Will new SE rims and tires affect my camber or suspension settings>?

[benjamincalleja]

i just bought the SE alloys off ebay, 225/50/15 fronts and 255/50/16 rears (with 20mm spacers, total 40mm rear track increase).

these will replace my 195/60/15 fronts and 235/60/15 rears.

from just eyeballing and feeling the room either side of the current tires lock to lock, these new tires should fit but only JUST lol....the back will be fine with the spacers (though i think it would be fine without them too!) and i think the wheels at the front left lock sees the left hand wheel MAYBE rubbing this rubber hose thing...but maybe not. will have to wait and see when they come.

Do you think i will need adjustable top links for the rear (and front?) given the large rear track width increase? by my calculation, from outside edge of tire to tire originally was 1789mm (1554 + 235) and now will be 1849mm (1594 +255). literally now the wheel will nearly be as wide as the rear arches!

[Mark Blanchard]

If you have SE alloys the tire size should be 215/50/ZR15 and 245/50/ZR16's. This wheel / tire size fits on the the Stevens Turbo fine with no spacers / alterations (they came standard on 1990-91 Esprit Turbo with the eagle chassis). The tires fitted to your alloys are no standard and wider. Probably because they couldn't find the correct size.

They've stopped making the Goodyears and Kumhos but you can still find them on ebay. I've just had a set of rear Goodyears delivered today.

Edited September 17, 2011 by Mark B

[tje111]

I would omit the spacers to start with, until you can check for possible interference. I run SE wheels on my '89, without spacers and without any geometry problems.

Yours,

Tom

[benjamincalleja]

If you have SE alloys the tire size should be 215/50/ZR15 and 245/50/ZR16's. This wheel / tire size fits on the the Stevens Turbo fine with no spacers / alterations (they came standard on 1990-91 Esprit Turbo with the eagle chassis). The tires fitted to your alloys are no standard and wider. Probably because they couldn't find the correct size.

They've stopped making the Goodyears and Kumhos but you can still find them on ebay. I've just had a set of rear Goodyears delivered today.

my car was nov 88 so is NOT an eagle chassis - hence the concern!

[Mark Blanchard]

You shouldn't be concerned, the wheels will be fine. My car is an 88 and I have had SE wheels on since 2002 with no problems.

Edited September 26, 2011 by Mark B

[benjamincalleja]

Thanks mark but do you get any front arch rub on full lock?

[red vtec]

I have an 88 Turbo and run GT3 wheels with no rubbing issues. The size areFront: 215/40ZR 17 Rear: 245/45ZR 17, no spacers fitted

[Mark Blanchard]

Hi Benjamin,

no rubbing on the wheel arch on mine. You can still get the suitable SE Goodyear tyres too. I just bought a nearly new set of Goodyear 215/50/ZR15 off ebay for the front.

[benjamincalleja]

?! where! hey just wondering too given you seem to be the premier resource for our era Esprit, my aircon/heater system seems to blow bits of what looks like grey honeycomb out of the vents sometimes....!? i can see some bigger bits that dont fit stuck inside the vents, looks like some sorts of filter or something breaking up deeper inside, what the heck is it?!

[stevem]

Wasps nest ?

[DanR]

Check the foam seal under the bonnet isn't disintegrating.

[Mark Blanchard]

For anyone interested here are 2 front tires for an SE:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/215-50-R15-Goodyear-Eagle-ZR50-Rotation-/230698305524?pt=UK_Cars_Tyres_RL&fits=Tyre+Width%3A215|Aspect+Ratio%3A50|Diameter%3A15&hash=item35b6b0c7f4

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-2155015-Goodyear-215-50-15-Eagle-ZR50-Part-Worn-Tyre-8mm-x1-WR-/200672589378?pt=UK_Cars_Tyres_RL&fits=Tyre+Width%3A215|Aspect+Ratio%3A50|Diameter%3A15&hash=item2eb904b642