Mondial - 16" wheels

It's interesting that you find that great a differance. Don't blame the wheel size but do consider the differance in tires. I changed my TRX on my '83 Mondial QV to the 17" 348 wheels with Perilli Pzero. I had similar dissapointment util I got used to the new setup. Now it feels OK. Here is the tire test from August '05 where the Goodyear F1 came out on top overall.

Patience.

DAve

 

Do you mean 328 ABS Wheels or 328 non-ABS wheels?

 

I have an 81 Mondial, I purchased a set of 348 wheels, spacers, and longer wheel bolts. WHAT a difference, the 348 wheels made!!!!!!!. My Mondial handles so much better.

Charles

 

That was my first thought. 34lbs sounds a bit high, especially up front. Drop fronts to 32, see if that helps, otherwise, try 32 rear, 30 front and see if that improves things. Remember, as you drive, the tires heat up and pressures rise. Did you check the pressures hot after your run? Also, if you have a pyrometer, check the tire temps immediately after running, inner side, center and outer side of running surface. That will help to tell you if you are under or over inflated, or if your camber is off.

 

Agree with others. While i have zero experience with those tires, the Mich Pilot PS2 like to 'see' about 34 to max 35 PSI when HOT.

As for suspension, have done quite a bit of development work in that regard. If you have the dreaded front nose UP syndrome, see if you could corner weight the car to get an idea about weight distribution. The 308GTS QV here is at about 44% front and 56% rear.

Stock, the 308 here had horrible understeer during spirited driving. Have a feeling this is the way the factory dialed the car in If you do track driving feel free to use Fchat search function for various suspension mods including bushings, Nick Forza shocks, and various spring rates and uprated (adjustable) sway bars.

As for the snap oversteer, have experienced that on the track with the Generation II suspension and have pretty much solved that with Generation III suspension.

Guess it all comes down to how much development time/money you are willing to invest into the car.

 

I find it very interesting that when the fad is to go to big rims and everyone wants there car dressed out like a HIP HOP video bu-tee car. HA
Does anyone realize how much engineering goes into suspension, wheels, rims, and balance in designing these cars. The Mondial, 328, 308 no matter... keep it the way it was designed with 15 " rims and the TRX tires. You will rarely get this same performance by screwing around.
Take for example ...I have a Bentley Turbo R with 15 " rims and Avon tires. The Avon's were terrible and expensive. It took me 3 months to figure that Firestone PV-41 " cop " tires were cheap and the best heavy duty / high speed tires I could get. The Bentley drives perfect.
So I am in California and was able to drive a Bentley like mine with big rims and low profile tires. WOW did it feel different and unsafe. How can you put a low profile tire on a car that weight almost 6000 lbs. It will rip the tire right off of the rim.
HEY ..... stop playing automobile designers... it can get you in touble.

 

Yeah, changing from the original Mondial rims to 328 rims turned his Ferrari into a ricer.

No. No one here even considered that before now. Thank the gods you came along when you did! What other obscure bits of wisdom can you bless this forum with?

C.

 

I'm spending about the same amount by getting my classic certification rather than another set of rims for my 8.

 

I can only take so much after reading some of these threads.
It would be more like it if it were the Triumph or MG. chat.
I think that you have to start with a Triumph TR-3 and work your way up to a Ferrari.. stopping along the way with a few MG's , a Rover, a couple Alfa's.

GOOD LUCK to all. and learn the hard way...ha