ROTA RB - New Photos

[Alvin]

Front ride height is perfect w/ the Mike Young comp springs. Back is still a bit high w/ the mono-leafs. They come w/ a 1" lowering block that makes the spring/block combo the exact same thickness as the stock spring "stackup." I am investigating using a 2" block instead - but that means I need to get longer U-bolts, etc.

Cheers
James

got any pictures showing the new stance?

[jamesw]

Alvin,

My car is at the body shop now for it's refresh - I have "visitation rights" though so I'll try to snap some pix. I totally forgot to do it before I dropped her off.

Greg: yeah, good idea. I'll probably have the spring shop do it as I'm sure they have the lowering blocks too.

Cheers
James

[gboone]

Front ride height is perfect w/ the Mike Young comp springs. Back is still a bit high w/ the mono-leafs. They come w/ a 1" lowering block that makes the spring/block combo the exact same thickness as the stock spring "stackup." I am investigating using a 2" block instead - but that means I need to get longer U-bolts, etc.

Cheers
James

James, I've already been through all this with the very monoleaf springs you have and explained my problems on the leaf spring post. Despite what all the "experts say" when you install 2" blocks like I did, your shock mounting plate drops relative to the frame by the same amount. My shocks wouldn't reach their mounting plates afterwards and since my Panhard rod was attached to my shock mounting plate, it was way off level too. So now I have longer U-bolts, 2" spacers, and shock extenders, all for nothing.

[Gregs672000]

[/quote]
James, I've already been through all this with the very monoleaf springs you have and explained my problems on the leaf spring post. Despite what all the "experts say" when you install 2" blocks like I did, your shock mounting plate drops relative to the frame by the same amount. My shocks wouldn't reach their mounting plates afterwards and since my Panhard rod was attached to my shock mounting plate, it was way off level too. So now I have longer U-bolts, 2" spacers, and shock extenders, all for nothing.[/quote]

Gary, I kinda wonder if that is a function more of the extended length of Koni shocks vs KYB gas adjusts or GR-2s? I believe I have at least 1.5 inch blocks (on composit mono-leafs) but don't have any problems with the shocks reaching the mount, and as I recall I had a lot of travel left in the shock that would accomodate a much bigger block. I suggest that James unhook one of his and measure the extended length before he buys all the stuff (and if it works it looks like you have a potential customer for them!)

[jamesw]

Yes, I remember that Gary. I think my GR2's will reach (from personal experience trying to push the plates up to get the u-bolts made up). Please drop me a line concerning the blocks and u-bolts.

Cheers
James

[Alvin]

how bad is the rake now?
Is it as severe as pictured above?

[aclever1]

i'm curious on your progress. I'm in the market for new wheels and i'm having a hard time finding a wheel with the fitment i want. How close are you from rubbing on the rear leaf springs? I'm looking to get a set of Rota RB's 16x7 +25 fronts and 16x8 +10 or +4 rears. I currently have some Midland Metallices of England wheels in a 14x5.5 with un known offset so it's hard to guage what offset i'll need with wider wheels. I want a real snug fit and i plan to roll the fenders and maybe a slight pull on the rear to squeeze 8's under there but i need to make sure they aren't too close the the leaf springs. Also do you think i can get 8's on in the front with a +20 off set? Doing 16x8's makes the tire selections a lot better.

and sorry for the thread jack but you've got close to the set up i want. Thanks

[jamesw]

I am running 15x7 +12 offset wheels in the back and the tires JUST rub the inner side - like to the point you could see it in the dirt but it hadn't rubbed the metal. I think I posted what tires I'm running above somewhere... I doubt 16x8 +10's would work in the rear.

In the front, the problem was out the outer side of the tire. 15x7+12's will barely work - even with rolled fenders. If you go w/ a higher offset in front that may help but I don't know - it may rub something on the inside instead...

I posted a photo of the rears from underneath in the mono-leaf spring thread so you can see spring clearance.

HTH
James

[fj20spl311]

i'm curious on your progress. I'm in the market for new wheels and i'm having a hard time finding a wheel with the fitment i want. How close are you from rubbing on the rear leaf springs? I'm looking to get a set of Rota RB's 16x7 +25 fronts and 16x8 +10 or +4 rears. I currently have some Midland Metallices of England wheels in a 14x5.5 with un known offset so it's hard to guage what offset i'll need with wider wheels. I want a real snug fit and i plan to roll the fenders and maybe a slight pull on the rear to squeeze 8's under there but i need to make sure they aren't too close the the leaf springs. Also do you think i can get 8's on in the front with a +20 off set? Doing 16x8's makes the tire selections a lot better.

and sorry for the thread jack but you've got close to the set up i want. Thanks

The fit will be close on the front, might clear with 195 50s I have 195 x 50 on the front with 15 x 7 +12, might need a spacer

Also do you think i can get 8's on in the front with a +20 off set? I don't think so I think 7 is the limit on the "stock" front.


The calculator spits out for 16x8 +10 as compared to 15 x 7 +12 (I have on them on the back and 205 x 50 fits almost at stock height).

11mm farther in
15 mm farther oput

The inside might clear depending on the tire.
You are going to be in for flairing / rolling on the fender side.

[blazn]

oh from that angle the fitment doesn't look too bad at all! is it me or is the trim have a red insert?
imho those enkei's really fit the period look/feel of your car with the off white body/red interior. It just looks "right". I think the Rbs are better suited for the "modified" car look: see "zippy67roadster's" car with no side trim, miata seats, and a very bright metallic color.
but then again anything looks better when lowered




or maybe a gun metal spoke?

What size are these?

[zippy67roadster]

S

oh from that angle the fitment doesn't look too bad at all! is it me or is the trim have a red insert?
imho those enkei's really fit the period look/feel of your car with the off white body/red interior. It just looks "right". I think the Rbs are better suited for the "modified" car look: see "zippy67roadster's" car with no side trim, miata seats, and a very bright metallic color.
but then again anything looks better when lowered




or maybe a gun metal spoke?

What size are these?

PM sent

[Dcyco1]

What is the rim and tire size?

[jamesw]

I ordered the 15x7 +12 offset wheels based on the recommendations here. Tires are Yoko S-Drives in 195/55 R15's

I did have to do a bit of grinding on the front wheels to get them over the hubs and flush mounted. I really only had to take off about a millimeter of material on the back inside lip of the center bore - took about a half hour to do both. I LOVE the way these wheels look on my car!

[Dcyco1]

Those really look lie 16's