GT40R rebuild - Wheel Sizes

[CyberMatix]

Over a decade ago I built a GT40 replica.

I've made many screwups in this first build, that I now want to fix with a major rebuild. Well dependent on my copious amount of free spare time and the oodles of cash that is slushing around in my bank account.:rollsmile:

I want to start with the bodywork. The look I'm going for is the 2007/10 Matech Ford GT GT1 racer.

This look is very dependent on getting the wheel sizes just right - want to contour the car around the wheels. I've been taking some measurements off the photo/s And I can't figure out out exactly what this car is running. It looks like BBS 18" racing rims, but then the Outside Diameter comes out quite funny, like 23/4" front and 24/5" at the rear. Surely that can't be right. Even my Z has OD of 26".

So I would some opinions please. What do you guys think the rim tire combinations are on this car.

Thanks

EDIT: Fixed Pics.

 

[Jakkals_F30]

:fI will be watching this build for sure... one of two fords i like..

GT40 and Mustang well more specific the cobra and shelby mustangs but love gt40's...

next load of pics please.... :fencelook:

 

[moranor@axis]

cant see the second pic

 

[herr bmw]

are you trying to get the new gt ford wheel specs?

if so try and get hold of the owner of lazarus ford in centurion.

colin lazarus.

he has one and has le ford use it at one of the jims shows as well as the mph 08 show with top gear

 

[CyberMatix]

cant see the second pic

Sorry, I fixed the pics.:=):

 

[moranor@axis]

there we go... wow the gt40 race car looks amazing

but its the new one... im not sure the old one can be made to look like that...

you should get some pics of other gt40s with 18" that you know the tire size of so you can use them as comparison

 

[CyberMatix]

are you trying to get the new gt ford wheel specs?

if so try and get hold of the owner of lazarus ford in centurion.

colin lazarus.

he has one and has le ford use it at one of the jims shows as well as the mph 08 show with top gear

No, I've got the standard Ford GT specs - Thanks:=):

The Matech GT1 is based on the GT, but has major mods, with different models running from about 2007 to 2010. Some for GT1, others for Le Mans, and even GT3. They all look cool, and they all are different, but this one (with the pics above) is the one I like.

Anyway, who wants a standard common or garden Ford GT - boring.:rollsmile:

 

[Psymon69]

surely all the GT1 cars must have the same tire sizes? cant be that hard to get can it? is it the FIA GT1 cars?

 

[CyberMatix]

there we go... wow the gt40 race car looks amazing

1) but its the new one... im not sure the old one can be made to look like that...

2) you should get some pics of other gt40s with 18" that you know the tire size of so you can use them as comparison

1) Probably not 100%, but the two versions aint all that different. I have some 3DS Max models of both - think I can get the general look. It's amazing what you can do with an angle grinder and a bit of body putty (Cenolite actually).:rollsmile:

Peter Bayley did something similar but I don't like it all that much.
http://www.baileycars.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=71

2) I've been doing that, but no definite answer. The GT40 guys want to kill you if you don't stay 100% authentic. The Ford GT guys think you are so far below their level of existence that I cant get an answer from them. The guy that ran Matech died last year, and it seems the company doesn't run any-more.

The one option I came up with is Mickey Thompon 345-18-35 rears and 305-18-35 fronts, but their OD are a bit large (27" and 26").

 

[moranor@axis]

how about working the other way and seeing what diam tire fits the arch well then find a rim size that will give you the effect you want?

 

[CyberMatix]

surely all the GT1 cars must have the same tire sizes? cant be that hard to get can it? is it the FIA GT1 cars?

Good point - I didn't think of that :ty:

I'm such an idiot. I'l go look now.:=):

---

how about working the other way and seeing what diam tire fits the arch well then find a rim size that will give you the effect you want?

Sorry, my brain is wired differently. I can't do anything the "standard" or "normal" way. Anyway the current arches are k@k, so I intend modding them anyway.

The whole rear end will have to be modded because the way it is now the T55 Gas Turbine engine won't fit.:rollsmile:

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Was wondering what happened to this car! Always saw it in the sig with no word on it!

I am subscribed!! :thumbs:
Hope you well bud.

 

[CyberMatix]

:fI will be watching this build for sure... one of two fords i like..

GT40 and Mustang well more specific the cobra and shelby mustangs but love gt40's...

next load of pics please.... :fencelook:

Yup my sentiments exactly. I also liked the old AC Cobra.

Be aware that this will be a Slow Reveal - Sorry Slow Build. Iv'e got Rolls Royce ideas but VW Beetle Money.:=):

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Always wanted to build an AC Cobra, big block 7.0l and a big ass twin scroll supercharger with the hat sticking out the hood.
Hell, would love to do that on any American Muscle.
Maybe a GTO, or Challenger if I could find one...:inlove:

Ahem, yes budgets Cyber, budgets *cough cough* :fencelook:

 

[CyberMatix]

surely all the GT1 cars must have the same tire sizes? cant be that hard to get can it? is it the FIA GT1 cars?

Had a quick look. Seems that the wheel sizes are not standard for FIA GT1/3. Most run 18" BBS rims (different widths) but some (e.g. Maserati) Run 19". Tyre sizes also vary, but it seems that some of the rears are close to 345-18-35. Fronts vary from 255 to over 300. Different tyre manufacturers. of course race tyres. I'm looking for street tyres because I want to (eventually) be able to drive the car to the local cafe to buy smokes.

Oh well, no-one said it would be easy.

 

[moranor@axis]

'The whole rear end will have to be modded because the way it is now the T55 Gas Turbine engine won't fit.'

this is why they budget problem :rollsmile:

 

[CyberMatix]

Always wanted to build an AC Cobra, big block 7.0l and a big ass twin scroll supercharger with the hat sticking out the hood.
Hell, would love to do that on any American Muscle.
Maybe a GTO, or Challenger if I could find one...:inlove:

Ahem, yes budgets Cyber, budgets *cough cough* :fencelook:

Always had a soft spot for American Muscle. I worked in the USA/Canada for a few years and I drove a Ford F150 SVT Lightning truck. 5.4 litre V8 with a big fat supercharger. Amazing and crazy vehicle.

Beware, even thinking about building an AC Cobra will give you cancer.:rollsmile:

 

[CyberMatix]

OK I've been doing some more research and I think I have solved the tyre size problem. The rears for this car (Matech GT1) are 26(ish)" OD and the fronts are 24(ish)" OD. The tyre specs that would work are:

Rear: 345-30/18.
Front: 305-25/18 OR 265-30/18

The next problem is to find tyres that are available in these sizes. It would be good if they would all be the same make and model type, but that seems to be a problem.

BF Goodridge makes the 345-30/18 (g-Force T/A Drag Radial) but nobody makes tyres even close to the front specs. Well I haven't found them as yet.

So this aspect needs a bit of further thinking. I know that there are many very clever dudes on this here forum. Come on guys help me out here - share your knowldge..

 

[moranor@axis]

im sure you can find those sizes in semis the price might not be pretty though :rollsmile:

 

[CyberMatix]

im sure you can find those sizes in semis the price might not be pretty though :rollsmile:

I can accept that 305-25/18 is a pretty weird tyre, but I thought that 265-30/18 would be quite common. Well I haven't searched the whole internet yet (need a bit more time), but no luck up to now.

Here is Summit Racing list of available sizes (semis and racing):

265/35-18
265/40-18
265/50-18
265/60-18
265/65-18
265/70-18

No 30 profile in sight.

OK I know that Summit Racing isn't 100% complete and accurate, but I've looked at (some) of the major tyre manufacturers sites, and still no cigar.

It seems I will have to relax my spec of 24(ish)" for the fronts and move it up to 25".

The world doesn't cater for rogue car builders.:rollsmile: