Wheel and tyre sizes for Europa / 47 Body

[StrawberryCheesecake]

I've got hold of a set of revolution alloys in 5.5 and 7x13 for the Europa / 47 Rep.

I'm thinking that 185/60/13 front and 205/60/13 on the rear would be about right. Any experience of driving on those sizes?  I'll probably go for performance/track focused tyres such as Toyo R888, as I don't plan to do a lot of road miles. I've driven R888s on other cars, and I'm aware that they come with a lot of road noise included.

I just got the rims back from the powder coaters. I think the gold finish should work well with the Gold Leaf paint job. Not a full refurb - just a blast and powder coat for £30 a wheel. 

Pics for interest.

[StrawberryCheesecake]

Pic of the body to give an idea of rear arch dimensions. I think it's fairly standard. Does anyone know the stock width between the rear arches, so I can check?

[Valerio Leone]

well are you keeping the 46/54 chassis?
If yes, then you have to enlarge the rear fenders.

I am using 7 inch revolution for the rear wheels.

[StrawberryCheesecake]

Hi Valerio

It's a Spyder chassis, rather than a lotus original.

What size tyres are you running on the rear?

[Valerio Leone]

I am using the Dunlop Racing 525M 13.
overall width is 210mm

But I suggest to make a made-to-measure job. That means put your chassis with suspension, wheels and tires with your Bodyshell.
And then take the measurements and work on the fenders, this will help you not to waist money and time afterward.
I am pretty sure that every Europas display different measurements.

[StrawberryCheesecake]

I agree that there will be variability even within a group of shells from the same mould.

I will have the body back on the chassis to measure up before I start the paint process

Any body measurements I can get hold of in the meantime, will be useful for comparison purposes.

The car looks great, incidentally. Is it originally an S2? Details like the door handles and front indicators don't look like S1.

[Valerio Leone]

it is actually and S2 with S1 tail light.

if it can help I am posting some photos where you can see my fender job. The wheels are really fit in in Millimetres of clerance.

[BDA]

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but your car looks fabulous, Valerio!

 

[StrawberryCheesecake]

Doesn't it just ...

[Valerio Leone]

thank you guys!!
I am convinced that all europas are beautiful once we adjust the 3/4 front view fitting larger wheels and enlarging the rear fenders.
Technical Shop Happy in Japan know it very well.
 

[StephenH]

I'm running 185/60/13 R888 front and rear on 5.5 rims.
Never noticed the noise, over the exhaust and Webers.......

The 205 might be a little wide on 5.5 rims, but I agree the size would look right if you go towards the 47 bodywork look.

[StrawberryCheesecake]

My thought was that the 7" rims on the rear will need a 205 tyre to fit properly., leading to 185s on the front and 205s rear I also bought a set of 6" revolutions on eBay today :-)

[ezuskin]

I have been driving with R888 186/60/13 all around. They only like smooth roads and tight turns. On repaired back roads with bumps and ridges they will try to steer the car pulling me in surprising directions at times, very go cart type of ride. A well paved twisty road will restore your faith in a supreme being with these tires but other type roads, city streets, I am fighting them to go where I choose. They want to follow every line, ridge, etc. A love/hate relationship.

[BDA]

What spring rates are you running? At one time I know I had 250#/in on the front and it seemed darty so I reduced the spring rate. I have 15" wheels rather than 13.

[ezuskin]

I have the AVO from Banks with fast street setup. Richard does not advertise spring rate but it is definitely "darty" and was not that way when I had the red Konis that I traded out for other suspension parts years ago. Definitely something to pursue. What spring rate are you running now?