Tire sizes, Buying new tires Options

[pek771]

Hi all:: I am going to the tire store tomorrow to get my wheels back from having the beater tires removed. The 185/60R15 were good enough to transport the car here from Arizona. These are EMPI 8 spoke, 5.5 W x 15 diameter. Wheels are 4 X 130, I suppose. The car is a 70, no flares, just plain old 4 cylinder config. I am putting a Hyper9 motor in it, and I expect it to come out of corners like a rocket.

What size tires can I fit in the stock wheel wells? The selection is very limited in 195/60R15. But, I can get Hoosiers in 205/50R15. Do the 205 fit? I live in Florida, and will drive the car very infrequently, so I don't care if it has DOT-R tires on it.Nor do I care of speedometer inaccuracies.

Thanks!
Pat

[pek771]

Thanks. I had Hoosiers on the old 914 racer. They worked well. But, they are indeed a bit wider than a comparative street car size tire. Hoosier only has them in 205/50R15 in the A7R7 compounds. I would ideally like some sort of tires like my old Kuhmo Victoracers.

The EMPI wheels are 5.5". I have sone old American Racing wheels which are 7" wide. I have to test the fits. I forgot the name of the American Racing wheels, but they are supposed to use some sort of funky lug bolts. I bought a 60 degree countersink to machine these wheels to accept 14 mm 60 degree lug bolts, which are readily available (the funky lug bolts, with the washers, are like hens teeth).

In this instance, I care only about grip. I want enough grip to twist my axles off. The Hyper 9 electric motor should be a torque monster. BTW, 914 box, open differential, been rebuilt. Was A-F-M-S-X. I removed the X 5th gear, and put in a stock ZD 5th, so maybe I can squeeze more range out.