SE wheels/tyres on standard Turbo

[Jez007]

I've recently bought a 1988 Turbo. The previous owner replaced the standard 15" rear alloys with 16" SE alloys.

I need to replace both front and rear tyres (MOT time) and I need some advice as to what tyre sizes I should be fitting. I know that the 16" rears are normally fitted with 245/50-16.

The previous owner also fitted 205/60-15 on the front, however, the standard fitment on the front of the turbo is 195/60-15.

I am aware that on the SE, the front tyres as a standard fitment are 215/50-15. I also understand that the steering geometry was altered to lighten the steering, I'm assuming partly in line with the wider tyre fitment. Would any benefit be gained from fitting 215/50-15 on my turbo, would a 50 profile sharpen the steering, or would no benefit be gained other than making the steering even heavier.

I am concerned that even with having a different size wheel / tyre on the rear I don't want to upset the handling. Can anyone offer any advice?

I also need to know whether with different tyre sizes, even just on the rear would require any suspension geometry changes.

Cheers,

Jeremy.

[esprithk]

always follow this recommendation.

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/ET...rePressure.html

[Mark Blanchard]

I put SE wheel on my 88 Turbo and it's fine. Also fitted Goodyear Eagles GS A's - 215/50/ZR 15" front, 245/50/ZR 16" rear.

Before I was running Pirelli's on the standard wheels and the car was understeering badly and there wasn't much grip.

With the SE wheels the handling and grip is MUCH better, however the steering is heavier.

You may notice the 1990-1991 Turbo had SE wheels as standard, however the suspension geometry was different.

[bzguy]

... however the steering is heavier.

In that case, you can always take the spare wheel out ?

[Mark Blanchard]

I tried it with out the spare a few years ago, but didn

[Kato]

Still driving without the spare! Should save the steering rack over time as well. Or at least I hope it does!

On the tyre front. Anyone having trouble sourcing matching front and rears for the SE?

[Jez007]

I put SE wheel on my 88 Turbo and it's fine. Also fitted Goodyear Eagles GS A's - 215/50/ZR 15" front, 245/50/ZR 16" rear.

Before I was running Pirelli's on the standard wheels and the car was understeering badly and there wasn't much grip.

With the SE wheels the handling and grip is MUCH better, however the steering is heavier.

You may notice the 1990-1991 Turbo had SE wheels as standard, however the suspension geometry was different.

Thanks for the info Mark. I was hoping someone out there would have had a similar exprience to me.

Cheers,

Jeremy.

[tje111]

The previous owner replaced the standard 15" rear alloys with 16" SE alloys.

Me too (SE wheels) on my '89.

I followed the recommendation of Ron Earp on another PHorum and chose Dunlop SP Sport 8000's, P205/50ZR15 in front and P245/50ZR16 in the rear. I prefer the 8000 tread patern, it is less like an F1 rain tire than the SP Sport 9000.

My low-milage car came with its original Goodyear NCTs, I can tell you the Dunlops are as quiet and no harsher than the purpose-built originals.

On Track Day the balance (with spare in front boot) was perfect, at least to the extent of my car-control skills.

No surprises!

Yours,

Tom

'89 Esprit EFI

[RichardN]

Hi,

When I got my car it had SE rear and standard turbo front wheels. I found that the grip was so good from the back that, on track days or under hard cornering, it increased the understeer considerably and spoilt the balance of the car. As I couldn't afford to change the wheels back to standard I fitted 205's to the front.

It helped with the understeer but increased the heaviness of the slow speed steering considerably. As most of my driving is on normal roads the next time I change front tyres I am going back to the standard 195's

Eventually I think I will look at going back to the original turbo setup (but remember I have never driven an Esprit with the correct wheel/tyres so I am willing to be convinced otherwise. )

Always assuming I can still get tyres for it of course!

Richard

[Mark Blanchard]

I fitted 205's to the front. . . it increased the understeer considerably and spoilt the balance of the car . . . I am going back to the standard 195's.

If you

[bzguy]

Hi,

It helped with the understeer but increased the heaviness of the slow speed steering considerably. As most of my driving is on normal roads the next time I change front tyres I am going back to the standard 195's

In that case, you might test it with the spare wheel taken out ?!

When I have my Esprit back, normally V8 AWI's (see Vulcangrey's car) will be installed, and I'll take out the spare wheel as well, since AWI's have 235's in front ...