spitfires
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: tires

To: "david" <engstrom@tstonramp.com>
Subject: Re: tires
From: "Graham Stretch" <technical@iwnet.screaming.net>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 21:18:50 +0100
Hi David
I have two cars with 185/70x13 tyres on, one has Roadhogs, the other has
BFGoodridge, the road hogs sway the BFG's don't, I have since compared the
sidewalls of each brand and found that the BFG's have a very stiff sidewall
in comparison with most other tyres, the stiff sidewall reduces the amount
of sway in the tyre but it also reduces the amount of road shocks that will
be absorbed, passing these to suspension and then the driver, I however
think this is a small sacrifice to make. the cars in question are a Triumph
2000 and 2500 saloon. the 2000 has poly bushings and is real tight except
for the tyres, the 2500 has original 90,000 mile rubber bushing and is quite
slack by comparison but the tyres make up for the suspension losses and it
will out corner the 2000, all other aspects of the suspension are in
comparable condition, i.e. standard springs and shocks.
Rule one, look for a tyre which has more rubber than air across the tread
area.
Rule two, if you want handling go for a tyre with a stiff sidewall, if you
want maximum comfort get tyres with a soft sidewall.
I hope this will help you make an informed decision when you change your
tyres.

Graham.

----- Original Message -----
From: Kevin Rhodes <krhodes1@maine.rr.com>
To: david <engstrom@tstonramp.com>; <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2000 4:27 AM
Subject: Re: tires


>
> I have tried 155/80, 175/70, 165/80 and 165/70 on Freddy - I like the
> 165/70's by far the best - they look right and they feel right. They are a
> little hard to find, I ordered Dunlops from the Tire Rack. The 155's were
> too narrow and slippery, the 175's loaded up the steering too much, and
the
> 165/80's were too tall, they would rub the top of the rear fenders over
> large bumps.
>
> Kevin Rhodes
> Portland, Maine
> Freddy the Spit of many model years, depending on where you look
>
>
>
> At 07:26 PM 4/25/2000 -0700, david wrote:
>
> >      I just bought a set of 175/70 tires for my 1979 spitfire and
> >mounted them on stock 4.5 inch wide rims (13 inch diameter). The tires
> >feel like jello. If I push the car to the side while standing next to it
> >it just jiggles back and forth. When driving it and steering from side
> >to side it just wiggles and waggles. Tire pressure is 32 lb. I am going
> >to try and return the tires - any suggestions? Would 165/80 be better?
> >     I have 6 inch mags with worn 205/60's that rub on bumps and corners
> >and have been advised to use 185/60's with them but I can't find anyone
> >local with these tires and I want to save some money and try the stock
> >rims for a while. But what tires can I put on the stock rims that won't
> >feel so mushy?
> >
> >Thanks, David
>


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>