Partial chop top/teardrop on a metro

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by mpg_numbers_guy

These are the brake reduction clips I used. There are other sizes available; not sure what size works on the Metro.

Ebay has the Bridgestones for $149.99 for two, which isn't a bad deal. Costco sometimes has them for $250 for a set, including mounting and balancing.

You're right about the bolt pattern - 4x114; I just looked it up. Bummer on that. Smooth wheel covers would improve the aerodynamics of the LSi wheels.

155/80R13 tires are pretty cheap ($40/ea?) and they will also provide taller gearing and the sidewall will help ride quality.

Yeah I did some looking and my local scrap yard has one 13" wheel listed for $30, not sure if he only has one or if he has a set, I'll have to check. There's a yard about 100 miles away that has piles of them for $25, so either way it won't be hard to get my hands on a set, so sounds like 13's will be my best bet, and I won't have to worry about the hub bore.

[skyking]

cool project
i think about a clean slate on my tdi beetle from time to time. Bravo!

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Originally Posted by Shaneajanderson

Yeah I did some looking and my local scrap yard has one 13" wheel listed for $30, not sure if he only has one or if he has a set, I'll have to check. There's a yard about 100 miles away that has piles of them for $25, so either way it won't be hard to get my hands on a set, so sounds like 13's will be my best bet, and I won't have to worry about the hub bore.

Look for the lightest weight ones you can, if you have more than one option. Rotational mass is huge on small cars like the Metro. 4x114 doesn't seem to be a common bolt pattern though.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by mpg_numbers_guy

Look for the lightest weight ones you can, if you have more than one option. Rotational mass is huge on small cars like the Metro. 4x114 doesn't seem to be a common bolt pattern though.

It seems that they were all steel, only difference being whether they were painted black with plastic hub caps, or painted silver with a little "Metro" center cap.

The other question that comes to mind, is what to do with the stock 12" wheels?

[mpg_numbers_guy]

How good is the spare tire that came with the car, if it came with one? If it didn't come with one or if the spare is in pretty bad shape, you could use one of the old tires/rims as a spare.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by mpg_numbers_guy

How good is the spare tire that came with the car, if it came with one? If it didn't come with one or if the spare is in pretty bad shape, you could use one of the old tires/rims as a spare.

Good question, don't know. We got a blasted blizzard here yesterday and I didn't take all that much time looking the car over a second time but I'll check. To be honest I'm not even quite sure where the spare is on these cars.

[2016 Versa]

Here's a guide to wheel dimensions for different types of cars. I thought it might be helpful in finding wheels you could use and would fit correctly. http://adaptitusa.com/referencebook.htm Older model Nissan Versa's used a 4x114 bolt pattern but that has changed in the last few years and they now use a 4x100 bolt pattern. The reason I know this is because I've been looking for an extra wheel for a spare for my 2016 Versa but all I've been able to find in the junk yards are the older pattern.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by 2016 Versa

Here's a guide to wheel dimensions for different types of cars. I thought it might be helpful in finding wheels you could use and would fit correctly. http://adaptitusa.com/referencebook.htm Older model Nissan Versa's used a 4x114 bolt pattern but that has changed in the last few years and they now use a 4x100 bolt pattern. The reason I know this is because I've been looking for an extra wheel for a spare for my 2016 Versa but all I've been able to find in the junk yards are the older pattern.

I've seen the list, but is there a list or which of these are aluminum? I know all the metro wheels I can find are steel

[skyking]

i'd worry less about hubcentric dimensions, more about pattern and offset, and try to get 14". the tire choices and prices tend to be much better; 13" is becoming a rarity. the studs can handle the centering loads and there are cheap plastic centering rings available also.

[2016 Versa]

Originally Posted by Shaneajanderson

I've seen the list, but is there a list or which of these are aluminum? I know all the metro wheels I can find are steel

I don't know of such a list, but lots of cars now have optional alloy wheels so if you can find what type cars have wheels that fits you could spend a Saturday in a junk yard seeing if anything they have are aluminum or if they're all steel. With lower profile tires they're putting on cars now it's also a possibility you could use 15" or 16" wheels if there's enough fender clearance. My Versa has 15" rims with a stock tire size 185/65/15. I just bought 2 Kumho Solus TA11 LRR 75,000 mile tires for it and was out the door for around $185. I used to drive an '88 Ford Escort that stock tire size was 165/80/13 but I'd ran tires as large as 185/75/14's an 1 1/2 larger diameter without issues.