LynnB

If the wheel openings and fenders could be opened up and flared properly on a high-horsepower V8M to allow some truly FAT wheel/tire combinations, at what point would the tiny-appearing hubs and spindles be too small to deal with the acceleration/cornering/braking forces that such a vehicle could generate?

In other words, I like everything I see about V8Ms except the rather puny-looking wheels and tires they typically wear. Admittedly I arrived here after departing the F5R camp, and everything they produce will fit some pretty large rubber. I've wondered for quite a while why very few V8Ms are wearing similar footwear. Redoing fenders for fat tires isn't impossible or even particularly difficult, for the most part, so I'm curious about what's preventing the owners/builders of V8Ms from doing so more often. I'd think that such would be a natural part of building such a car.

Am I missing something here?


Thanks very much,

Lynn B.

tbone heller

Fat tire = extra unsprung weight. Most people enjoy the Miata for it's great handling. Adding an extra 200-300hp makes it even more fun. As for myself, I would love to have wider tires under the rear of my car. Currently I am running P245/45zr16's on the rear. Mine seems to still handle well and has fairly good traction.

cvx_20

I wondered the same thing when I built mine, and elected to go with the Tbird uprights at the rear in anticipation of flaring the fenders and going for the biggest tires I could fit. So far it hasn't been necessary, I don't have a traction problem with 245/45/16 street tires. But I am planning a 347 install, the short block assy is in the machine shop even now. So we'll see.

There have been a couple of rear hub failures amongst the racing crowd, so you can assume they are reaching the limits of that particular item. The problem has been addressed by V8R in that they make a new and improved replacement hub machined from solid. My rear suspension uses the same Cobra hubs and axles as the F5R Cobras, I doubt I will ever see a failure.

Mike

LynnB

Thanks very much. This is exactly the information I was looking for.

Rock on...

Lynn B.