Amazon: Wheels, tyres and suspension heights

[Derek Russell]

I have an Amazon and I'm looking for the following advice. If I lower the suspension by 60mm does this affect the ride and what is the maximum wheel and tyre size (diameter and width) I can fit. Has anyone fitted a 17 inch wheel/tyre? Has anyone fitted Torq Thrust wheels? I noticed some interesting wheels on Amazon cars from page 36 of the December club magazine - a blue 4 door, red 2 door and grey 2 door - anyone know what wheels were fitted? Finally, does anyone know the wheel/tyre size and ride height of the white Amazon shown on the cover of the April club magazine?

[old fart]

Join the Volvo Amazon facebook group, you'll get plenty of advice on there, including from the red and grey cars you mention.

[Derek Russell]

Thanks, sorry only now got around to see if anyone responded.

Unfortunately I don't have a Facebook account and don't want one either. Is there no one I can contact to ask what I thought was a reasonably straight forward question?

Sorry to sound a bit cranky!

Cheers, Derek

[Burdekin]

I have 205x50x17 with 0 offset Torque Thrust IIs on my Amazon. Pic of mine attached, obviously not lowered 60mm though.

[amazon69]

That's a lot of questions. You can answer a lot of them through searching this and other forums, but I can give some experience.

Lowering the car in and of itself will not affect ride other than the potential for hitting bump stops more often etc. You could chop the springs for example. Doing it correctly means you will need to fit lowering springs, which tend to be stiffer, and probably replace shocks too, so that definitely does affect ride. A lot. I am sure you could find a way to fit 21" rims and super skinny tyres if you wanted. Imho it would look ridiculous, but you probably could. Many people fit 17" wheels, typically 7" wide. I've seen 19". You could go as wide as you want, or as wide as the wheel bearings and your taste/the law/your ability to turn the steering wheel from stationary allow. Many fit torq thrusts, do a google image search. All your latter questions I cannot answer, but provide some pics and we will.

[classicswede]

The lower you go the harder the ride will be as the suspension travel is reduced. 40mm is a great amount to lower as the suspension is firmer but only enough to stop the car feeling so wollowy as they originally are. 60mm is getting a little harder as you have to start thinking about the bigger speed bumps.

Wheels wise there are lots of amazons on 17 and 18 inch wheels. If you are concerned about ride comfort bear in mind going to bigger wheels is going to mean lower profile tyres that will give a harder ride.

If you post up some pics of the cars you want to know about I will almost certainly know the cars and the details of them

[Derek Russell]

Many thanks for your responses - very helpful. I think I'm heading down the route of 17 x 7 wheels with 205 x 50 x 17 tyres and maybe a 40mm reduction in ride height. Probably buy the wheels first.

Big decision is which wheels. American Racing Torque Thrust II VN 515 or Torque Thrust VN 109. Are the vanes on a Thrust II slightly curved in section and the original Thrust wheels straight. Any chance of some more photos of your Trust II wheels? Also where did you buy them?

Other Amazons with interesting wheels I've seen in the Driver magazine are Ahmet Hussein's NNA 18H, a red ORK 3F and a blue OLF 946E. Anyone know what wheel/tyre combinations these have?

Really appreciate your help. Cheers, Derek

[Burdekin]

Originally Posted by Derek Russell

Many thanks for your responses - very helpful. I think I'm heading down the route of 17 x 7 wheels with 205 x 50 x 17 tyres and maybe a 40mm reduction in ride height. Probably buy the wheels first.

Big decision is which wheels. American Racing Torque Thrust II VN 515 or Torque Thrust VN 109. Are the vanes on a Thrust II slightly curved in section and the original Thrust wheels straight. Any chance of some more photos of your Trust II wheels? Also where did you buy them?

Other Amazons with interesting wheels I've seen in the Driver magazine are Ahmet Hussein's NNA 18H, a red ORK 3F and a blue OLF 946E. Anyone know what wheel/tyre combinations these have?

Really appreciate your help. Cheers, Derek

I don’t understand your question regarding vanes, I can however get a couple of pics. Got them from here: https://www.northhantstyres.com/amer...ng-wheels.html

[Derek Russell]

Hi Khe

Brain fell out yesterday - what I meant was the 5 spokes. From the side are the spokes curved or flat at the front. Sorry not sure I'm describing very well what I'm trying to find out! Any photos would be great.

Cheers, Derek

[Burdekin]

Originally Posted by Derek Russell

Hi Khe

Brain fell out yesterday - what I meant was the 5 spokes. From the side are the spokes curved or flat at the front. Sorry not sure I'm describing very well what I'm trying to find out! Any photos would be great.

Cheers, Derek

I’ll get some pics this week for you.