Hi i went to an Auction the other day and there was a 308 QV https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/ferrari/308/gti-qv.html there with 16" wheels on it fitting 205/55R16 on the front and 225/50R16 on the rear so i took some pictures. do people who fit these tyres adjust other things in the car to make them fit right? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
those 16" are the superformance replicas they fit without any modifications except some cars need center rings on the front hub tyres have the usual size, you can also fit 225 front and 245 rear
Although the car you photographed appears to have aftermarket reproductions, 16" wheels were available as a factory option on that car (a 1983 QV). There are no fitment issues and it is unclear (and unlikely) if Ferrari changed spring rates for 16" equiped cars. It was the first, and only, factory 308 configuration with staggered wheel widths. Thoses size tires were also used by Porsche on their 911 series cars of the era so are much more readily available than TRX or 14" tires.
Many (most?) of the later 308QV sit a bit high -- especially at the front. My guess would be that the spring vendor just made most of the springs to the "long" side of the spec (or a little too long and F just used them anyway). Going to an aftermarket ride-height-adjustable shock set, having the stock shocks modified to be ride-height-adjustable, and using different lower spring perches on the stock shock have all been used to lower the coachwork and reduce the gap between the tire ODs and the wheel arches.
When I put the 16s on my '77, we changed out the spring preaches in the front. The car now looks incredible and no longer looks like a 4 x 4.
I did the same thing, I was able to get a 1” lowered spring perch for the front and the stance of my car looks correct now.
But that all sounds wrong to me, modifying a car to overcome a modification? I just think they look a bugger with a gaping wide gap around the tyre. and then lowering the car, is not good. However these tyres should have the same diameter as the TRX. I dunno it just looked wrong
Lowering a car is good specially if you get a stock US 308 AND, as long as you check and correct all the geometry ( alignment )
With your front spoiler, Mike, I'd have cardiac arrest every time I drove over anything higher than a cigarette butt!
LOL! It’s not that bad just angle the car as you go in and out of the driveway and over speed bumps. Plus I have a scrape plate material under the spoiler anyway.
I scraped my newly repaired euro spoiler the day after I put it back on - the mechanic had just installed the adjustable suspension and it was too low. I've since raised it twice and stiffened the front shocks (350lb front springs) to good effect. Still lower than standard - I hate the dead cat space of the standard ride height. I'd love to put a skid plate under it, but it really needs a custom shaped HDPE plate under the edge. What have you installed?
Mine is a little different because I have the Koenig Special valance which from the leading edge it goes back about 4” flat all the way across from one side to the other, unlike the regular Euro spoiler, it’s only like 1” from the leading edge .
Haven’t you seen a stock US version 308 specially the earlier carbs with the 14” wheels? First of all the gap between the tires and the fender is too big, second is it makes the car handle a lot better, and third it looks better.
Oo, the handle better thing i would wonder about. I don't have a 308, so i will have to bow to your better judgement, but i would suspect that if you stiffened the springs and added some adverse camber, lowering it might make it better for the track. though you may need make some other changes as well. But i wouldn't think it would better on the road. I would suspect that it might make it a bit of a pain in the arse on the road. Personally if i did have a 308, (which i would dearly love, though it is a bit modern for me really) i would want one on 14" wheels, because old cars are so much more fun to drive on thinner tyres. thin tyres to keep the handling nice and progressive. I would want the clearance underneath, because the idiots near me who think they know how to look after our roads love speed bumps (the fekking idiots!) I would also enjoy the fact that the taller side wall would absorb these bumps and the badly looked after roads. That absorption of bumps and vibrations would stop the rest of the car falling apart, and help me keep my teeth in. That is personal taste. And to contradict myself; i have a little vintage racing car, that is set up predominantly for track use, so it is lower than a snakes ass and a complete pain in the arse on speed bumps aand the road in general. It is stiff as a board so I'm knocking my back teeth out, and as i drive along bits are falling off left right and center. But i love it to bits and i thrash it round on the road far more than i should, bec ause it is so exciting driving such an extreme machine. so i do get it. (i should really save it just for the track. It is out at the Goodwood members meeting next weekend if i don't knacker it in testing)
308 performs very well with every tyres you put on it: 14", TRX, 16". With the 16 is a bit more aggressive (just as shape), with the others a bit more classic. With 16" you can choose a race tyre or even a snow tyre at low price or the brand you want, with the others is a $$$ pain and not much alternatives (zero with the TRX)... I don't want to lower the car, as it's already even too low with the 16" (in the mid of the wheelbase): in my opinion it looks good with the stock springs Image Unavailable, Please Login
. 16" poly bushings thicker rear stabilizer adjustable suspension no rubber rubbing Image Unavailable, Please Login
oo - it does look cool lowered doesn't it. I get that bit. I would still want the 14" wheels though https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/ferrari/308.html I think they look fantastic I would give my left knacker for a 308
So, I'm getting ready to buy a set of the repo 16" rims from Mr. Fiat for my 1979 308. My 14's are chipped up and the tires are old. I need an upgrade and my wife likes the look of the stock 16's better than putting 360 wheels on it (which a friend of mine did to his car). I'm looking for a good tire to put on the 16" rims. Any recommendations? There is a Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 that is offered in 205/55R16 and 225/50R16. I was also considering a Toyo Proxes RA1. That's a tire I've used on track day cars before. Not sure it's a good all around street tire or not.
Pretty sure there's a more recent thread about 308 tires but how about Toyo T1R if they are available in your market