin' forward to a bacon sarnie!

Regards

Steve

[Stagsongas]

Footnote;

Having done around 100 miles the weekend I can confirm that my car handles better on 185 65 15's

A LOT better.

Regards

Steve