Halibrand Replica Wheels on a MK 1

[bmackrell]

The Roadster MK 1 I just purchased needs new tires so I was thinking about replacing the original wheels with the F5 Halibrand replica wheels. The wheels on the car now are the original 5 spoke chrome Cobra R wheels both 17 x 9 so thats a no brainer to use the same sizes. I was trying to determine if I could possibly go with the staggered set that F5 offers that are 17 x 9 (front) and 17 x 10.5 (rear). It looks really close when I've measured the spacing underneath.

Anyone try to put the larger rear wheels on a MK 1?

Thanks,

BillMac

[Big Blocker]

10.5" wheels are generally for a 315 tire and will you will need to do the 315 mod to get them under your car. Clearance is critical back there, especially if you have the original 4-link with the quad shock brackets.

I have 315's on my early MK-II but it's tight . . . and I did the 315 mod when I did the drop-butt mod.

Measure everything with the wheel alone, make up some cardboard templates to verify they will work. Good buddy of mine with an early MK-I had to stick to 2.95's on 9" rims.

Call F5 and talk to their Tech's about this possibility, when you order the wheels.

Doc

[Derald Rice]

The accepted wheel size for the MK1-MK2's was a 17x8 front and a 17x9.5 on the rear. With 245/45/17 front and 275/40/17 rear tires.

Problem with these wheel sizes is that a lot of the tire mfgr's have dropped the 245/45/17 and/or the 275/40/17. Finding a set of matched tires for those sizes is iimited to just a few choices. I am in that boat right now, and I am trying get off the fence as to what I will do.

[R. Button]

You might want to look at the Riken RAPTOR ZR A/S - SIZES: 275/40ZR17 & 245/45ZR17. Great rain tires, and quiet too on dry roads. For the price I don't mind that they are not designed for high mileage. I had to switch to the Riken tires when Goodyear stopped making the Eagle F1 Gs-D3 tires.

[bmackrell]

10.5" wheels are generally for a 315 tire and will you will need to do the 315 mod to get them under your car. Clearance is critical back there, especially if you have the original 4-link with the quad shock brackets.

I have 315's on my early MK-II but it's tight . . . and I did the 315 mod when I did the drop-butt mod.

Measure everything with the wheel alone, make up some cardboard templates to verify they will work. Good buddy of mine with an early MK-I had to stick to 2.95's on 9" rims.

Call F5 and talk to their Tech's about this possibility, when you order the wheels.

Doc

Thanks, I'll research those mods. I took some more measurements last night and its just to close to risk at this point. I'll need to decide whether to attempt those mods now or finish going through the car and fixing all the little things.

BillMac

[bmackrell]

You might want to look at the Riken RAPTOR ZR A/S - SIZES: 275/40ZR17 & 245/45ZR17. Great rain tires, and quiet too on dry roads. For the price I don't mind that they are not designed for high mileage. I had to switch to the Riken tires when Goodyear stopped making the Eagle F1 Gs-D3 tires.

Ralph,

I've looked at a bunch of tires and have pretty much decided on the Nittos but I'll look at the Rikens today. Not looking for an all-weather tire but one of the more high performance summer tires.

BillMac

[bmackrell]

The accepted wheel size for the MK1-MK2's was a 17x8 front and a 17x9.5 on the rear. With 245/45/17 front and 275/40/17 rear tires.

Problem with these wheel sizes is that a lot of the tire mfgr's have dropped the 245/45/17 and/or the 275/40/17. Finding a set of matched tires for those sizes is iimited to just a few choices. I am in that boat right now, and I am trying get off the fence as to what I will do.

Derald,

I'm finding thats true, there aren't many of the high performance tires in 245/45/17 front and 275/40/17 rear. That issue if affecting my decision too. I'll let you know what I go with.

BillMac

[bmackrell]

Currently looking at the Nitto NT01 or NT555 G2 tires. most of the other high performance tires don't have the matching sizes.

[David Williamson]

also look at 255/40/17 for the fronts, they fit well on the 17X9 wheels. I have 17X9 and 17X10.5 Bullit replica wheels on my Mkll. if you are using Fox front spindles and the wheels you are looking at are the same dimension as the Bullitts you will need a small spacer to clear the FFR spindle adaptor. I have 275/40/17's on the back and they are fine on the 10.5 wide wheels. My current tires are Nito 555 G2
David W

[bmackrell]

David,

How do you like the Nitto 555 G2s? They seem like the best choice so far.

BillMac

[Jeff Kleiner]

For a street car go with the 555G2; decent performance that are tolerant of cool temperatures and wet roads (within reason). I've run the NT-01s because my car sees a lot of autocross and track time; they're a DOT compliant race tire that sticks like a cat on carpet but can't handle rain or cool temperatures and last about 5,000 miles.

Jeff

[David Williamson]

The Nitto 555 G2 is a good street tire. I put them on my Mkll and Dinan tuned BMW 335i last year replacing Michelin PSll on both cars and I am happy with them. The Michelin has slightly more grip off the line and on the street you will never find the cornering limits.
David W

[weendoggy]

FWIW: I run a 245/40-17 F. and 285/40-17 R. Continental Extreme Contact on Team III wheels. The fronts are a strong 8" and rears are 10.5". These are great street tires and also have used them on a wet track. I also own a MKI.

[bmackrell]

FWIW: I run a 245/40-17 F. and 285/40-17 R. Continental Extreme Contact on Team III wheels. The fronts are a strong 8" and rears are 10.5". These are great street tires and also have used them on a wet track. I also own a MKI.

Weendog,

How were you able to 10.5 wheel on the back of a MK I? Do you make any suspension or frame mods as stated above?

Regards,

BillMac

[weendoggy]

Sorry, the 10.5" are my track wheels. My Team III's are 10". I still run the 285/40-17 for street and have IRS. I even modified my LCA a few years ago to extend them by 3/4" so I wouldn't rub the inner aluminum. I have not done the 315-mod and just trimmed the 2x3 channel so I wouldn't risk any wheel/tire rub. Now it all clears nicely and I run -2° camber.