Hi , ok I've read a load of topics on tyres and gleaned a load of info but I still have more questions. Can anyone help? My bay is stock height and we regularly fill it with camping kit. The current tyres 195/60/15 front and 195/65/15 rear are cracked and need replacing If I went to 70 all round how would it drive? Would it cruise on the motorway at lower revs? Would it accelerate slower still? Would the 1.6 engine struggle with torque? And finally would it look ok? Here it is at the moment Thanks in advance Al
if you have 15 inch rims you need to run 195/70/15 commercial 8 ply tyres to make it the near as damn correct rolling radius to stock 185/14. to work out your acceleration differences with smaller tyres think of a bike cog, it's good acceleration with a small one but no top speed, slower with big but better to cruise, running the wrong size tyres can affect gearing and i guess the speed the engine fan runs..... i run 195/70/15 and it's fine (and we carry lots!) i can't see how you'd struggle with tourque as you say because the 70 profile is nearly stock, basically you'll accelerate a bit slower but cruise at lower revs (if you even notice) but your van will look better with the arches filled out.
Thanks Rick, that's great it's what I understood the case to be just wanted to hear it from someone else What does the 70 measurement refer to? Al
the 70 is the sidewall height......... 60 is low (so your front is smaller) 65 next then 70 then 75 etc etc.... 80 is usually standard on most normal tyres.
Thanks Guys Have been offered Maximiler Or Firestones Both 8ply van rated same wet braking results better economy on the Maximiler though and less noise 75 fitted Maximiler or 85 fitted Firestone What do you think
is the 1.6 engine stock ? if you have twin carbs and a good exhaust you might want to think about upping the gearing slightly with a bit bigger tyre on the back don't go mad just a few %
Don't expect to magically cruise at 70 with different tyres . Your 1600 just can't supply enough power to shove that big box through the air at lower revs, and you'll be reducing cooling to the engine just when it needs it.
Ah I didn't think about lower revs meaning less cooling I normally cruise at 60 and thought going to 195/70 tyres on 15 rims would be nearest to stock and therefore best Thanks Al
your 1600 was made with 185/14 and 195:70/15 is virtually the same, 2mm difference i think, it will cool and run fine.
That's fine . The 1600s weren't really designed to go much faster (they can, but they don't like it). I normally cruise at 60, and the engine's happy.
What they said + your existing tyres are too small. Your engine is going a bit fast for the speed and the speedo is over-reading. But not that far out to make your wheels look so teeny. Has your bus been raised? We've been through this before haven't we?
Maybe it is just the wheels.. Or not... Draw an imaginary line extending the bottom of the sill through the front wheels on each. Mines std at the front and light interior. The back should be standard, but I've lost the setting.
I was thinking the same, I bought my tintop with empi's already fitted on stock height but Harry's bus is much higher than mine was.
