This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
Just run a few calculations through the 'will they fit?' software.
The MWS wheels at ET -16 and splined adaptors which effectively increase the wheel 'poke' by another 31.75mm (1.25"), give an equivalent of ET - 47.5mm.
Looking at the BMW Z3 as a potential donor, compared to the factory fit 7x16 ET38 alloys, the wires will 'poke' 73mm further out, widening the track by 5 & 3/4".
Even looking at some of the huge optional alloys that Z3's tend to wear - the biggest I found that I think are meant to fit on the front were 9x18 ET 40's - they'll still 'poke' out another 50mm, widening the track by 4".
There's probably two inches clearance to play with at the back, especially if a 'narrow body' donor is used, but I think it might be a struggle to get them to fit on the front without fouling the arches of the SWB shell. Shame.
Sorry should have explained, ET of -16 includes the splined adaptors, so based on the Mx5 with a std wheel of et 45 they stick out 60mm plus half the difference between the rims (5.5 vs 6.0") so 67 mm in all.
Sorry should have explained, ET of -16 includes the splined adaptors, so based on the Mx5 with a std wheel of et 45 they stick out 60mm plus half the difference between the rims (5.5 vs 6.0") so 67 mm in all.
Ah, that makes more sense and reduces the extra 'poke' to between 18 and 41mm compared to 'standard' wheels. That should be a lot more manageable.
Paul L,
Hi again, as is often the case with a question such as 'can I legally remove the air bags (and some other modern stuff) to fit a wood rim steering wheel and make the cab of a Z3 look older, there are many variations of reply and the water ends up very muddied. I'll speak privately to Kevin Rooney when I'm nearer to getting started to get his answer.
A friend of mine had a customer's Bertini in yesterday so I went to look at the concept of a Z3 rebody, although I'm not interested in that actual model. I like the idea and am off to look at a 2.8 Z3 today. If that's ok, I'll be ready for when the 250 kit is ready.
The airbag sensor is located just in front of the gear stick and when you remove that the warning light on the dashboard goes out. On mine there was no passenger airbag fitted .
Working my way around the car prepping for the moulding process, I have always thought the "shoulder' of the rear wing could be improved upon. So before it was too late, out came the grinder.
