16 Inch Wheels

[BADGERBEATER]

Just wondering if anyone has any photos of 16 inch wheels on a Westfield. I'd quite like to see how they fit inside the arch.

[BEN99W]

This lot may give you some wheel inspiration: http://westfield-world.com/det_wheels.html

I'm not sure if any are 16-inch, but I know some people have even gone up to 17-inch on a westy. However, conventional wisdom says the bigger the wheel the worse the driving experience and on something as light/responsive/sensitive as a westy this is even more apparent. Bigger wheels are heavier which dulls the suspension response and creates more inertia for the acceleration and brakes to work overcome. Also with less tyre side wall the ride complience is worse.

If you must, I think these are 16 or 17 inch wheels http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1341562.htm and IMO look wrong.

Ben

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

And yet...

16" wheels were a factory fit on a number of Caterham Models, the HPC for example.

[SootySport]

As above, 16's will give an intolerable ride, ok on a GTI but somehow just don't look right on 7 type cars.

[darve]

I saw you were the most recent poster on this thread Bernie, and assumed you were going to have suggested some 13" pro race 1.2 with triple 8's

[SootySport]

They are not on Special Offer anymore

[darve]

Damn!!

They're on the special offers page but normal price when you click on them.

If you have access to a printer, print that page off (make sure shows todays date) and we may still be able to get them :yes: I would but I'm not in the office until tomorrow

[stephenh]

I would'n't use anything but either 15" or 13", personally. As to whether it fits and looks right in the arches, depends what rear arches you have. Mine has a good clearance with 15" wheels, and dwarfs my 13" wheels. That is on the sport 2000 model, detachable arches.

[BADGERBEATER]

I would'n't use anything but either 15" or 13", personally. As to whether it fits and looks right in the arches, depends what rear arches you have. Mine has a good clearance with 15" wheels, and dwarfs my 13" wheels. That is on the sport 2000 model, detachable arches.

I've got the detachable extra wide Arches for the V8. I've got 2 problems, the first one is I think the A arms were welded on in the wrong place (too far forward), so they need removing and rewelding back on before I do anything else. Then I need to find a nice set of wheels with suitable offset to fill-up the rear arch. At the moment they look ridiculous.

Someone offered me some cheap 16inch wheels - hence the question but I'm thinking I'll stick with 15 inch. I only use the car for road use (at the moment). Although I might be tempted to do a drift day or two.

Edited April 24, 2012 by BADGERBEATER

[BADGERBEATER]

16 inch?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3850818.htm

[Mark (smokey mow)]

I've got 2 problems, the first one is I think the A arms were welded on in the wrong place (too far forward), so they need removing and rewelding back on before I do anything else.

Your problem is more likely a badly fitted tub than the mounts being in the wrong place. The Westfield chassis is jig built so the chances of them being in completely the wrong place is remote, although I do accept that some of their construction tollerances can be quite wide. If you look at most westfields you'll see that it's quite normal for the wheels sit forward of the centre of the arch.

[BADGERBEATER]

Your problem is more likely a badly fitted tub than the mounts being in the wrong place. The Westfield chassis is jig built so the chances of them being in completely the wrong place is remote, although I do accept that some of their construction tollerances can be quite wide. If you look at most westfields you'll see that it's quite normal for the wheels sit forward of the centre of the arch.

I thought that too but I can't see how the tub could go any farther forward. I'd noticed it's not uncommon for some Westfields to the same problem as well. I've even seen a photo of a Caterham with the wheels not sitting centre in the arch.

[pete g]

i have run 16" wheels before on my westy with the right profile there no diameter difference. the ride will be firmer and car will not ride as well on bad roads.

plus some 16" wheels just look wrong on a westfield.

[Exsandman]

I bought mine with 16" so never known any different

[BADGERBEATER]

I bought mine with 16" so never known any different

They don't seem to bad. Have you raised the front cycle arches up a smidge from their standard position?