Nova Wheels

[dannyboy1986]

The wheels on my 1.2L are so skinny, i was thinking about trying to get a set of standard Nova wheels from another model e.g SR or GTE, because i was thinking these would be wider and generally better wheels, what does everyone think?

I want to keep my car looking as standard as possible so i dont really fancy buying pretty alloys (plus insurance)

Cheers,

Danny

[dannyboy1986]

Sorry should i have put this in the styling section?

[craig green]

The 14" 3 spokes from a GTE or GSi sound like they will be what you are fater.

I put Cavalier 14" steels on my 1st 1.2 with 185/60/14 tyres. They looked very wide tbh & changed the look of the car so it looked aggressive & racey. It helped me knock 25mins off my B-road University commute so it just proves what wider wheels & tyres can do to a std spec Nova.

The 3 spoke alloys are 5" wide but the typical width of 14" Vauxhall alloys off say an Astra or Cav are 5.5" (same as the steels I used) so typically tyres will be narrower 175/65 on the 3 spoke rims.

From a styling point of view, the original 3 spokes look great & obviously fit behind the wheel arches easily.

[dannyboy1986]

Nice one, cheers for that. Il keep an eye out and see if i can get hold of any of the old 3 spokes. Gotta get some money first though, its hard being a student!!!

Danny

[dannyboy1986]

Plus, by putting Cavalier steelies on did you avoid insurance rises?

[gammienov16v]

get some 15 " cav gsi slabs:thumb: or 15" calibra or tigra weels from the scrapyard and put 195 45 15 tyres on, it will give you more corner speed, lol

don't tell insureance its only wheels lol

[Ash]

get some 15 " cav gsi slabs:thumb: or 15" calibra or tigra weels from the scrapyard and put 195 45 15 tyres on, it will give you more corner speed, lol

don't tell insureance its only wheels lol

that will look tractor-tastic if not lowered:thumb:

I've always wondered if a slightly higher profile would offer more grip, as theres more give in the sidewalls.

[gammienov16v]

[quote=nova_pilot]that will look tractor-tastic if not lowered:thumb:

I've always wondered if a slightly higher profile would offer more grip, as theres more give in the sidewalls.[/quote

yes but it will give you more unwonted overstear, with bigger side walls, because they are more springy:thumb:

[Welsh Dan]

I've got 3-spokes with 185/60R14 Eagle F1's on my nova, and I couldnt ask for more grip really.

[Jack]

You do realise you'll have to declare even standard alloy wheels on the insurance...

Theoretically you should declare it even if you fit larger steels.

[craig green]

Yes should be dclared. Any reason to avoid a payout & shift blame, the insurers will jump on.

In most cases I cant imagine some 14"s would hike up the premium much, if at all.

[dannyboy1986]

Yeah if i was to get alloy wheels i would declare them on the insurance, but just wider steels surely wouldnt apply...?

[Welsh Dan]

They would apply, as they are different to what was fitted as standard, and therefore are a modification.

[dannyboy1986]

Ah, well thats gay! my insurance doubles with any mention of non-standard wheels!! lol

[causerino]

Ah, well thats gay! my insurance doubles with any mention of non-standard wheels!! lol

Do they hike it up quite a bit then?

I was with norwich union for my first car, Renault laguna ( i know :cry: ) But with alloy wheels declared it didnt go up if i had locking wheel nuts.

Anybody used these tyres? Interstate IS Sport IXT* 195/50 R15 V

[Welsh Dan]

What size wheels are on there now?

[gammienov16v]

ok the so wen my nova van got hit in the side and my insureance came out to check, the damage why didn't they say anythink about, the cav rims i had on it, even though it was insured as a standard 1.2van.

oh and it had a 2.0l 8v in aswell

[dannyboy1986]

Iv jus got the standard wheels thats come with ('89) 1.2L, not sure the size - tiny though!!! its the width of them that bothers me, they are like bloody cycle wheels!!! lol

[Welsh Dan]

The tread width, profile and wheel size will be written on the sidewall of the tyre.

Mine are 185/60R14s, which means that the tread width is 185mm, the profile (sidewall) is 60% of that 185mm (111mm), and the wheels are 14".

[causerino]

Iv jus got the standard wheels thats come with ('89) 1.2L, not sure the size - tiny though!!! its the width of them that bothers me, they are like bloody cycle wheels!!! lol

Ive got exactly the same model and year, and I know what you mean, a proper mountain bike would match my wheel width!

Even in the slightest rain turning a corner at low speed i get scared!

Ive got some nice Vectra 5 spoke wheels to go on soon!!

[Dar]

ok the so wen my nova van got hit in the side and my insureance came out to check, the damage why didn't they say anythink about, the cav rims i had on it, even though it was insured as a standard 1.2van.

oh and it had a 2.0l 8v in aswell
Because you were ****ing lucky. Boasting about having no insurance is not big or clever. You may not be so lucky next time. Get your insurance sorted, if you can't afford to insure a car legally then don't drive it.

On topic, a friend of mine told me that if you buy a car with alloy wheels then you don't have to declare them. However if you put some on then you do. I think Ade works in insurance so he would be the best person to verify or deny this. We have an insurace forum so a post in there would be a good idea. My premium went up by ?10 when I put aftermarket wheels on one of my cars, so I can't see it being a problem.

[dannyboy1986]

What size wheels are on there now?

Think they are 145/80 R13

[gammienov16v]

i only had my van insured as a 1.2 for 3months and my bonet poped by old bill, they didnt realise the engine diffeance after all the 2.0l 8v dosn't look that much differnt to a 1.2, were as a redtop dose.
thats wen i changed it ot a 2.0l and it cost ?2134.:(

yes your wright to insure your car properly, its safer.:thumb:

oh and i wasn't boasting i was sating a fact thankslol

id still go for the 195 45 15" or 195 45 16"

[gammienov16v]

Because you were ****ing lucky. Boasting about having no insurance is not big or clever. You may not be so lucky next time. Get your insurance sorted, if you can't afford to insure a car legally then don't drive it.

On topic, a friend of mine told me that if you buy a car with alloy wheels then you don't have to declare them. However if you put some on then you do. I think Ade works in insurance so he would be the best person to verify or deny this. We have an insurace forum so a post in there would be a good idea. My premium went up by ?10 when I put aftermarket wheels on one of my cars, so I can't see it being a problem.
i only had my van insured as a 1.2 for 3months and my bonet poped by old bill, they didnt realise the engine diffeance after all the 2.0l 8v dosn't look that much differnt to a 1.2, were as a redtop dose.
thats wen i changed it ot a 2.0l and it cost ?2134.:(

yes your wright to insure your car properly, its safer.:thumb:

oh and i wasn't boasting i was sating a fact thankslol

id still go for the 195 45 15" or 195 45 16"