Ride height

[bryannewell]

Having justcompleted rebuild of Marina based LWB RoadsterIfind there is not enough ground clearance to sump(2ltr Pinto)(Hence myh plea for a new sump in miscellaneous if anyone can help!!)
Idont want to raise engine at this time as it only just fits under bonnet now
Would removing lowering blocks at back and winding up the adjusters on the torsion bars be worthwhile and or changing to 14" wheels
(now 13")
Any other worthwhile options please?
Regards
Bryan

[dogoncrazy]

Re: Ride height

How much clearance have you got? It wasn't a problem with my son's pinto engined version. Alloy RS 2000 is I believe shallower but you need the appropriate oil pick up pipe and don't forget the dipstick. Alloy one on e bay but are getting expensive now.

[CABRIOBOB]

Re: Ride height

Bryan, You can shorten the sump or fit one from a Capri with OHC engine as they are about 1" shorter then a Sierra OHC engine.

[CABRIOBOB]

Re: Ride height

Also adjusting the torsion bars will help but you might have to reset the tracking, also fitting 15" wheels will help. Is you current sump level or below the gearbox bell housing ? as A capri sump is just above/level the bell housing.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Ride height

Surely changing to 14" wheels will have no change in ride height, it's the tyre profile and hence rolling diameter that will change the ride height.
If larger rolling diameter tyres are fitted all round this will also change the accuracy of your speedo.

[pearwood]

Re: Ride height

go to the robinhoods web site click on links around the net the north west area. theres a great item all about shorting pinto sumps and pick up pipe i did mine you get about 3" extra groung clearance.
bob

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Ride height

Fitting 15" wheels with 65 - or even higher - profile tyres should increase clearance, raise gearing for more relaxed cruising, improve comfort significantly, have little negative effect on road holding, and will improve looks.

Provided they fit...

[Sidon]

Re: Ride height

Sorry to hijack this thread. I'm interested in larger wheels / tyres in an effort to increase the gearing of my Roadster, with looks and ride height secondary considerations. Its Marina 1.8TC based, currently fitted with 185/70/R13 tyres. What wheel and tyre sizes would anyone recommend and what wheels do you consider suit the Roadster best? Thanks.

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Ride height

I use 15" wheels with 195-55-15 tires and this will improve handling, also if you go to a larger profile will lift the car without any problems.

[lil_red_roadster]

Re: Ride height

couple of useful sites with wheel/tyre comparison tolls.
http://www.mintylamb.co.uk/?page=auto.htm
Minty has a few other goodies...SU needle comparisons & other stuff.
The other good site is
http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html
loads of useful info there.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Ride height

It's perhaps worth discusing performance, suspension and tyre size/profile.
IMHO a Roadster is much lighter than an original Marina. As a result a Roaster will feel a lot stiffer as the stock spring rates are designed for a heavier car. I for one use low tyre pressures which allows my relatively high profile tyres to contribute to the spring effect. Low profile tyres on larger rims will not offer the same compliance, though when cornering will give a much better feel.
Its rather a question of what you are trying to achieve a generally smoother ride or sharper steering response.

Though larger rolling diameter tyres will improve top speed this will be countered by a general loss of acceleration. The only logical route for higher top speed whilst maintaining reasonable fuel consumption is to go for an overdrive gearbox.

[bryannewell]

Re: Ride height

Thanks for all your response
I have about 3" ground clearance unladen!
First time out 2up on country roads I wore a hole in sump!
(now welded but I may have to leave my better half at home untill i sort a perm solution!!!
I am looking out for Capri sump as that should gain 1" up to bottom of bellhousing.
I may be able to get a small amount more if I raise engine mounts.
I use 13" wheels with 65 profile so maybe 15" with same profile is the way to go(inaccuracy of speedo noted Steve)
What wheels would be good for Marina base as per simons Q?
Many thanks
Bryan

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Ride height

Like I said earlier I use 15" wheels on my Roadster and this improves handling, improves ride quality, raises height. I drive lots of Roadsters on all types of wheels but would never ever put my own car back on 13" rims.
As for wheel suppliers try Midland wheels supplies I think they will be at Stoneleigh

[Sidon]

Re: Ride height

Lee - your Roadster looks beautiful and the Minilite wheels really suit it in my opinion. It makes my Marlin and my efforts to 'do it up' look rather sad. Steve - I appreciate your comments but I (and I think Bryan) was wondering whether we could increase the wheel diameter whilst retaining reasonably high profile tyres for the reasons Lee highlights and, in Bryan's case, to stop his bottom rubbing! My car is too low geared so making it slightly higher geared would help cruising without compromising acceleration. I would really love an overdrive but I'm not experienced enough to fit one and don't know anybody who would. I need new tyres so now would seem to be a good time to go the extra yard (or £250) and get 15" wheels.

By my reckoning, a 13" rim with a 70 profile tyre (my current set up) has a radius of 235mm whereas a 15" rim with 65 profile tyres has a radius of 255mm. An increase of 8.5% rolling circumference. Would that result in 8.5% higher gearing or is my calculation too simplistic? I realise that the speedo accuracy would be compromised but, to be honest, it's not that accurate anyway.

[lil_red_roadster]

Re: Ride height

Simon - use the gear-speed calculator on the MintyLamb link I posted above...it'll tell you exactly what the differences will be...the wheel/tyre one will also show exactly the differences between different combos...