Current thinking on 13" tires for S1-S2 Elans (2016)

[el-saturn]

i already am old rohan, BUT using almost one set per season of the 539s (and more for the A048 ooooops!!, because i don't like to get my car wet, and its always raining whenever the boys go for their wet sessions!) sandy

[Quart Meg Miles]

Meg,
155 was specified for my 1966 S2 SE and probably for the following S3 SE's.
Bill

I stand corrected, Bill; I was quoting from the Workshop Manual which covers the S4 too.

Sandy, some of us drive standard Elans on public roads at proper Elan speeds and I, personally, haven't found problems with any tyres in the dry. I don't push cars in the wet, there isn't enough margin.

[el-saturn]

i have to follow friends in europes (150hp), sevens 140+, and a roadlegal 23, S O how the hell could i keep up with them: i'd be pealing the tread off! sandy

[rgh0]

"some of us drive standard Elans on public roads at proper Elan speed"

I wonder what Colin Chapman and Jim Clarke would have considered proper Elan speeds
But I know they would have fitted Yoko A-050R for that quick trip back to Duns by Jim if they were available in the day

cheers
Rohan

[el-saturn]

a standard elan couldnt keep up with them, no matter what type of rubber! 36 4982 SSE! made in bristol

[nmauduit]

But I know they would have fitted Yoko A-050R for that quick trip back to Duns by Jim if they were available in the

last I heard from my tire supplier, A050 were not available in Europe in 13" unfortunately (or 14") ...

[rgh0]

But I know they would have fitted Yoko A-050R for that quick trip back to Duns by Jim if they were available in the

last I heard from my tire supplier, A050 were not available in Europe in 13" unfortunately (or 14") ...

Europe has had new noise regulations recently around tyres that have potentially stopped the release of the A 050R and they have kept supply of the A048R to there based on some earlier approval. In Australia you can no longer get the A 048R just the A 050R which appear to perform slightly better on the track.

The current Toyo 888R which was a similalry performing tyre to the A-048R has been replaced in Australia with a new version that meets the European noise regulations and it is slower on the track So Toyo users are moving to Yokos. I have heard rumours that Yoko are working on a new version also to meet the European regs which will probably also be slower

cheers
Rohan

[nmauduit]

But I know they would have fitted Yoko A-050R for that quick trip back to Duns by Jim if they were available in the

last I heard from my tire supplier, A050 were not available in Europe in 13" unfortunately (or 14") ...

Europe has had new noise regulations recently around tyres that have potentially stopped the release of the A 050R and they have kept supply of the A048R to there based on some earlier approval. In Australia you can no longer get the A 048R just the A 050R which appear to perform slightly better on the track.

The current Toyo 888R which was a similalry performing tyre to the A-048R has been replaced in Australia with a new version that meets the European noise regulations and it is slower on the track So Toyo users are moving to Yokos. I have heard rumours that Yoko are working on a new version also to meet the European regs which will probably also be slower

cheers
Rohan

A048 is elan sizes were heavily de stoked here earlier this year, and supply has run out within a 50 km radius just as I was getting a set. I have heard that a Korean sub brand may take over Yokohama's A048 line, possibly by the end of the year, but have not seen any announcement long that line...

Regarding regulations, when I drive on A048, the noise is not coming from the tires...

[nomad]

Like Ross, I'm a simple man....even simpler!

Last 155/80's are Douglas from Walmart. Made in the USA by Cooper I've been told. $28 a pop!! I like them and see only one flaw in them.......they came from Walmart!

Kurt

[Fred Talmadge]

Like Ross, I'm a simple man....even simpler!

Last 155/80's are Douglas from Walmart. Made in the USA by Cooper I've been told. $28 a pop!! I like them and see only one flaw in them.......they came from Walmart!

Kurt

You let those Walmart clowns touch your Elan?

[nomad]

Like Ross, I'm a simple man....even simpler!

Last 155/80's are Douglas from Walmart. Made in the USA by Cooper I've been told. $28 a pop!! I like them and see only one flaw in them.......they came from Walmart!

Kurt

You let those Walmart clowns touch your Elan?

Heavens no!! Purchased for an Sprite and I mounted them myself. [wire wheels]

Kurt.

[Galwaylotus]

................what surprises me: NOBODY mentions a modern tyre which can handle the power of a TC. in my opinion the tyres mentioned are adequate for vehicles for the disabled (i know and love my diabled friends btw!!): 30 to 60hp!!! and not 110 - 160!! i use a539 yokos 175 60 13 and 008s! sandy PS hope to get some critical replies

The standard Elan TC was rated at a 125 bhp or less depending on the model. In the '60s most engines were rated for gross power. Most of today's small to medium sized cars are rated at over 100 bhp net. In addition the Elan has a mass slightly more than half that of a modern small car. The 13-inch tyres from any reputable brand (Continental, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Firestone, Dunlop, etc., etc., etc.) are more than adequate for a normal Elan.

[rgh0]

. The 13-inch tyres from any reputable brand (Continental, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Firestone, Dunlop, etc., etc., etc.) are more than adequate for a normal Elan.

What is "adequate" even for a "normal" Elan is a very personal judgement and will be based on the drivers expectation and judgement with regards the usage and conditions in which that usage occurs.

Most modern 13 inch tyres ( even the cheapest) are far better than what was fitted to Elans in the day so they should be adequate . However expectations have changed dramatically over the last 50 years also so adequacy may not be what it used to be

cheers
Rohan

[Galwaylotus]

Agreed, Rohan. I was referring to the comment about tyres capability of handling the power of a Twin Cam.

[prezoom]

The problem I have with most 13" tires today is, they were designed for go to market lumps. The load carrying capacity of a single tire is almost equal to the total weight of the Elan. Would love to find a nice light weight tire, rather than adding the equivalent of 20 lbs to my flywheel.