Any Experience With:

[sawmkw]

The Team Dynamics Pro Race 1 wheels on an 80s Spider? All the vendors are now carrying them although you have to go to a 15x7" size. Just wondering if anyone has taken the plunge and what they thought.

http://www.teamdynamicsracing.com/pro-r ... silver.htm

[danaspider]

I have had them on the spider for 2 years or so. I like them. I put Kumho 205/50 tires on them. Therefore I am a little larger than the original 13's. You could go with a lower profile, but your ride will really suffer. So I have lost a little (very little) in acceleration because of the slightly larger diameter, but do have a slight reduction in RPM at cruise. I like the looks of the wheels. I had one slight problem on the front. The iner diameter of the opening drags on the wheel hub. So I enlarged the opening very slightly. This is only a problem on the fronts, since there is no center hub on the rears.

I like the looks. The wide tire will cause you a bit of wandering over lines in the highway. So you have to be pay a little attention at high speed. I love the handling. The tires are outstanding and are not so soft that they wear quickly. The only other issue you will find is that when you turn the wheel you will drag slightly on the inner liner of the fender. A few trims of the liner will help in that area. I would not go bigger than the the 205! Some folks have removed the liner but I like being able to keep things a little cleaner inside the wells.

I would be sure that the tie rods are in excellent shape and the ball joints are all checked, since you are loading the front end more than with the smaller wheels and tires. I added the shortened springs, actually the springs prior to the '79 bumper height regulations, so that is where a little of the liner rub comes from.

The only other interesting thing I encountered was finding someone who could do the alignment on the car. With the shape of the rim and the lower profile tires, there is not much of an edge to hang the alignment tool onto. Goodyear was unable to pull it off. But I found a local shop who was used to custom wheels and they had no problem.

Would I do it again, yes!!

Hope that helps. By the way mine is a 1979

[spiderrey]

how about some pics of the wheels on your car?

[sawmkw]

Thanks Dana. I really wanted to keep the stock 14" size but do like the look of the Pro Race 1 wheels. My entire suspension is new, including the lowered springs so I'm good there but I am concerned about having to alter the inner opening. Of course I'm not wild about the rubbing either but such is life. Did you use the 23mm offset? Also would love to see a picture or two!

[danaspider]

Sorry for the delay. Here are some pics of my spider and the wheels. The bus in one of the pics is my other project.

Enjoy the pics, hope it helps in your decision.

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... CF0280.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... el0006.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... el0005.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... el0001.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... 140008.jpg

Let us know what you do on the project.

[ga.spyder]

I also have the Team Dynamics 15 x 7 wheels w/ 205-50x15 Kumho Ecsta tires. I love the wheels and have constant positive comments on them.The wider tires require a little extra arm strength at low speeds ,but are a definite asset during aggressive driving! A couple pics ,even though I still have trouble with photobucket. Danaspider ,I love those wheels.I saw a car at FFO w/ that style but never did track down the owner. I have had no issues ,except a very slight rub on the fender liner at extreme lock,although mine are a different model so it may have a slightly different offset.
Craig

[pope]

Craig,
I think you have this pic sizing thing down pat.

Great pics