STANCE SC-7 19X8.5 SATIN BLACK WHEELS

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

Hi guys!

My baby is a 2004 facelift 156 2.0L JTS which is currently sitting on 30mm drop King springs and rolling on 215/45/17.



But in the next few weeks I will be replacing the Kings for 40mm drop Novitec springs:
http://shop.alfisti.net/product_info.php?language=en&products_id=1130&products_id=1130

...buying and installing PI Shortening Sports Shock Absorbers:
http://p-i.co.uk/alfa-romeo_c33935_33936_8404_34900.htm

And will be doing some R&D regarding camber correction kits either with Trutrack or Centreline Suspension.

So my question to my fellow 156ers:
I'm seriously considering buying a set of Stance SC-7 19x8.5 Satin Black Wheels:
http://www.ozzytyres.com.au/store/wheel-tyre-packages/stance-sc-7-19x8-5-5x98-satin-black-wheel-tyre-package.html#!prettyPhoto
This rim has a 5x98 PCD fitment and is listed as a rim to fit the 156, but I was wondering if anyone on the forum had any insight/experience with running wheels this big on a 156.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[shiny_car]

Your wheel arches will be slightly different to my GT, from what I understand. I have 19x8.5" wheels, ET35, with 235/35R19 tyres. Tiny bit of rub on the rear wheel arch liners under load (eg: hard cornering), but not at the front, and not rubbing the actual metal quarter panels.

So, it will depend upon your offset and tyres choice. 235/35R19 retains the required load index for the V6 GT (91), but likely lower on your car; and most closely matches my factory 225/45R17, which is also a slightly different to yours. You can probably make do with 225/35R19 tyres, which I used to run, but only had a load index of 88.

Those wheels look nice. HOWEVER, be mindful of the actual amount of 'concavity'/dish on the wheels for YOUR car. Those in the photos will very unlikely be what you get, and it may end up much 'flatter', which loses a lot of the aggression. I am only speculating, so try and find out before committing. Perhaps have Ozzy arrange a photo from the supplier of your actual spec wheel.

You will obviously compromise on weight and ride comfort, and unless the wheels are pretty strong, you'll be at considerable risk of buckling them if you hit something hard (deep pothole, big ridge at speed, etc).

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

Thanks for the insight shiny!

For this wheel I would be looking at getting 225/35/19 profile tires. I was planning on getting an offset that would flush out the wheel by about 15/20mm so the face of the wheel is flush with the edge of the wheel arch, so I'm hoping by doing so, should eliminate any rubbing on the inside. Better to adjust offset than use wheel spacers.

Good idea about getting the supplier to send through photos of the wheels in my specific size/offset as a big part of the reason I like these rims IS because of the concave dish. The rims wouldn't be the same without that concave. Might also ask them regarding the strength of the wheels. Not keen on buckling wheels.

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

UPDATE

So I was in contact with Johnathan from Ozzy Tyres who stock the Stance SC-7 rims, and he was able to confirm the following for me:
1) the concave design of the rim does not change due to offset, but to the width of the rim. The pics on the page for these rims are 10' wide, but he emailed through a pic of a recent fitting of the 8.5' and the concave design was still pretty nice on these.
2) explaining to him that my goal was to also flush out the wheels along the wheel arch, after a few questions he was able to recommend on offset of ET25mm to achieve this.
3) the wheels are engineered and structurally sound and are backed with manufacturer's lifetime warranty.

So I have to say that I'm pretty happy with this response, and now the Stance SC-7 Rims are seriously on the to-do list for next month.

[shiny_car]

Should be ok with +25mm offset. Mine are ET35, but again, the wheel arches are not exactly the same.

Probably want to ensure if they don't fit well (ie: too much tyre rubbing), they will change them to something like +35mm instead.

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

UPDATE

Yesterday's before and after shots:







Stance SC-7 19 x 8.5 Satin Black rims with 215/35/19 profile tyres.

Next on the cards will be:
- rolling wheel arches
- replace standard shocks with P.I shortened sports shocks
- replace 30mm drop King springs with 40mm drop Novitec Springs
- install adjustable camber kit

[shiny_car]

Do they stick out beyond the guards?

Go with coil overs, that way you can set the ride height you want. Maybe something like Zeatek Z9 from alfastumper.
The Novitect may not drop it any more at all. "40mm" is relative to...who knows.

Not sure I love it...yet. Needs lowering for sure. And need to see more pics. 

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

Hmmmm...good point Shiny. The funny thing is that it's already lowered 30mm.

I think I might throw on the Novitecs before ordering the P.I shocks.

If the ride height changes noticeably, then I'll go ahead with the P.I shocks.

If not, then I think I might check out your suggestion on the Zeatek Z9 from Alfastumper. You know much about the Z9's?

[shiny_car]

Zeatek coil overs are being used by a number of members from ausalfa, including GTAs. Very favourable feedback, and as such, top value for money.

You missed out on their free shipping (Dec 2013) to Oz, unfortunately.

[Meng]

I have the Z8s which are good value for money, the Z9s have the flexibility of stiffness settings.

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

Shiney and Meng,

Do you know if the Z9s are reconditionable?

A friend of mine who is a performance and suspension specialist mechanic suggests buying something that is reco friendly so when they do finally wear out, reconditioning is significantly cheaper than having to replace the whole set up.

He's suggested BC coilovers as a starting point:
http://www.bc-racing.co.uk/applications/alfa-romeo-coilovers/alfa-romeo-156-00-932/br-series-coilover-type-rs-1.html   

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

Also Meng,

You get my email regarding my interest for the March Workshop at Alfamen?

[shiny_car]

Shiney and Meng,

Do you know if the Z9s are reconditionable?

I don't know, particularly in Australia. If they are, probably need to send them back overseas.

Realistically, how long will you keep the car for? Another 100K km? Probably not, so it may be a moot point. But sure, nice to know they are serviceable.

Perhaps email Peter at alfastumper about shipping costs and servicing.

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

Realistically, how long will you keep the car for? Another 100K km? Probably not, so it may be a moot point. But sure, nice to know they are serviceable.

Considering I drive on average over 500km a week, I think measure my time with my car via kilometers driven would not be the way to go 

I guess your right, especially if I'm not doing any serious track time, they should definitely last me a long while.