I ruined my tyre order! help

[Pistacchio sprint 72]

Ok bad day today.

My tyres were purchased back in 2007. I thought it was time to change.

I wanted to buy 155/80/R13 but I thumbled and ordered instead 165 /80 /R13

The car is on steel rims. Front adjustable TTR shocks, Koni at the rear with fast road lower shocks ( but the standard width, not the narrower one).

I try to cancel and modify my order but we re sunday and I will have to sleep on it untill monday...

Just so I know, if I don't succeed to modify my order, what will it change to run the sprint on 165 tyres when they should have been 155?

Thanks

[msd1107]

Nothing.

I upgraded to 165-13 tyres and 5.5" rims quite early on. Along with 27/32 psi tyre pressures, they make a noticeable difference in the precision of the handling as well as cutting the revs slightly on the freeway.

Your speedometer will read a couple of mph slow, and the odometer will be a few percent slow, but you can get a different speedometer drive gear for the transmission.

This answer is for S4 and Sprint cars. S1-S3 may have clearance issues.

David

1968 36/7988

[Pistacchio sprint 72]

Ok then good. Less stressed by Now!
My rims are the orignal one, they should be able to accept the 165?mmmh?

[msd1107]

4.5" rims will "accept" 165-13 tyres. According to modern industry recommendations, 4.5" rims are too narrow for even 155-13 tyres. You will need to adjust tyre pressure down from the optimum figures for 5.5" rims for best tyre wear, and the handling and steering will not be as precise. Lotus handling is of a high enough standard that you may be able to live with the non-optimum combination. Remember, the original Elan came with smaller 5.2-13 or 145-13 tyres, for which 4.5" rims were considered adequate. +2 wheels come up from time to time, or you could go after market.

David
1968 36/7988

[Pistacchio sprint 72]

Let?s hope i manage to modifs my order before it get shipped...

[Galwaylotus]

4.5" rims will "accept" 165-13 tyres. According to modern industry recommendations, 4.5" rims are too narrow for even 155-13 tyres. You will need to adjust tyre pressure down from the optimum figures for 5.5" rims for best tyre wear, and the handling and steering will not be as precise. Lotus handling is of a high enough standard that you may be able to live with the non-optimum combination. Remember, the original Elan came with smaller 5.2-13 or 145-13 tyres, for which 4.5" rims were considered adequate. +2 wheels come up from time to time, or you could go after market.

David
1968 36/7988

Uniroyal's Technical Data disagrees. The recommended rim width for 155/80 R 13 and for 165/80 R 13 tyres is 4.50. Minimum permitted width is 4.00 and maximum 5.00 (5.50 max for 165/80 R 13). Uniroyal, a division of Continental states, "The technical data and other details on tyres and accessories have been compiled to reflect as exactly and completely as possible the current state of development and are based on ERTO, ISO and WdK/DIN standards."

[nomad]

I have 165/80 13 tires on a Sprite and I don't think you will like them. The Sprite has 4" rims and the combo makes for a very "squirrelly" [technical term!] handleing car.
I fitted these to replace older tires of the same size that handled just fine but the tires that are being made today have sidewall's about as stiff as inner tubes used to be!

Kurt

26/3754

[msd1107]

The question of appropriate wheel width is a complicated subject and is subject to intended usage and other considerations. For instance, a passenger car seeking a compliant ride will specify a narrower wheel width and lower tyre pressures. Conversely, a performance car will specify a wider wheel width and higher tyre pressures. Different manufacturers may have their own ideas, and standards committees (in case you have never been on one - and do not be on one unless forced) have very complex dynamics behind any decision or recommendation.

When the Elan was introduced, a 145-13 tyre together with the light weight of the Elan had recommended widths of 4-5", so the 4.5" width was certainly considered acceptable. The +2 resulted in the usage of the 5.5" wheel, which had to have had a major discussion within Lotus due to cost and weight considerations. The recommended wheel width of 165-13 tyres is 4.5-6, so the +2 wheel is on the within the range.

The wheel wells of the original Elan were well optimized around 145-13 and 4.5" tyres and wheels. It is well documented that owners start to run into interference issues with larger sizes, so that is an inducement to stay with the 4.5" wheel. The S4 had revised wheel wells to accommodate larger tyres.

How many owners have had the chance to compare their cars with 145-13, 155-13, 165-13, 175/70-13, 185/70-13, and 185/60-13 tyres and 4.5" and 5.5" (and wider) wheels to determine the differences? And how many care?

I think the original question was if 165-13 tyres could be used instead of 155-13 if forced to. As usual, once we get off of a standard configuration, many other considerations rear their ugly head.

David
1968 36/7988