A tire question

[dragvw2180]

 I am in the process of building a new Hot Rod  , I have purchased an absolutely rust free 66 bug and I already have most everything for it but tires.  If anyone has seen my Pro Outlaw car they have seen the drivetrain . My wheels are 4.5" front, 7" rear with disc brakes all around. I have been wondering what works best with your cars on the street ? Here is a picture of the wheels from the race car that I am using.





                       Thanks guys for your input, Mike McCarthy

[Shane Noone]

Hi Mike,

I am running a set of Firestone F560's up front ( 145 / 80 / 15 ) mounted on my Erco 4.5's - they seem ok on the road and an improvement over the 135's I used to have for sure. Obviously a tall tire like that may have clearance issues to headlamp bowls and front fenders on dive and turn......on lowered front ends.

[Zach Gomulka]

With such a large width difference in wheels you're going to have to do the same with tires, won't look right otherwise. 2 1/2" =  63.5mm. I'd do 145's and 205/70's or 155's (if you want a little more front height) and 215/65's.

[dragvw2180]

 I am concerned about turning corners , this is my number one priority because I will be driving this car to shows and cruisin with my wife and friends . If I do decide to race I do have other wheels w/slicks , so traction isn't so important. I looked at some 165/50/15sfor the front  but my rims are too narrow to have a 100% contact patch ?  Mike McCarthy

[Zach Gomulka]

They will fit on the wheel, but they will look a little buldgey compared to the rear (widest tire that actually fits in the rear fender is a 215). And the 165/50's are VERY short, you'll have to slam the nose in the weeds to get the tire to fill up the fender. A 165/65 would be a better choice, but it is still pretty short, just slightly shorter than a 135.
If you're really concerned about turning corners you need a wider wheel than 4.5". 5.5"-6" and a 175-185 tire.

[modnrod]

If you want it to steer well (like to avoid wooden crates falling off trucks on the Freeway or kangaroos escaped from LA zoo........), then a combo to consider would be something like 175/65R15 front and 205/65R15 rear.

[TexasTom]

Almost everything said here should help with a decision:

http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,20625.0.html

[dragvw2180]

Thanks guys, Mike