tire choices in the U.S. States?

[chicagojeff]

Does anyone have a good tire recommendation in the US, other than the Bridgestone RE92 Potenzas? I went looking through the archives, and didn't see anything other than my old post of a couple of years ago.

The RE92s are pretty hard. Cheap, but not particularly sticky. Given that I don't put on that much mileage, a softer rubber would be fine and better for the track. This would be for stock steel 13 inch wheels or on Panasports. Thanks!

Jeff

[msd1107]

Hi Jeff,

Lot's of questions here.

Of what tire size are you thinking? 155-13, 165-13, 175/70-13, 185/60-13 or other.

What is your differential ratio and peak RPM. A relatively standard Elan with 155-13, 3.77, and 6500 can get by with S rated tires. Larger tires, higher diff, and higher RPM need H rated tires. And if you are running 165-13 with 3.55 and over 7000 you need VR rated. Note that SR tend to have the lowest performance, VR the highest performance.

I have a spreadsheet with all the tire info in it so you can model the final result without purchasing several sets of tires. It also has clickable links to various tire retailers so you can get a quick handle on the possibilities. Email me at david_harralson at hotmail.com to request a copy.

And finally, options for 13 inch tires are dwindling. You are rapidly being limited to passenger car tires with low performance and high tread wear ratings or a very limited selection of DOT racing tires that might be marginal on the street.

I have gone through at least three generations of high performance rubber that were discontinued.

Note that Spyder sells 14 inch wheels in knock on and bolt on configuration. However, the supply of high performance rubber here in the States for that wheel size is just about as much limited.

I have given consideration to converting back to bolt on hubs, use light weight 15 inch wheels, and get access to modern high performance rubber. Others in the community think that is crazy, though.

One problem is that tire menufacturers are not designing tires for 1500 lb cars like our Elan, but instead are designing for 3000 lb cars.

Good luck, and I am sure that others will weigh in on this topic. I know a few people who recently have purchased tires, and are satisfied with them. It would take a bit of effort to search the archives for these tidbits because the posting were sprinkled around different subject areas.

David
1968 36/7988

[264889socal]

I just fitted some Sumitomo HTR 200 175/70-13's from Tire Rack to my S2. Very tight fit but haven't noticed any rubbing as of yet. The fronts are real close to the back edge at the front of the wheel well opening. The rears seem to have more clearance. They will get their first real test in a couple of weeks on the No Frils Iron Bottom Motoring Tour. I still need some sort of jack to raise the car before I leave. Any suggestions on a replacement jack?

Rob

[mopho]

I would like to see that spreadsheet.
I have been looking for a few months now, as I need something a little more performance orientated than the RE92's, (The RE92's were quite nice as road tire on stock hp, but my car is going to be 160+hp in next few weeks, so I am not sure they are up to the task) and I have found nothing that will fit an S3 or earlier Elan without fender flares, even with small spring perches.

The Yokohama A032's that came in a 175/65/13's are discontinued in 13" and I don't think they would have fit an S3 or earlier car anyway.

I have found these, but not sure they would fit as 175/50/13



http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/TYRE1 ... Detail.cfm

I have also looked at Japan as a source and found these Yoko AD07



http://www.yokohamatire.jp/yrc/japan/si ... ND_CD=AD07

They are the standard tires on the Elise and are pretty nice and they list a 165/60/13 (which are the same as the RE92's) and a 155/60/13


These A038 are listed as coming in 155/65/13



http://www.yokohamatire.jp/yrc/japan/si ... ND_CD=A038

and these A048's are listed as coming in a 175/50/13 and 175/60/13 (not sure these would fit either)



http://www.yokohamatire.jp/yrc/japan/si ... ND_CD=A048

Not sure how one would get these tires, or how much they are. I go over to Japan ever year and though of trying to find them and just throw them on plane with me (if possible)

Maybe Tire Rack can special order them?

Some argue that sticky tires are not good on the Elan as they can over stress parts not designed for that kind of grip or that it spoils the handling. I can't attest to that, The RE92's are the only tires I've had on my Elan, so I have not enough experience. But I definitely want some tires that are better up to the new found power of my car

[mopho]

I just fitted some Sumitomo HTR 200 175/70-13's from Tire Rack to my S2. Very tight fit but haven't noticed any rubbing as of yet. The fronts are real close to the back edge at the front of the wheel well opening. The rears seem to have more clearance. They will get their first real test in a couple of weeks on the No Frils Iron Bottom Motoring Tour. I still need some sort of jack to raise the car before I leave. Any suggestions on a replacement jack?

Rob

I forgot about those in my above list. Do I remember you saying that your car had mild fender flares though?

[garyeanderson]

Hi Rob

I use a junkyard sizzors jack and I carry a foot and a half long 4 x 4 with a bevel on the end and drive the flat tire onto it. Without the 4 x 4 I can't get the jack under the car with the flat 175/50x13 tire sitting on the rim. I'll probably try the Sumitomo HTR 200 tires next as they appear to be the only 13s left, I just dont know if the will be 175/50 or 175/70, if I go with the 70 series it will be like a 10% overdrive for my Elan. please do let us know how the 70 series work out on your S2

[264889socal]

Gary,

Thanks for the suggestion on the jack. Thought about one for a Miata, thinking it may be the smallest one out there in numbers.

The only negative I have so far is the amount of steering input now required as compared to the 185'55-13 P7's I took off the car. Seems like the steering go a lot heavier and less responsive.

The NFIBMT is a 1k mile jaunt through the back roads of Central California over three days. After I get home on the 14th, Sunday is the British Car tour throughout San Diego County. Trying to tie up the loose ends as those 4 days should shake out any problems or leave me stranded. Our first of the season local cruise night starts this Friday and the Good Guys Hot Rod Show in Del Mar is also this weekend. Car season is starting.

Rob

[mopho]

Car season is starting.

When did it stop?

[steveww]

The Michelin XAS FF is available in 155x80x13 and is H rated (130mph). This tyre has a soft and sticky compound and stiff side walls, giving great grip but maintaining the Elan's neutral handling.

On this side of the pond you can get them from http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/ and I am sure a Michelin competition tyre dealer would be able to get them in the USA.

More details from Michelin http://www.michelinsport.com/sport/fron ... 00&lang=EN

[msd1107]

The XAS is also available in 165-13 (and 185-13!) for those who want the larger rolling diameter of the 165 tires (887 rev/mile vs 912 rev/mile for the 155-13).

For a 3.77 at 6500, this is the difference between 117 MPH and 113.

Or, in other terms, 3300 RPM vs 3400 at 60 mph.

Not much, but noticable.

Longstone tires claims to deliver in the US

http://www.longstonetires.com/review.ph ... radial.php

David

[garyeanderson]

Hi Steve
I wouldn't support a company that pulls out of the U.S. Gran Prix on the parade lap to leave all of the fans holding the empty bag.

Gary

***Vote with you wallet***

[Bill]

Gents

I went thru this a couple of years back for 26/0538. The 30 year old Michelins were hard with age.
My local tire dealer searched his scources and found that Pirelli had 13" available but that they were not catalouged. They were offered to me on a return them if not suitable basis and stocked in western Canada (eh)!

Pirelli P 2500 Euro 155/80 79T M+S

They are fitted to Cosmic rims with no clearance issues, I find them to be very compatible to the suspension, sticky enough as the origional Dunlop SP's were.

I am happy as hell with em, Handling characteristics similar to when I first got the car back in '63.

I don't hill climb any more - stricktly country road driving.

I will check avaiability here in British Columbia as I need another set for the S2 I have in works and report back.

Keep your stick on the ice!!

Bill

[oldokie]

I haven't had my Elan out for a bit, but it has 205/60-13's on steel K/Os. I had my centers mounted to 7"rims retaining the stock inner offset. With modest flairs I have no tire rub. I intend to have 15"s (or maybe even 16"s) made when I get the car all back together. I want a 22.5 to 23" diameter, and I'm sure the Dunlop SP's are no longer available. There are so many wheel makers around here that they'll do anything if you have the spec's!

[scott]

I bought some ao32r yokos out of Canada, but the sidewalls were so stiff that I couldn't find anyone that could mount them on my 5.5in Lotus wheels. Just had some sumitomo's delivered from Tire Rack today. Same as Robs. Scott

[mopho]

I bought some ao32r yokos out of Canada, but the sidewalls were so stiff that I couldn't find anyone that could mount them on my 5.5in Lotus wheels.

Did you thaw them out first?