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stiffer sidewalls?
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Topic: stiffer sidewalls? (Read 6704 times)
Jim Ratto
Hero Member
Posts: 7121
stiffer sidewalls?
«
on:
February 13, 2008, 22:32:30 pm »
I noticed my rear tires are awfully wishy washy, in the sidewalls. I wonder if this is a symptom of every taller, high aspect-ratio tire or is there a tire which has a nice, stiffer sidewall. Just shutting the door on my car, the entire car wallows on the rear sidewalls like a dish of Jell-o.
I'm not trying to run 1.50 60 foots, I want the car to respond in corners.
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.
Hero Member
Posts: 1768
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #1 on:
February 13, 2008, 22:40:31 pm »
I'm not sure what brand or size tire you are using, but if you can find the same size in a "light truck" tire, it will have thicker sidewalls.
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Jim Ratto
Hero Member
Posts: 7121
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #2 on:
February 13, 2008, 22:41:10 pm »
Quote from: Richard Roth on February 13, 2008, 22:40:31 pm
I'm not sure what brand or size tire you are using, but if you can find the same size in a "light truck" tire, it will have thicker sidewalls.
That's an idea!
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louisb
Hero Member
Posts: 3274
Runs with Scissors
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #3 on:
February 13, 2008, 22:52:21 pm »
What size are you running?
--louis
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Louis Brooks
The Beatings Will Continue Until Moral Improves!
Jim Ratto
Hero Member
Posts: 7121
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #4 on:
February 13, 2008, 23:06:22 pm »
Quote from: louisb on February 13, 2008, 22:52:21 pm
What size are you running?
--louis
205/65/15 Firestone Firehawk.
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louisb
Hero Member
Posts: 3274
Runs with Scissors
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #5 on:
February 13, 2008, 23:11:55 pm »
If you were using a 70 I was going to suggest a 65 or 60. You might also look for a tire that is designed more for touring or sports driving. Perreli P4000 or something like that. One other thing you can do is to go to a wider rim or narrower tire. This pushes the sidewall out more and makes it stiffer. And I probably don't have to mention this, but make sure they are aired up to the right psi.
--louis
Logged
Louis Brooks
The Beatings Will Continue Until Moral Improves!
Jim Ratto
Hero Member
Posts: 7121
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #6 on:
February 13, 2008, 23:13:24 pm »
Quote from: louisb on February 13, 2008, 23:11:55 pm
If you were using a 70 I was going to suggest a 65 or 60. You might also look for a tire that is designed more for touring or sports driving. Perreli P4000 or something like that. One other thing you can do is to go to a wider rim or narrower tire. This pushes the sidewall out more and makes it stiffer. And I probably don't have to mention this, but make sure they are aired up to the right psi.
--louis
Anybody have a preference for a sports-touring tire?
BTW i have them inflated to 34psi cold.
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Felix/DFL
Sr. Member
Posts: 386
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #7 on:
February 13, 2008, 23:43:34 pm »
Don`t go with the Pirelli P4000, they look way to modern...
Maybe you have a talk with a fellow that drives wide-Ovals, then you will realize you car drives like heaven
Maybe the bearings of the springplates are worn out. That would even give an soft feeling in the back.
206/65 the tiresize I even want to go this season.
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Jim Ratto
Hero Member
Posts: 7121
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #8 on:
February 13, 2008, 23:47:38 pm »
Quote from: Felix/DFL on February 13, 2008, 23:43:34 pm
Don`t go with the Pirelli P4000, they look way to modern...
Maybe you have a talk with a fellow that drives wide-Ovals, then you will realize you car drives like heaven
Maybe the bearings of the springplates are worn out. That would even give an soft feeling in the back.
206/65 the tiresize I even want to go this season.
Well, I'm not as concerned with appearance as I am with responsiveness, to an extent. I have replaced all spring plate bushings with S-A-W urethane. Honestly, if you nudge the car, you can see it wiggle on sidewalls.
I am considering maybe going for a 185-65-15 sports touring tire, maybe a Bridgestone,
I don't know.... I should see what the 356 guys are doing.....
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Dave Galassi
Sr. Member
Posts: 342
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #9 on:
February 13, 2008, 23:56:04 pm »
Dear Uncle Jim:
VW had the problem as well, with the Vanagons and the Eurovans. Both were equipped with reinforced sidewall tires, the Vanagons were 185/14's (originally Michelins) and the Eurovans 205/60/15's (Continentals), if my memory serves correct. Continental is also currently supplying a reinforced sidewall tire for the Sprinter Vans being sold here in the states, but I don't recall the size(s). Ask a tire rep for a reinforced sidewall 15.
I am running Continental Vanco reinforced sidewall tires on the crew cab and I believe they make all the difference. 195/70/15's, made in Germany, not here. The U.S. built tires are generally not as well built, in my opinion.
There are options out there.
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Donny B.
Hero Member
Posts: 1340
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #10 on:
February 14, 2008, 01:00:48 am »
Jim I am running 195 x 65 Michelin tires. At the time I bought them I believe I was told that they were for the 190 series Mercedes. The side walls seem pretty flexible to me, however they seem to work very well at speed especially in the rain. I am due to replace them soon as they have been on the car for a long time and are pretty worn. I will be interested to see what you decide on. I do know that the 185 x 70 is suppose to be the same height as a 165 R tire. I had some for a while, but wore them out driving the car everywhere. The 195 x 65 is close in height, but a little short.
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Don Bulitta
Wolfsburg Registry
Jim Ratto
Hero Member
Posts: 7121
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #11 on:
February 14, 2008, 01:12:13 am »
Hi Dave and Don, thanks for the tips.
The diameter is something I need to pay attention to, as I'm running a 4.37:1 thanks for the reminder.
HUH? WHAT? DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?
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Rick Meredith
DKK
Hero Member
Posts: 5312
We can't force ya to have fun
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #12 on:
February 14, 2008, 01:21:17 am »
Quote from: Jim Ratto on February 14, 2008, 01:12:13 am
Hi Dave and Don, thanks for the tips.
The diameter is something I need to pay attention to, as I'm running a 4.37:1 thanks for the reminder.
HUH? WHAT? DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?
Why does that car have to be so LOUD!
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67 Beetle - The Deuce Roadster of Cal Look
lawrence
Hero Member
Posts: 732
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #13 on:
February 14, 2008, 01:48:58 am »
Jim, I have Michelin X 205/70s on the rear of my beetle and always noticed that it does the exact thing that you describe. My 6 and 3.5 inch width ercos will soon be swapped for 5.5 inch width torkers and I plan on running 195/65s in the rear which I hope will give me some needed stability.
I have my eye on these tires. H rated, nice load rating and resonably priced. I plan on running 175/65s in the front.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ContiProContact&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=965HR5CPC&fromCompare1=yes&place=2
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"Happiness is a Hot VW!"
louisb
Hero Member
Posts: 3274
Runs with Scissors
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #14 on:
February 14, 2008, 02:57:00 am »
Jim,
Check out BFG comp or sport T/As. Another good option might be Yokos. I have also been hearing good things about Kuhmos as well.
--louis
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Louis Brooks
The Beatings Will Continue Until Moral Improves!
ESH
Hero Member
Posts: 2006
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #15 on:
February 14, 2008, 10:13:52 am »
I think Max Morley ran the 195 Pirellis on the rear of his car and though I thought they didn't look quite as good as the 205's the car seemed to handle a lot better than mine did on 205s. This is not to say it was 'on rails' as such but it was sharper on bends.
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alex d
Hero Member
Posts: 1033
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #16 on:
February 14, 2008, 10:55:18 am »
I run 195/65 Dunlops (I don't recall the exact model) and while the sidewalls look a bid budged (could use a wider rim probably), they don't seem to flex too much
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BeetleBug
Hero Member
Posts: 2836
Snabba grabben...
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #17 on:
February 14, 2008, 11:07:53 am »
Jim, I have Bridgestones B390 195/65 R15 91V JZ mounted on my cookies. They are quite cheap and I think they look ok because they are not very modern looking. They are also made for light trucks and "heavy" cars.
«
Last Edit: February 14, 2008, 11:36:17 am by BeetleBug
»
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10.41 - 100ci - 1641ccm - 400hp
Felix/DFL
Sr. Member
Posts: 386
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #18 on:
February 14, 2008, 19:56:33 pm »
those bidgestone bricks are the exactly the one`s I have now installed. They behave very well and as said don`t look to modern.
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/158490.jpg
BUT as I have now got an 4,375 gearbox (before 4,125) I need a bigger brick in the rear. The "AUTOBAHN"
speed is just to low to eat some km`s.
Maybe I will go for 195/70 (as I know they are only made for light trucks) if the 205/65 behave so ugly as it looks like.
Best greetings...
Logged
nicolas
Hero Member
Posts: 4006
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #19 on:
February 14, 2008, 20:23:44 pm »
jim, i am sorry to burst your bubble, but if you don't want to dragrace and improve 60ft times, why not opt for the 'sensible' solution?
get rid off those flat4BRM's and buy some 18inch BRMs insted. lowprofile tires (something like a Subaru WRX sti tire) grips good and wont wobble.
Logged
louisb
Hero Member
Posts: 3274
Runs with Scissors
Re: stiffer sidewalls?
«
Reply #20 on:
February 14, 2008, 20:29:36 pm »
Quote from: nicolas on February 14, 2008, 20:23:44 pm
jim, i am sorry to burst your bubble, but if you don't want to dragrace and improve 60ft times, why not opt for the 'sensible' solution?
get rid off those flat4BRM's and buy some 18inch BRMs insted. lowprofile tires (something like a Subaru WRX sti tire) grips good and wont wobble.
Or a set of 17' or 18' Porsche rims.
--louis
Logged
Louis Brooks
The Beatings Will Continue Until Moral Improves!
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