Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I have 5 1/2 X 13 Wheels. Any recommendations for a high performance tire for this size rim? Will see a little street use as well.

Thanx

Jerry

I use both Hoosier Street TD 185/60 and Yokohama A032R ( softcompound) 175/60 on 5 1/2 inch wheels under standard S4 bodywork. The Hoosiers despite their profile listing are actually smaller in diameter and about the same width as the Yoko's.

The Hoosiers are a little quicker on a hot dry track especially when new, however they dont age or wear as well and go harder a lot quicker. The Yokos are better on a cold or damp track and their tread actually works in the wet. The Hoosiers are very poor on a wet track especially if a little worn.

My current favored combination is a worn set of Yoko's for hot, dry tracks and a new set of Yoko's kept for cold, damp, wet tracks. As they wear I retire the most worn set, the ex wets then become the drys and I buy a new set of wets. This rotation keeps the cost down and get maximum use from each set.


Both tyres are road legal but with the Hoosiers very nominal tread pattern I would not recommend them for road use except when its guarranteed to be dry.

Rohan

I run Michelin XAS FF 155 x 13 on 5 x 13 wheels, which easily fit under standard S4 body work. These tyres are built to the original XAS pattern but with modern construction and the same compound as the Pilot Sport tyres i.e. soft and sticky.

For track use only go for Dunlop 4.5M13. These are treaded but not approved for road use. However I know of a number of people who have used these on the road (when no one is looking )

The Dunlpo Racing CR65 in 4.50 M 13 is a "funny" tire........Somehow, people believe them to be "super-sticky", but in fact they are not.....I run them in our Historic racing series, and quite enjoy their sliding caracteritics. They really encourage you to go sideways, as they are very predictable Effective ; no , but very, very fun......
DH

The CR65 is a crossply tyre which are always more fun than super grippy radials

True!!

I?m planning to change my michelins to something more "sticky" probably Yokahama a032r becuase they are cheap. There is a avon tyre CR6ZZ has anyone tested it or heard something about it ...it would look more right 175/70*13 for the car but it cost nearly twich as much as a032r tyres.

I too use the A32R but in super soft, I think the sidewall is a bit stiff for the light Elan BUT they are only 2 seconds slower than a full slick on a race track with 1 min 12 sec laps. The ACB 10 is the best of the lot and is a X ply tyre and works well, BUT if you lower the car it must not have more than 1 degree negative camber - the Yoko's will live with 2 or degrees no problem. Slick in Avon 6/21X13 fits S4 wheel arches as does the ACB 10 of course. I can comment on compounds if you wish!
Have been wondering about YokoA21R as wet weather race tyre and as a road tyre, and also Maxsprot and Colway intermediate tread road legal 185/60X13 BUT agian I suspect the sidewall might be too stiff.
Richard

I have a Plus 2 with a 150 BHP fast road engine with the knock on 10 spoke alloys, can anyone tell me the best tyres and size for the road and the odd track day?

Thanks

Kev