chrisiden Posted September 2, 2001 Share Posted September 2, 2001 A question for anyone using 13inch wheels. How much ground clearance do you get below the sump (I assume this is the lowest point); And how does it cope with road obstacles such as speed bumps? Has anyone raised the height using the adjustable suspension, and how much clearance can you get before the handling of the car becomes affected or the wheels look ‘lost’ in the rear arches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisd Posted September 2, 2001 Share Posted September 2, 2001 I run my '88 de-dion on 13" minilites - no real problem with speed bumps on public roads, the worst ones are those in private car-parks/entrances/driveways etc. As long as I go slow, sometimes at an angle, there is enough clearance. Watch out for the rectangular lumps in the road (we have a lot in Northants) - put a wheel on each lump and let the sump go over the trough!! cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted September 2, 2001 Share Posted September 2, 2001 My '93 'K' series with 13" Minilites and AO21R's gives 100mm sump to road unladen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick VVC Posted September 3, 2001 Share Posted September 3, 2001 I'm on 13" wheels & not had any problems - speed bumps are Ok if you take them slowly & at an angle; on & off car ferries seems to be OK if you follow the same process (most deck hands usually watch your sump clearance for you anyway). The worst thing I have to encounter is the kerb outside my garage! Sump height is about 2", with adjustable suspension set high(ish). Handling is great as far as I'm concerned - but then I did switch from 15" wheels & Michelin Pilots so anything was going to be an improvement! Tyres are CR500 - not especially low profile. Hope this helps Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike ashurst Posted September 3, 2001 Share Posted September 3, 2001 My '96 K series with 13" minilites and A021R's gave me about 1.5" (without adjustable shocks), so I switched to 16" for road use which gave me about 2.5". However, the ride is noticeably worse with the larger wheel/tyre diameter so I'm thinking about going back to the 13" (whcich I kept for track days etc). With the 13" the main problem was speed humps in car parks and the rectangular traffic calming humps (we have them in Bournemouth too!). Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dartmoor7 Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 Depends whether you fit 185/60x13 or 185/70x13 tyres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Tipp Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 I'm on a 1999 1.6 K Superlight with ACB10's and I get 75mm under the sump. As with the others, watch the small speedbumps, other than that I've been fine. T 1 PPB - Superlight "Well yes officer I'm not arguing, it's just that [insert excuse here]..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 With my little old Classic live axle, I raised the suspension to the upper limit suggested in the build manual - i.e. 10mm above normal. This gives about 100mm under the x-flow sump to cope with various nasty speed humps and changes in incline (e.g. the bridge to the South Bank at Brands Hatch). This is with 70 profile tyres and flared wings. Cheers, Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powderpuff Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 Chris, 100mm unlaided Just what do you get when you're in it.....blush.gifteeth.gif PP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Corb Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 My VVC wet sump has 65mm under it witout me in the car. Its got 185/60/13's on the front on adjustable platforms. I've have no probs at all so far so I'll bring it down a peg. I assume the superlight refered to above has a dry sump therefore mouch better clearance. BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmar Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 on my new sl (32's 60 profile 13 inch) Ihave around 60mm clerance and am gettting quite a bit of grounding over not too high speed calming measures this is with the dry sump as well i am planning ot get it up to nearer75 when I get it next flat floored setuped rob Brad - was that you I saw blatting down the A329M yesterday about 4:30 Edited by - robmar on 11 Sep 2001 12:38:44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Haighton Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 Live axle crossflow with adjustable platforms: 60 profile tyres: 65mm under the sump. I live in speed bump city (Gloucester), so this set up bans me from all but the main roads. Hence I normally use 70 profiles for the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin H Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 Apologies if this has been discussed before - anyone know of anyone successfully suing the council/road authority for car damage caused by speed humps ? While I usually avoid them, or carefully judge which ones I can get over, I'm sure I'll either forget or misjudge it one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 Well after the 'Rumble' with soft springs and hot dampers we saw 65mm clearance unladen. Not good !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss_Tony Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 Chris Just think how low your car would be if you fitted a proper engine! The k-series cars suspension should be set a little higher to enable easier loading on to the AA truck! James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Tipp Posted September 12, 2001 Share Posted September 12, 2001 Rob, Yep, that was me obeying the speed limit again. T 1 PPB - Superlight "Well yes officer I'm not arguing, it's just that [insert excuse here]..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted September 13, 2001 Share Posted September 13, 2001 1600 K series on 13s with 2 people in the car will ground the sump on anything over about 2 inches, for example a metal runway lighting pod..... sad.gif X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam Mad Posted September 13, 2001 Share Posted September 13, 2001 1700 x flow on a021's. incredibly low. ground out frequently. re-enforced alloy sump though. speaking to others on the rumble, it happened to everyone, regardless of setup. in fact, i'm so low my exhaust grounds !!!! but i do love the look. j Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbirdman Posted September 13, 2001 Share Posted September 13, 2001 20" Avon slicks on 13" wheels with the suspension set low is: TOO LOW! Just had the sump off to get it ground flat again. That's what putting a wheel either side of the curbing at Oulton does for you. blush.gif thumbsdown.gif Is it a bike? Is it a car? No it's Blackbirdman cool.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy oliver Posted September 13, 2001 Share Posted September 13, 2001 as a matter of interest I phoned the council(Tandridge) on this matter.Speed bumps are supposed to be a maximum 75mm if memory serves.I guess if you damage your car and measure the bump to be greater than this you may have a claim against the council. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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