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Wheel and tire questions

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mikecyc72usa

mikecyc72usa

Jedi Trainee
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Ok, so I've checked out dosens of sources for wheels for my 1978 Spitfire. The biggest question I now have is this:

Should I upgrade to a 14" wheel or leave it at 13"? If I do go to 14", which tires would fit? I want to not have to modify hubs or deal with offset issues if possible, and am not looking to do any bodywork. It just seems tire choices for 13" wheels are a bit limited.

Thanks,
Mike
 
Dunno about Spits, but faced with a similar decision on the Stag, I'm sorry I chose to stay with the stock wheel diameter. There just aren't many choices in the tall, skinny profile that it used originally.

That said, Tire Rack shows a 78 Spit as taking 175/70-13 tires and they have no less than 10 different tires to choose from. The Sumitomo HTRs look good to me, either 200 for summer-only or T4 for year-round.

Can't help with tire choice, except to note that any large change in rolling diameter is going to affect ride height and speedometer calibration. If you don't want to change them, then it's probably best to stick with a similar diameter tire. TireRack shows 892 revs/mile for the General Altimax in 175/70-13; so something like the Yoko AVS in size 195/60-14 might make a good "plus one" tire if you've got the clearance for it.
 
Go for the 14s, 15s, whatever you like the look of. On 13s you would need 175/70, 14s it would be 175/60, 15s are 175/50, then as you can clearly see the pattern... for whatever size you want to match up. The 175 is the width of the tire, which can go up to 180 or 185 if you go down in sidewall height... example, 185/60-13 or 180/65-13. Its not perfect but it keeps you close enough to not get speeding tickets. I use a GPS to check my speedo and so far, even on my old racecar wheels, 205/40-16's I'm within 2mph @ 55.

Personally I'm sticking with the 13s, with the steel wheels, chrome trim rings, and soon-to-be-on White Walls. Larger seems to be excessively bumpy on these less-than-stellar Maryland roads. My suspension is MUCH lower than stock, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it, but tires are the 1st line of defense against a harsh pothole.
 
I pretty much figured 175 as the width. I don't want anything wider, especially for street use. I'm going to refinish my stock wheels and keep them around, so we'll see what other wheels end up on my car. Now if I can only get spark to the distributor to get it running again...
 
sorry I mean 195/60's. I have 215/50's on my car with the same wheels.
 
we are discussing that in another chat, tires in the size of 14 are becoming hard to find too, esp anything other than 60 series, I am looking to jump to 15 on my TR8 to get better tire choices
 
Jeez, I tried to buy a set of TR7/8 alloys off a guy on Craigslist just a week ago and then no one ever called me back when I caled the number he gave me to get the wheels. Now seeing how they look on a Spit really gets me steamed. Anyone have a set for sale?
 
I'd love to sale you my set of 14 inch Panasport so I could go to 15 or 16 inch
 
Tire choices for 13' inch wheels are limited. Mine are actually 185/70 Kumho Solus. I wouldn't get that tire again because I autocross and the sidewalls are too soft. 175/70 is the same diameter as stock so your speedo will be correct (at least as correct as it ever was). My next road tires will be 185 or 195/60s Sumitomo makes them but they don't have them listed at Tire Rack and I've lost the link to where I saw them. They were about 25$ more than TR. I love my alloys but since I lowered the front they rub against the upper A-arm when I turn in reverse. Never happened at stock height. ISTR that DNK had a set for sale.
 
mikecyc72usa said:
Jeez, I tried to buy a set of TR7/8 alloys off a guy on Craigslist just a week ago and then no one ever called me back when I caled the number he gave me to get the wheels. Now seeing how they look on a Spit really gets me steamed. Anyone have a set for sale?
Click to expand...


How about these?

DSCF3657.jpg

DSCF3660.jpg
 
DNK said:
mikecyc72usa said:
Jeez, I tried to buy a set of TR7/8 alloys off a guy on Craigslist just a week ago and then no one ever called me back when I caled the number he gave me to get the wheels. Now seeing how they look on a Spit really gets me steamed. Anyone have a set for sale?
Click to expand...


How about these?

DSCF3657.jpg

DSCF3660.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow!! Those are the ones I want, actually? Send me an email and let's talk.
mikecyc72austin@gmail.com

Thanks.
 
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