Any wheel choices for a GTA turbo?

I'm very interested in fitting wider wheels to a GTA Turbo in combination with a little suspension lowering. I definitely want to stick with a 15" diameter wheel but want something that will fill out those arches more.

Tyre availability is now an issue with the 15" size, I know but personally I feel that GTAs look "over-wheeled" with seventeens.

Is there anything at all to recommend - either new, or to track down secondhand? I don't mind if tyres cost twice as much as they normally would, since I'll be doing low miles.

Has anyone looked into getting a custom set of wheels made? Maybe I could go the split-rim route and have some centres machined. Doubt it would be cheap, though. Just a thought, as I suspect it won't be easy to find what I'm looking for and maybe even more difficult to find an attractive rim design.

Any advice, offset (etc.) information, tyre choices, suspension recommendations or accusations of lunacy (on the getting a custom set machined) will be gratefully received.

You could go spacers as that would be far easier - Dave sells them.

Width wise the Le Mans wheels are wider but use the same 255 width - the shoulders just expand more when on the rim, yes obviously they're 17s but the principals the same.

Likewise I think 275 is as far as it goes on a 15inch but as rare almost as the standard 15 inch 255s. BBS split rims existed for some GTAs on standard 15s so anything is possible but really it's budget.

First thing though - are you actually running the 'full fat' 255 section tyres? So many people now use 225s and they look very narrow compared with the 'official' size.

BBS split rims existed for some GTAs on standard 15s so anything is possible but really it's budget.

I've never seen these. I'm not sure of the make of the wheel fitted to the Le Mans - not BBS but definitely in the style of say, the BBS RS001. If some regular GTAs had a similar wheel in a 15" diameter but maybe a little wider (I think the standard Turbo alloys are 6.5" and 8.5"??) that would be interesting. I wonder if these 15" BBSs ever made it out of France on an Alpine?

First thing though - are you actually running the 'full fat' 255 section tyres? So many people now use 225s and they look very narrow compared with the 'official' size.

She's running the standard Pirelli tyres - I could have sworn that they're 245s but I'm probably wrong and I'm not near the garage to confirm.

Maybe someone will know what other cars with BBS split-rims might have the same PCD as the Alpines? I know that new outer rims can be acquired for them quite easily.

Oh, and thanks for the info. BTW.

Original Lambo Countach had 335's on 15" wheels if I remember rightly. Personally I would highly recommend going up an inch or 2 as it doesn't upset the ride too much and the improvement in front end grip is massive. I've had 15,16 an 17 inch rims and prefer the 17's. Theres not much around nowadays tyre wise for large width 15" rims.

Original Lambo Countach had 335's on 15" wheels if I remember rightly.

Yes, I think you're right, there. Campagnolo wheels, too. Some of those old Italian rims are beautiful and don't some A110s wear Gottis?. The later De Tomaso Pantera's (GT5 or GT5S) with the wide factory arches had 14" wide rear wheels. I sat behing one at the lights once and also liked the way the engine cover would vibrate when the big Ford V8 was idling.

Personally I would highly recommend going up an inch or 2 as it doesn't upset the ride too much and the improvement in front end grip is massive.

That might come in handy when the tank is a bit low.

I think the Le Mans looks fantastic but I just don't go for the appearance of a standard bodied GTA on the big diameter stuff. Maybe It's just me.

I guess fifteens on the front and sixteens on the rear might be a compromise that could keep me quiet.

When I said 275 I meant in context of an Alpine, I think the Gp4 310s ran these. Definitely check whether you've got the 255s.

335s for Lambos, De Tomatoes and of course Mr Dells Fat Boy cabrio GTA.

The BBS split rims were roughly the same size I think as the normal 15s, and yes some did make it to the UK as an expensive option.

As Tony says 17s work wonders in terms of handling and fit nicely but it's all down to taste isn't it. Spacers would work well if you just wanted to push the wheels out more.

Radbourne Racing used to offer Fagix wheels wheels which were standard size but looked better than the standard wheels, I don't know if there are any knocking about anywhere. The body kitted car I sold Tony Law recently had them fitted.

[stephendell]

335s for Lambos, De Tomatoes and of course Mr Dells Fat Boy cabrio GTA.

The BBS split rims were roughly the same size I think as the normal 15s, and yes some did make it to the UK as an expensive option.

The Fat Boy wears 345/35/15's

I have the OEM 15" BBS wheels on my Red GTA. They are the standard 80's fare with gold centres and silver rims. Definately genuine BBS unlike the 17/16" Le Mans wheels which are BBS style.

Tony Law will have the set of wide 15" Fagix split rims for sale shortly. Give him a call or PM.

I also have a pair of brand new 255/45/15 Yokohamas.

I saw a De Tomaso Panterra GT5S at Ally Pally this year and it had 355s on 15inch rims. The owner said that all clubs accross Europe and the States get their orders together and they get tyres manufactured at 1,000 tyres at a time. Collection is from your local USAF base, some well paid petrol head pilots also distribute them, worldwide.
HE did mention the price, I can only remember thinking 'expensive' !!!

[stephendell]

The last Fat Boy MOT was over £2K and at least half of that was a pair of rear tyres

The original Fagix wheels supplied as an alternative were 7.5 x 15 front and 10x15 rear.

Tyres were 205x45x15 front and 285x40x15 rear.
Yokohama still do these sizes or have a look at these wheels.

Wheel width - anything from 4" to 11" width in 15.



Full size pic ....

http://www.zen110376.zen.co.uk/pics/scan0001.JPG





Full size pic ....

http://www.zen110376.zen.co.uk/pics/scan0002.JPG