XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 ) 2003 - 2009

305/30R20 - Michelin Sport Cup 2 in the rear!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 08-26-2020 | 11:04 AM
Matei Dima's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 132
Likes: 69
From: Cluj, Transylvania, Romania, Europe
Default 305/30R20 - Michelin Sport Cup 2 in the rear!

Bought a set of Vulcan XKR-S rims (20X10.5 ET52, 20X9 ET 49) like Simon has on his XJR. However instead of 295/30 PS4S, I wanted a bit more sidewall & a racier compound, without having to go to a 35 aspect ratio (too tall a tire). So I bought 2 Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires in 305/30R20 guise.

I put the rims on the tires, and proceeded to mount the wheels with the car on the lift. Could see the tires rub badly against the inner liner, but since the wheel translates to the outside when the car is lowered on its wheels, I did not worry. However, when I lowered the lift, the rear remained high. I had a birief Oh $h!t moment, but then I said OK, let's roll it a bit, so it can overcome the friction with the liner, and settle on its wheels.

Trouble is that even after I rolled it a few meters, the rear still was on as high as if the car was on the lift! I quickly waved the white flag of surrender, and put the other wheels back on.
Back at the dealer, I said let's take the wheel liner completely off. Good news! The 20X10.5 ET52 rim with the Sport Cup 2 305/30R20 tire fits with a pinky finger to spare! And best of all, no need for spacers, which could potentially move the problem to the outside. Simon had to use a 3mm spacer with his 295.

Now the bad news: there is this one bolt welded into the body smack in the middle of the wheel well, that supports the inner wheel liner. It sticks out like 2.5-3cm. That's 1"- 1 1/5" for you imperialists

If I cut the bolt, I can't uncut it later on. What is your opinion on driving without the wheel liner? Would there be any harm done? Or how about trimming the inner part of the rear wheel liner? Would there be support for it?

Please help me find the best solution, any ideas welcome!


 

Last edited by Matei Dima; 08-26-2020 at 11:32 AM.
  #2  
Old 08-26-2020 | 01:59 PM
jazzyjags's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 394
Likes: 241
From: Tampa, FL
Default

Mat, I had some issues with 295 Pirellis rubbing the wheel liner back when i had the car even lower than it sits now. It wasn't real bad, just rubbed enough to wear a groove into the wheel liner. I decided to keep the liner on though because of the environment here. It rains a lot in Florida and i did not want to get water and mud splashed onto what would otherwise stay dry and protected. These days, I never drive the car in the rain or wet now with the drag radials, so maybe it wouldn't have made a difference if I had taken them off. But i guess for your situation I would consider how often you drive the car, the condition of the roads, and what the climate is like.

I think the 305's would look beast on there. But I would hate to see you have issues further down the line without the liner. As far as the bolt, if you decide you can live without the liner, I would cut it off. Maybe not completely smooth, leave a bit of surface on there so you can weld something back on if you decide you need to have it back on.

Can you post some pictures of the wheels? And on the car if you got to take any? Would love to see how aggressive it looks.
 
  #3  
Old 08-26-2020 | 02:40 PM
Matei Dima's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 132
Likes: 69
From: Cluj, Transylvania, Romania, Europe
Default

Haven't had the urge to take any photo with the wheels on the car, I was too busy cursing my luck (the wheels were actually resting on that darn bolt, didn't know it at the time).

Actually, after inspecting the wheel well area, all that the plastic protects is Aluminium, no nooks and crannies for anything to get into. I believe though sound would be an issue... That's why I was thinking of a compromise, just cut the inside of the liner, also cut the bolt, leave maybe 5-8mm, and hope the liner stays on with the rest of the screws & clips. Anybody have any experience with trimming the liners?

If I manage to get back tomorrow, I will surely get a few shots.. The Sport Cups look really intimidating!
 
  #4  
Old 08-27-2020 | 10:43 AM
SimonXJ's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 123
Likes: 76
From: Scotland
Default

I'm back with mine next week so will take a photo to show the set up, but I've never actually taken the liner off, I just cut the back part off with a dremel, and ground that bolt off flush. Mine have been like that for 5 years now and haven't moved once so I would say it is okay! But then I would wouldn't I!

The liner is cut along the line on the modified photo


Real life photo will be incoming next Friday if you can hold off!
 
  #5  
Old 08-28-2020 | 05:02 AM
caldoofy's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 362
Likes: 217
From: newcastle
Default

On mine with the 295/25/21s I cut the liner away where it was catching then removed that stud before refitting what was left of the liner to return as much protection as I could.
 
  #6  
Old 08-28-2020 | 08:11 AM
Matei Dima's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 132
Likes: 69
From: Cluj, Transylvania, Romania, Europe
Default

Only managed to arrive during the lunch break, before having to go back. I'm a bit frustrated, I really wanted to see the look of the 305s out back... Jazzy, since you requested, here's a couple of pics of the Sport Cups... I think that on an equal size, they're bigger. Simon, caldoofy, yours are pretty close - care to comment?

Since two members already had good results with trimming the liner, I guess I'll do that, when I can. That means after October 4th, when I'm through with my test. Till then, I've decided to finally change the Jag's color to Ultimate black, I've seen some at the dealer, but it's not final. I welcome any suggestions to a great black paint that's not impossible to maintain ( I already have the TX9 solvent based single stage flat black for my '68 Charger to give me worries ... )

Also, I have to decide if I would have anything left to splurge on caldoofy's headers & perhaps the rest of the exhaust system.... to my surprise, my "stainless" exhaust is beginning to rust..... caldoofy, any troubles with a LHD installation? Have you managed to get your system to somebody who drives on the *right* side of the road? :P Or would I be the first?






 
The following users liked this post:
jazzyjags (08-28-2020)
  #7  
Old 08-28-2020 | 10:20 AM
paydase's Avatar
Veteran Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 344
From: Brussels, BELGIUM
Default

Impressive rubber!
 
  #8  
Old 08-28-2020 | 11:28 AM
jazzyjags's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 394
Likes: 241
From: Tampa, FL
Default

Wow those are going to look great on your R. And with it painted, should look like an entirely different car. Looking forward to it
 
  #9  
Old 08-28-2020 | 07:21 PM
Wingrider's Avatar
Veteran Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,301
Likes: 804
From: Stow Ohio
Default

Order a used set from a bone yard, cut up the worst of the two sets.
 
  #10  
Old 08-29-2020 | 04:55 AM
caldoofy's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 362
Likes: 217
From: newcastle
Default

Originally Posted by Matei Dima
Only managed to arrive during the lunch break, before having to go back. I'm a bit frustrated, I really wanted to see the look of the 305s out back... Jazzy, since you requested, here's a couple of pics of the Sport Cups... I think that on an equal size, they're bigger. Simon, caldoofy, yours are pretty close - care to comment?

Since two members already had good results with trimming the liner, I guess I'll do that, when I can. That means after October 4th, when I'm through with my test. Till then, I've decided to finally change the Jag's color to Ultimate black, I've seen some at the dealer, but it's not final. I welcome any suggestions to a great black paint that's not impossible to maintain ( I already have the TX9 solvent based single stage flat black for my '68 Charger to give me worries ... )

Also, I have to decide if I would have anything left to splurge on caldoofy's headers & perhaps the rest of the exhaust system.... to my surprise, my "stainless" exhaust is beginning to rust..... caldoofy, any troubles with a LHD installation? Have you managed to get your system to somebody who drives on the *right* side of the road? :P Or would I be the first?



Firstly those 305s look great, need to make sure the rolling radius is in tolerance with the fronts though or you could end up with some strange stability/TCS faults.

On the LHD front for the manifolds lots of interest but no takers, I have had them mirror images though to take account of the steering rack being on the opposite (and therefore wrong) side of the car so there should not be any issues.
 
  #11  
Old 08-29-2020 | 05:10 AM
paydase's Avatar
Veteran Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 344
From: Brussels, BELGIUM
Default

Michelin Sport Cup 2 in the 265/35 size would be the best fit wrt rolling radius for the front
 
  #12  
Old 08-29-2020 | 11:33 AM
Matei Dima's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 132
Likes: 69
From: Cluj, Transylvania, Romania, Europe
Default

Actually the 305/30R20 & 265/35R20 combo is VERY close to the standard 235/50R18 tires that come stock with the 2003-2005 Super V8. By looking at the side of the wheel, the sidewall looks tall enough to be "safe", at least compared to my 285/30R20 PSS. Testing will have to wait at least after September though...

Wingrider, I can guarantee that you won't find any XJs around here, much less at the scrapper. Transylvanians have other ways of getting around... blah - blablah! Now seriously, most cars here are 4 cylinder diesels so no luck.

I think I am going to trim mine, I feel I'm not risking anything. Worst case, they're under 100 Euros new, as I understand.

Will keep everyone posted!
 
The following users liked this post:
SimonXJ (08-30-2020)
  #13  
Old 08-29-2020 | 12:18 PM
ChrisMills's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 927
Likes: 279
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Default

I Admire you guys. I'm sitting here dumb-struck!
But I was wondering why you wouldn't choose an XKR?
 
  #14  
Old 08-29-2020 | 01:39 PM
Matei Dima's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 132
Likes: 69
From: Cluj, Transylvania, Romania, Europe
Default

It's because we've been together for 14 years this September
 
The following users liked this post:
SimonXJ (08-30-2020)
  #15  
Old 08-30-2020 | 10:43 AM
SimonXJ's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 123
Likes: 76
From: Scotland
Default

Tyres look good! I would say from a quick look they look a bit chunkier on the sidewall than mine but I can get some pictures and measurements of mine when I can.

I was just thinking if yours ends up black the cars will start to look very similar!
 
  #16  
Old 08-31-2020 | 09:48 AM
caldoofy's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 362
Likes: 217
From: newcastle
Default

Originally Posted by ChrisMills
I Admire you guys. I'm sitting here dumb-struck!
But I was wondering why you wouldn't choose an XKR?
An XKR is an awesome machine but not if you have a small family as no space in the back, XJR gives the same performance but with the added practicality. 😉
 
The following users liked this post:
jazzyjags (08-31-2020)
  #17  
Old 09-08-2020 | 06:01 AM
SimonXJ's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 123
Likes: 76
From: Scotland
Smile Wheel arch Photos

Hopefully these help as an illustration






 
The following users liked this post:
Panthro (12-14-2020)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jeff_the_chef
F-Type ( X152 )
8
07-30-2020 10:49 AM
Jag!55pp
X-Type ( X400 )
4
02-26-2020 12:25 PM
LaCroix
F-Type ( X152 )
10
08-25-2019 10:07 PM
jagtoes
XK / XKR ( X150 )
4
08-13-2014 08:08 AM
richzak
Wheels / Tires, Suspension & handling
2
01-10-2014 04:58 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: 305/30R20 - Michelin Sport Cup 2 in the rear!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:41 PM.