• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

VTO Wheels/Tire Size

BritCars54

Member
Offline
I am new to the forum. Question about my recently acquired '60 TR3A. I have a new set of VTO Classic 8's, 15x6, +24 offset (as recommended by VTO). Have not put them on yet (long story). Tires will need replacing. I am considering 185x65x15 vs a 195x65x15.
FYI, might do some autocross in the future. Anyone with experience with this combination of wheels/tires, or suggestions? Appreciate the input. Al
 

Brosky

Great Pumpkin
Offline
Al, welcome to the forum. I'm sure that someone will be along soon to answer your question, as there are a lot of knowledgeable TR3 owners here.
 

toysrrus

Yoda
Offline
Hi Al,

You sure are quick in posting here which is Great but you forgot the darn "PICTURES"!!!!!

You may want to post your question in the "Racing" Forum as well. There`s a gent there (Hap Waldrop - Acme Speed Shop); Racer, Engine Builder, VTO Sales & Service & Others.

I`m sure he can give you the definite answer to your question(s).

"HAPPY NEW YEAR" to "ALL".

Russ
 
Offline
Al, sorry for the delay, I normally suggest the +3mm 3.58" backspacing wheel for the TR3s, the +24mm is what we use on the MGA and MGB.
 
OP
B

BritCars54

Member
Offline
Thanks so much for the input. I purchased directly from VTO as it was easy for me to go to Prescott Valley, AZ to pickup. I have not mounted tires yet, as the car is not yet drivable. Awaiting backordered throttle shafts for my SUs. Need to get running so I can get over to a friend's house to remove knock-offs, place studs, etc.
Will contact VTO.
Once I have the correct wheel, what would you suggest for tire size? Want something more than 165s. Was thinking 185-65-15 or 195-65-15.
Thanks again!
 

nissanite

Senior Member
Offline
I have a TR-4A that is waiting for the body to go on. I would rather have a taller tire but I have put 195/65/15 on. I am worried about the width. I think 185 would be better.
Any premium brand modern tire will be lightyears ahead of the technology from the 60's. A 185 will give you more grip than the car was ever designed for.

I work for Bridgestone Americas as a product trainer. Unless you are racing your car, I suggest a "Touring" level tire. It will firm up the ride from original & give a fair ride on the highway.
 
OP
B

BritCars54

Member
Offline
Thanks for the input...I agree and think the 185 will be more than enough...even if I do autocross at Triumphest once a year.
 
Offline
I too think the 185/65/15 would be a good choice, and would welcome feedback, and pictures to better help future TR3 customers.
 
OP
B

BritCars54

Member
Offline
Thanks Hap. Will be some weeks before pictures...throttle shafts for the SUs on backorder for 3 more weeks.
 

TR3driver

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
IMO the tire construction is much more important than the size/width, at least on a TR suspension. There aren't a lot of high performance tires available in 185/65-15, but there are a few that should be decent. I've had good luck with Bridgestone Potenzas and I see Tire Rack has the G019 Grid (which is rated "high performance all season") in 185/65-15.

Of course they will be a bit shorter than the stock tires, but only by 5% or so (meaning your speedo will read about 3 mph higher at 60 mph than it would with the stock tires).

And the 185 are narrow enough that you shouldn't have any issues with interference, even if the body isn't quite perfectly centered over the wheels. On my TR3A I had to tweak the body in several places to get 205s under the fenders, and they would still rub lightly in hard turns.
 

martx-5

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Hap Waldrop said:
I too think the 185/65/15 would be a good choice, and would welcome feedback, and pictures to better help future TR3 customers.

I put on 185/70-15's (Vredestien Sprint Classics) on my TR3. The diameter of 185/70-15s is almost exactly the same as 165/80-15s. They fill the wheel wells nicely and I feel they look right for the car.
 

Attachments

  • 27505.jpg
    27505.jpg
    52.6 KB · Views: 181
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
B New VTO wheels ?? Tire Size for TR3 Racing 7
thechileman TR4/4A VTO wheels on a TR4- questions Triumph 23
Hap Waldrop VTO Performance Wheels, Spring Sale Spridgets 13
Hap Waldrop VTO Performance Wheels, Spring Sale MG 1
Hap Waldrop VTO Performance Wheels, Spring Sale Triumph 9
BobbyD Latest Upgrades: VTO Wheels & Wilwood Calipers Triumph 7
TonyPanchot Considering VTO Wheels Triumph 4
Hap Waldrop MGA New VTO Retro 4 wheels now in 15x6 for MGA/B MG 2
Hap Waldrop Spitfire New VTO wheels in for the Spitfires Triumph 5
Hap Waldrop New VTO wheels here and ready for shipment !!!!!! Spridgets 30
Hap Waldrop New VTO wheels here MG 15
Hap Waldrop VTO Wheels Feb. free shipping deal MG 10
Rut VTO center caps Spridgets 3
Hap Waldrop Acme Speed Shop VTO wheel Black Friday Sale 20% off Racing 0
Hap Waldrop Acme Speed Shop VTO wheel Black Friday Sale 20% off Spridgets 4
Hap Waldrop Acme Speed Shop VTO wheel Black Friday Sale 20% off Triumph 2
Hap Waldrop Acme Speed Shop VTO wheel Black Friday Sale 20% off MG 1
Hap Waldrop Acme Speed Shop VTO Wheel Black Friday Sale Spridgets 31
Hap Waldrop Acme Speed Shop VTO Wheel Black Friday Sale MG 0
Hap Waldrop New VTO Lemans is here ! Triumph 5
Hap Waldrop NEW VTO Lemans is here and ready for shipment MG 2
T Anyone else get rubbing on their VTO rims? Spridgets 31
Hap Waldrop VTO Spring wheel special Triumph 4
Hap Waldrop VTO Spring Wheel Special Spridgets 9
Hap Waldrop VTO Spring wheel special MG 1
Hap Waldrop MGB Poll: New VTO wheel for MGBs MG 21
Hap Waldrop New !!! VTO wheel offering for Triumphs Triumph 10
Hap Waldrop NEW VTO Retro 4 14x5.5 for Spridgets Spridgets 25
bugedd VTO wheel fit issues, help Hap! Spridgets 24
Hap Waldrop VTO Retro 4 vs VTO Classic 8 Triumph 40
Hap Waldrop VTO wheel Christmas special Spridgets 35
Hap Waldrop VTO 15x6 Classic 8 alloy wheel sale MG 3
Hap Waldrop New VTO Retro 4s Triumph 24
Hap Waldrop New VTO 15x6 wheel in stock for big Healeys Austin Healey 6
Hap Waldrop New VTO 15x6 wheel in Stock for Tigers and Alpines Sunbeam (Rootes) 0
F MGB-GT what do these wheels go to MG 1
CARSINC My Spyder-Mite Gets Wheels Spridgets 9
K TR2/3/3A American Racing Slot Wheels Triumph 0
R For Sale FS: Revolution 5 Spoke Wheels (Triumph) Other British Classifieds 4
scottkilpatrick TR4/4A Knock off wire wheels procedure..basic questions Triumph 9
J Installing Adapter Hubs for Wire Wheels on a Bugeye Austin Healey 5
T "Flashpower" Steering Wheels Austin Healey 3
E educational resources for truing wire wheels Restoration & Tools 0
D Wanted TR6 72 Spoke Wire Wheels (painted) Wanted Triumph Classifieds 0
F For Sale Four Steel Wheels Triumph TR3 or TR4 Triumph Classifieds 5
S For Sale Bugeye wheels, steel with round holes set of 5 available Spridgets Classified 0
Tim Tucker TR4/4A Konig 16x7 wheels and leaf spring clearance for TR4 Triumph 5
V MGB Stock Alloy Wheels from Other Cars That Fit 4 114.3 and 14" with correct offset? MG 10
W For Sale Wheels for sale Austin Healey Classifieds 1
glemon Wanted TR250 Wheels Triumph Classifieds 1

Similar threads

Top