13 inch wheels on a cab

Long time lurker and first post - hi everybody.

1.8 carbed 1990 Clipper fairly standard as far as I can tell. No body kit, not lowered (maybe a bit), standard arches and small bumpers. Since purchase I've been working through various small bits here and there as problems have come up. With some of that done I can think about fun stuff…

I'm currently running on 14s but am really a fan of small wheels on cars. I have a set of alloy 5x13s from (I think) a mk1 scirrocco and from a bit of reading have concluded the following:

13s should fit / clear front brakes without trouble (rears are drums, I don't think these will be a problem either)
175/70/R13s are most suitable tyre size

Going through this on here as a sanity check of sorts, and also to get some feedback / opinion on tyre choice, will the wheels fill the arches enough, and any other general conversation. Doesn't seem to be many people running 13s as far as I can see.

I'm currently looking at Dunlop StreetResponse 2s - mainly because I am a fan of the Sport BluResponse on my 14s.

Cheers
 

I'm presuming the wheels you are referring to are the 'manhole cover' style?

If so there are twp types out there. One with  ET 38 and one with ET45. Although they look similar they are slightly different. I ran ET38 on the back and ET45 on the front.

Yep, should clear the brakes and the tyre choice seems sensible. You may find you need to lower it a bit when they're on, but that's just personal choice.

Ian

Ah good to know there's different offsets. Sometimes that 7mm can make all the difference, ha. Will check to see what I have.

I think I know what you mean by manhole cover style, and yes you're right on with that assumption.

Once I get the tyres on I'll see what they look like on the car - it may be that leads to a bit of lowering - feels like an expensive rabbit hole already!


Cheers for your advice

 

You could always try a scrap tyre, just to check the size. Might cost you a tenner but saves buying 4 and then realising that you want something different.

You may be able to up the size on the back, should you so wish to fill the arches a bit more………

Ian

I've 13" wheels on my Mk1 Scirocco and 14" on my Mk1 Golf.

The 2 wheels have the same rolling diameter once the tyres are fitted so the 13" wheels and tyres will fill the arches the same as the 14" but they will be thinner tyres and wheels.

13" alloys are 175/70/13
14" alloys are 185/60/14

I can fit the 13" wheels on my Mk1 Golf Gti and they just clear the brake calipers but it is tight, watch out for any stick on weights on the inside of the alloy.



 

borednow said

 I ran ET38 on the back and ET45 on the front.

Any reason you ran the 38s on the rear? It looks like I have a full set of 45s

mark1gls said

I can fit the 13" wheels on my Mk1 Golf Gti and they just clear the brake calipers but it is tight, watch out for any stick on weights on the inside of the alloy.

Reminds me of my mini - running 10" wheels and one time after getting tyres fitted/balanced, the weights just caught the calipers - I could hear a weird 'ringing' sound when I span the wheels - had to go back and get them relocated. Actually I blame the 10" on my mini for the love of small wheels  

It was only the fact that when I bought them i could find 2 with 45 and 2 with 38.

With the 38 offset the wheels stick out 7mm further so it made sense to put them on the back as I always like to run with a wider rear track and a narrower front.

Weird I know!  

Ian

saladman said

Reminds me of my mini - running 10" wheels and one time after getting tyres fitted/balanced, the weights just caught the calipers - I could hear a weird 'ringing' sound when I span the wheels - had to go back and get them relocated. Actually I blame the 10" on my mini for the love of small wheels  

My 1976 Mini with 10" wheels had drums all round and no servo (pump the brakes to bring up the pedal before stopping) , you had a posh mini with calipers and discs.