Marcos 1600,
There are a few things that you need to consider
with wheel changes. The two most important are tire diameter and backspace. Paul
D. wrote in with similar comments.
I'm using a tire with about a 22 1/4" diameter
(205/60-13) on stock 13" Marcos alloys which is about as wide as you can fit on
a 5 1/2" wide rim. I also have a Bugeye project where I am using 14 X 5 1/2"
wire wheels off a Triumph Stag. On this, I'm using a 185/60 -14 which also has a
22 1/4" diameter. These are both what I consider "old school" performance tires
from my autocross days (with a Scirocco) in the late '70s -early '80s, which are
getting harder to find today. 16" and 17" performance today are everywhere
in the same diameters as the 13" an 14" from yesterday (My Mini Cooper has
215/40-17 tires that are 22 3/4" diameter!).
Backspace is just as important as diameter. My
Marcos alloys have 2 7/8". I measured several other wheels just for reference.
Keep in mind, knock-off (centerlock) wheels need to include the splined adapter
if it is a bolt-on type. I used a splined adapter installed for the two wires I
measured.
2 7/8" - stock 5 1/2 X 13 Marcos
alloys
4 3/8" - stock 5 1/2 X 13 Triumph TR7/8 (same 3
3/4" bolt circle as Marcos)
3 7/8" - American Racing 7 X 13 Libre
3 1/2" - Triumph Stag 5 1/2 X 14 Dunlop wire
wheel
2 1/2" - generic Dunlop 4 1/2 X 15 wire wheel
(Healey 100-6, TR 3, etc)
This list shows the wide variation in backspace.
Check the backspace ;for the wheels you are looking at (as well as your
current wheels) to see if they will work with your axle
combination.
I was fitting a TR8 axle (same lug pattern as
Marcos) under my Marcos using the TR8 wheels for mock-up. It all
fit in the stock wheel wells, only slightly wider than the original Cortina
axle. Then I put on the Marcos wheels and they stick way out beyond the
fenders! The rim change effectively widen the track by 3". Now, I am going
to shorten a Rover SD1 axle housing 3 1/2" narrower that the TR8 axle and
still use the 3:08 gear so I can retain my original Marcos
alloys.
The final recommendation - Research and do your
homework! I hope this helps.
Donny - # 5514
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2006 4:39
PM
Subject: [MarcosManiacs] "Mini-Lite" 14"
wheels on Marcos 1600GT?
I have a chance to get a set of replica "Mini-Lite" knock-off wheels at a
decent price.
The question is if they will have a usable back-space and
width?
I do not want them to rub, and absolutely will not flare the wheel
arches.
My car came with Mini-Lite 13" true mag wheels.
High
performance tire selection seems limited for 13", and going to spline hubs
cures an
issue with differing bolt patterns with the Alfa-Romeo axle I
plan to fit.
Not sure what the Max. diameter is for tires to fit, with
that I can see about 14" Dia. tire
possibilities.
Any informed
advice much
appreciated!
