Re: 505 - more alloy wheel info
From: jsgrubbs2001 (jsgrubbs@hotmail.com)
Date: Tue 05 Mar 2002 - 19:57:28 EST
It would seem there is an early limit to tire size on a 505. One
thing to remember is that the front suspension geometry and offset
are what make the 505 so special. I believe this is why the stock
sidewall-to-strut gap is so tiny compared to some other cars with
similar suspension components (MacPherson/lower control arm).
Installing wheels with different offset/backspacing on the front
would destroy this...
The upper strut mounts are much closer together than the lower tip of
the strut body--if the wheels had a larger diameter, the sidewall of
the tire would be at a location where there is more distance to the
strut. Remember that it's the ballooning sidewall that ends up
rubbing the strut--the clearance between the actual wheel rim and
strut is much greater.
A 205 is about as wide as you would want to go with the stock 6" wide
rims. Perhaps a 6.5 inch X 16 inch rim (with stock offset, etc.)
would allow some 215s or maybe 225s to fit nicely in the front AND
allow the awesome factory suspension geometry to remain.
Something wider could be placed on the rear, as long as the tire did
not chaffe the inside of the rear quarter panels.
However, a mix of tire sizes front-to-rear will greatly affect the
normal balance of the car. Keep in mind that a stock 505 (when driven
sensibly) is nicely balanced--with a slight slant towards understeer.
Installing tires that are wider in the rear than in the front would
further push the balance towards understeer. Of course this would not
be a problem with greatly increased HP... But still...
BTW, Yokohama AVS Intermediates are junk when you really "drive" your
car... Blackie had a set of AVSi when the donut videos were filmed.
The tread is ultra soft and grippy (which is nice) but the sidewalls
are stupidly soft--probably a great combo for 18+ inch wheels and a
poorly tuned over-sprung suspension system.
Surprisingly the Bridgestone Potenza RE71s performed very very well
and were also inexpensive.
-Joe G
--- In peugeot-L@y..., Jim Lill <jpl@v...> wrote:
>
> It appears that PLS only offers a 4X140 wheel in 15". Politecnic
> sells a 15X7.5 version of that wheel along with a 205/50-15 tire as
> their max size.
>
> I take that as an indication of their thoughts on max tire envelope
> size irrespective of rim diameter.
>
> Jon was right about a more modern tire, ala' 16", having better
> handling. However, as you jazz the HP on a 505, you soon need more
> grip and only patch will get you there. Burnouts and donuts don't
> need more traction, but power to the ground, in any/all directions
> does.
>
> I'll lean back towards Revolution RFX wheels which I can get custom
> made. I have a 16" which was too big for the front with any good
> tire. If the mixed size approach is OK, I'll go that route.
>
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