original tire sizes Options

[timofly]

Anybody have a source for the original tire sizes for 4 cyl cars? I think they were 165/80R15. The only product that seems to be available is from Nankang, model CX-668. Anyone have experience with these?

Thanks

[tod914]

Tim, there's a whole section on this in the Originality forum.

[timofly]

Tim, there's a whole section on this in the Originality forum.

Yup, I saw it but I've never heard of Nankang tires and I really wanted to see if anyone had experience with them. Eurotire is quoting Vredsteins at $142 each mounted/balanced, etc. The Nankangs are $68 plus shipping on Discount Tire Direct.

If a deal sounds too good to be true....

[Tom_T]

Tim, there's a whole section on this in the Originality forum.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) ... go here: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=74857

... and then since you have a 2.0 - go to the topic here in the Garage & weigh in on how may Dunlop SP57 in 165HR15's you'd like to buy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=115150&st=

In a pinch, you can use 165SR15 or 165/80R15 TR tires by Vredestein in SR & HR, Michelin XWX (SR), Bridgestone (TR), & Kumho makes a nice one in SR that a lot of the 356 guys like & it's about $70 IIRC.

As you'll read, your 2.0 factory spec is for a 165HR15 (165/80R15 HR) which is good up to about 139 mph sustained, whereas the 1.7/1.8 spec'd a 165SR15 (& 155SR15 on early 70-72 1.7s) good up to about 115 mph. The TR rated ones are good up to about 118 mph, so they can pass & the 356 & 912 guys use them too.

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[Tom_T]

Tim, there's a whole section on this in the Originality forum.

Yup, I saw it but I've never heard of Nankang tires and I really wanted to see if anyone had experience with them. Eurotire is quoting Vredsteins at $142 each mounted/balanced, etc. The Nankangs are $68 plus shipping on Discount Tire Direct.

If a deal sounds too good to be true....

Tim - IMHO the Kunho 165SR15s are the better tire in the low cost range, & IIRC Tire Rack carries them. About the same price ($60-70 IIRC), but check around for somebody to mount them who won't F-up the alloys when mounting them! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Vreds should be about $105-107 at most sources for the 165HR15 Sport+ plus mounting/etc., but I hear that they're rather soft in the sidewalls.

IIRC Tod914 got a set of those on his red 2.0 - so maybe he can weigh in on how they drive? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
... that is - IF you ever drive that CW Beauty Queen Tod! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Tim - these are FYI ... http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/search?sea...p;x=47&y=19

.... but Lucas Tires here in the USA is the Longstone affilliate & they can ship from their OH location to you in NJ & I'd been told by their Long Beach CA guy that they can order just about anything on the Longstone site -
http://www.lucasclassictires.com/index.html

Performance Plus has a good selection -
http://www.performanceplustire.com/product...izeShort=165-15

Universal & Coker are other sources for these vintage tire sizes.

BTW - the 165TR15 Bridgestone is now marketed as a Firestone I think.
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/165TR...one%20F560.html

Also note that the Michelin XAS is a tube type tire & the 5.5x15 J wheels (steel & alloys) are tubeless type rims, so there may be a problem mounting them with tube pinching in the rims/tires since the tube type tires don't seat as well in the rims. Check with your selected tire mounting guy about this first, before you pop big bucks for them.

Hope this helps!

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[timofly]

Tom,

Thanks! I'll check all that out.

Tim