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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Wheels......How wide?

I have a 1980 Mgb, just trying to figure out how wide to go without any major mods to the bodywork, but i probably will roll the wheel arch lip up. I've got a borg warner t5 with .63 fifth gear.
1.wheel size 14,15 or 16" ?
2.how wide? 5.5,6 or 7"?
3.offset?
4.tyre size/comp?
And finally, where can i acquire, would like slot mags
like those fitted on early Z cars...Cheers Dave.





Dave Ross

I have 195-60-14 on my GT. Will clear all body work on the street. Needed panhard bar for track use. Remember that MGB rear ends are known to be quite cassually located at the factory. Side to side clearance seems to vary a lot from car to car. I went to my local tire dealer and had him mount some worn outs tires he had on a rim. Then tried them on the car. Cheap way to know for sure.

Pete
Pete

Slotted mags as used on early Z cars will bolt right up to your MG.
George B.

Dave, I used 6" rims on my '79 but due to the offset of the rear axle to the left(very common) I had to get offset wheels. This did not help much. The wheels hit the bump stop with very little G forces on a right turn. The tires rubbed on the front stabilizer bar on slow tight turns. I have never tried to correct the problems because there isn't a stab. bar made that will afford clearance and the rear axle appears to be manufactured in a offset position. Dann
Dann

I have run a variety of wheels, from 14 x 7 to 15 x 6 1/2, almost all with a Datsun 280 Z offset. If you use a wire wheel rear with the steel wheel hubs, you narrow the rear by about 1 1/2". This gives you room for wheel spacers to correct the factory location of the rear- usually offset to the left 1/8-3/8". The largest tires I have mounted were 205/60/14. I am now running 195/65/15 with no rubbing. The 14" tire/wheel combos all rubbed the sway bar in front under full lock. In the rear, a large hammer will solve the bump stop interference.
Jim

Dave,

I assume you nave a V8 as Wide tyres on a standard B will probably make the handling rather dull and add extra unsprung weight.

The tyres act as part of suspension so a 60% profile should be retained for some comfort.

Uprated brakes fit with 15in wheels.

Matching tyre width to power I would look to RV8 which uses 205/65/15 on 6J. The MG Supersports uses 215's on 7.5ins. Power steering is now available.

Interference on front can be overcome by restricting lock.

The left wheel rear arch is major hurdle and depends very much on your own car. The standard offset is ET 22 and by using say ET 38 you can fit a larger tyre than you currently use. With deep pockets you can have made to measure wheels front and back if not you may need to use spacers on the front to keep same pivot radius.

The good point although expensive about using wider and lower profile boots in the UK is you can choose from the top of the range tyres from Bridgestone, Goodyear Michelin Pirelli.

Paul
Paul

Jim

I didn't understand what you said about using wire wheel rear with steel wheel hubs.
Maybe you could explain it to me in very simple terms. Thanks
Marc

Marc,

The w/w axle is approx 1.5 ins narrower. Never had wires but I assume there is no offset unlike steel.

Paul
Paul

I haven't bothered to measure it exactly yet, but my wirewheel tube axle is offset at least an inch toward the (left) drivers side. Joe
Joe Ullman

The guy who painted my car folded up the rear wheelarch lips & then "eased" the tops of the wheelarches out a further 10mm with a Port-o-dyne tool.10mm might not sound much ,but every little helps,& it is not at all noticeable. I'm using 6" rims & 195x65 tyres.
Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

These wheels all seem to be squueezed inside standard B wings. Anyone know what offsets should be used to make the wheel fill a Sebring style wing?

If the offset is too big on the front won't the steering be more sensitive to bumps feeding back to the driver with a jerk on the wheel (not behinf the wheel!)

Alan
Alan Boother

This thread was discussed between 26/10/2001 and 31/10/2001

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