All,
I've been asked by several members of the list to
expand upon my latest acquisition; a set of Panasport 15"x7"
(+0mm-offset, 3.9"-backspace, silver finish), for "Rags" (1974 TR6,
Comm #CF25186UO).
Before I start, many thanks to Roger Bolick (rgb@exact.exact.com)
who preceded my purchase and helped enormously in this venture,
and Ken Streeter and Bob Lang for their discussions on tyre choice.
I purchased the DOT-approved versions from "K-Speed".
The price is $189 each if you belong to a bon-fide club they recognize.
Shipping was $30 (from Florida to San Diego), and the wheel nuts are
good value at $2 each; they are very well made, chromed and radiused.
For me, the wheels bolted right on, with no immediate clearance
problems. However, Roger Bolick appeared to have some problems with the
upper A-arm bolt, and so replaced the 2.5" grade-8 with a 2.25"
grade-8 and reversed them. I did the same. Roger also noted
that I could use only "stick on" weights on the inside of the wheel,
as the upper-A-arm would rip off normal weights. Ditto for me.
At first I did not note any clearance problems, but there has
been some slight rubbing on the left-hand rim only, incurred at (near?)
full-lock and at speed. I wonder why? Anyway, an angle-grinder
soon cured that; I removed some of the non-structural component
from the upper A-arm where it was rubbing. I've not noticed any
tyre rubbing.
I've not gone over the suspension yet, but I will be going
the rubber-bushing route soon. I wont be going the urethane route
because I would like to preserve some compliancy in the ride.
I dont want to change the way it handles too much, but I will
rebush in urethane the stock sway-bars.
As for tyres, I am running the same BFG 205/70 "Touring T/A's"
that I had on the steel rims. Not very sticky with a lot of sidewall
flex, but they have very similar diameter to the original red-lines.
I did contemplate Yoko, Bridgestone Potenza's or Dunlop M40s
in 215/65 (which have the same diameter) or 215/60 (will lower the car
1/2" or so and alter my odometer readings). However, I note that anything
larger than 205 width will have the front tyres protruding beyond
the front fenderwell. When I look at the car from the front, the track
does "seem" to have widened. It must be due to the extra width and
different offset/backspace of the Pana wheel. This would be
exagerated further if you use 1/4" spacers.
Had I kept the original steel wheels, I could go to a larger size
without this problem. Now I'm glad I stuck with the 205s.
Because I am using the same tyres that I had on the steel rims,
a "driving" comparison of the two rims is possible. The car seems to
steer better now than with the steel wheels; perhaps the steel wheels
were flexing? The car seems better balanced in uneven corners, probably
because of lower unsprung weight and extra track.
They look fabulous! British cars look great on Minilites and
their look-a-likes. IMHO, I think darker-coloured cars benefit the most,
because the wheels are very bright! I'm keeping the steel rims for
originality.
Shane Ingate in San Diego
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