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Nope, not in Portland -- just used Willamette Wheel because they know the correct specs for a Sonett (courtesy Jack A.) and because I figured they'd do a good job, which they did.
This whole tire thing seems to be a major can o' worms, so I'll summarize what I've been finding out (or THINK I've found out) so far and maybe others can chime in...
-- Performance vs. speed ratings: I'm not really worried about the letter ratings because these only designate the tire's sustained high-speed capability. Even H-rated tires (130mph) are a lot more than I need, because a stock Sonett III will redline at just under 100mph (about 1.82mph per 100 RPM) so even to get up to 130mph I'd have to upgrade the engine to withstand a 7150rpm redline. And that's with the standard, large-diameter 165 tires!... even going to 185-65s, which are only slightly smaller in diameter, I'd only be able to reach about 95mph at the stock engine's 5500rpm redline. And I gotta think that's about enough!... unless I start going to track days, and even then it's gonna take a pretty long straightaway to give me enough room to wind it out all the way. So, while this may be an issue for others with high-performance engines and/or nonstock gear ratios, I'm more worried about adhesion, turn-in, etc. than speed ratings.
-- What sizes: I've tried 195-60s on the 6-inch wheels, and they will (just) work ON THE FRONT. The fender lip does rub on the tire sidewall in hard cornering and/or if you hit a bump at full lock -- smells bad, but so far no damage! A 195 tire with a bit skinnier tread width (different from section width) might help, but I don't know how to determine this except by trial and error, which would involve buying a lot more tires than I can afford! On the back, the 195-60s on 6-inch wheels just barely fit under the wheel arches... until I get into the car, which pushes the body down just enough that they rub on the inside (and I'm not all THAT fat!) Garage-floor measurements of the tires I've got on hand suggest that the particular 185-65s I've got are about a full inch narrower overall than the 195-60s, so I'm pretty sure these are going to work on the back -- although won't know for SURELY sure until I run 'em on the car, I guess!
The clearances are so tight that the specific tire's measurements (other than just section width) seem to make a difference, and that may be why Jack can run 185-60s on the rear while I can't (even though Willamette told me they made my wheels to the same specs as his.) Also, I think he has a Sonett V4 while I've got a III... wonder if the fiberglass is different enough to make more room on the V4. ALSO also, Chris M. and others have pointed out that if the center mount on your rear axle tube has gotten a bit sloppy, there can be enough play to create more clearance on one side than the other; I've measured mine and it's OK, but thought I'd mention it for others pondering the tire situation.
-- Alternatives: If 5-1/2" rims would help, I'd think it would be easier to get Willamette or someone else to make up a set of steel ones rather than go to all the trouble of switching hubs (although the wheels wouldn't look as cool as alloys, of course!)
-- WHAT IRKS ME is that there's GOT to be a wider choice of performance tires in sizes that will fit than we can get from the usual suppliers such as Tire Rack. F'rinstance, the Brits are loopy about their leaky old crock cars and happily flog them in track days, vintage race series, 'autotest' (autocross) etc. -- so I'd think they've gotta have sources of performance-type tires for them, probably Avon, Dunlop, etc. In fact, if you go to the http://www.dunloptyres.com website, you'll see that they have a whole 'Classic Range' of 'tyres' including SP4 radials in 155SR15 (original stock Sonett size) and SP Sport in 185HR15 (probably would be good for my 6" wheels) BUT THEY'RE DISTRIBUTED IN THE UK ONLY!
Would be interested in hearing any wisdom from those who have solved this problem before. No, Yoko AVS Intermediates are no longer available in 185, as best I've been able to determine...
posted by 68.13.18...
, Thu, 28 Feb 2002 10:05:46
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