Narrowest Tyres Possible?
#33
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As a matter of fact Glenn yes. And I was considering just swapping to winters anyway every winter, because I plan on getting to the passes a lot more often. I have other vehicles but why would I not drive a Porsche ... Europeans do
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#34
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Originally Posted by heinrich
OK Dave thou hast a PM, Brother ![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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BTW...here's a pic if anyone else is curious...
Medalist Winter Kings. I hadn't heard of the brand before, but I saw that they were on Transport Canada's list of tires approved for "severe snow conditions".
They worked well for me for the few months I had them on the car last winter.
![](http://www.mustangmods.com/data/13667/tires.jpg)
#36
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Originally Posted by heinrich
As a matter of fact Glenn yes. And I was considering just swapping to winters anyway every winter, because I plan on getting to the passes a lot more often. I have other vehicles but why would I not drive a Porsche ... Europeans do ![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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Glenn
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#38
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Originally Posted by heinrich
Wow. I found Blizzaks 205/65/16 for 90 bucks a piece ... hmmmm ...
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Here's few (large) pics of factory 7x16" winter wheels on 86.5 S US model imported to Finland some years ago.
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0746.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0747.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0748.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0749.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0750.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0751.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0752.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0753.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0746.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0747.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0748.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0749.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0750.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0751.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0752.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0753.JPG
#41
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http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
It might cause problems when steering is at full lock and/or suspension fully compressed. It's always good to aim to under few % difference compared to stock tire size.
Code:
Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference 225/50-16 4.4in 12.4in 24.9in 78.1in 811 0.0% 205/55-16 4.4in 12.4in 24.9in 78.2in 811 0.1% 205/65-16 5.2in 13.2in 26.5in 83.2in 761 6.6%
#43
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Thanks Erkka, that was very useful ... but Jim reckons taller is better .... I'm not sure I would want full lock anyway, but you're right, the fenders would be in the way. In the front at least.
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The top of the tire will be about 3/4 inch higher 1/2 the diameter increase but you also gain 3/4 inch of ground clearance. Which at stock ride height is only about 4 .75 inchs so another 3/4inch is significant especially if your car is lower than stock ! It is going to look funny anyway until you drive around other cars stuck in the snow! The narrow tires will be inset a bit from the wheel lip as well 1/4 inch or so. The footprint becomes narrow and longer instead of wider and short so cornering traction is less but acceleration and braking should be better.
#45
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All true and useful properties Jim but will there be enough clearance for them? If there is, taller is better for the really bad whether. On other hand lower than stock ride height hasn't been problem for locals and roads aren't best in the world here.
Tall winter tires will make steering feel like there's rubber bands installed as tie rods. Their sidewalls are much softer than on equal size summer tires. Expect delayed response to steering wheel changes. They're really soft if they're any good, meaning build to be real winter tires and not just summer model with different M+S tread design. There is even significant difference between winter tires sold in central Europe and in here within same brand and tire model. They may look the same but Scandinavian version has different rubber composition that 'melts' when used in clearly above zero celsius temperatures. These have much better traction below zero but would wear out in few 1k miles of Autobahn use. And then there are these studded ones that are unbeatable in worst possible conditions.
Tall winter tires will make steering feel like there's rubber bands installed as tie rods. Their sidewalls are much softer than on equal size summer tires. Expect delayed response to steering wheel changes. They're really soft if they're any good, meaning build to be real winter tires and not just summer model with different M+S tread design. There is even significant difference between winter tires sold in central Europe and in here within same brand and tire model. They may look the same but Scandinavian version has different rubber composition that 'melts' when used in clearly above zero celsius temperatures. These have much better traction below zero but would wear out in few 1k miles of Autobahn use. And then there are these studded ones that are unbeatable in worst possible conditions.