• From: Jackson, Mississippi
  • Registered: 2009-05-08
  • Posts: 45

Topic: Tire sizes

Our car currently wears 205/40R16s. It is an '86 VW GTI that was lowered by the previous owner. This particular size isn't as widely available as we would like. (Dunlop Direzza Z1s only come in 205/55R16 and 225/50R16) What other sizes would work without requiring suspension geometry changes? We don't care about speedometer readings or any other trivial issues. Just for reference, the rear tires are fully inflated in this picture but the front tires are around 10psi.

I don't know if the struts are stock or not. They look pretty old and nasty. The springs are black and not as dirty as the struts, so I'm guessing they are aftermarket. The swaybars are Neuspeed so I'm guessing the springs are from Neuspeed too. Yes, the previous owner put all of this on there. I wish I knew enough to cheat but I'm just a law student. I guess that means I know how to cheat, but only with subjects that I know about.

http://i.imgur.com/6T8Xb.jpg

  • From: Davis, Ca
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 1,843

Re: Tire sizes

Size doesn't matter

Gosh, my business card says 'Tech Tyrant'
  • From: Gilbertsville, PA
  • Registered: 2009-12-22
  • Posts: 3,251

Re: Tire sizes

Evil Genius wrote:

Size doesn't matter

That's not what she said.

Silent But Deadly Racing-  Ricky Bobby's Laughing Clown Malt Liquor Thunderbird , Datsun 510, 87 Mustang (The Race Team Formerly Known as Prince), 72 Pinto Squire waggy, Parnelli Jones 67 Galaxie, Turbo Coupe Surf wagon.(The Surfin Bird), Squatting Dogs In Tracksuits,  Space Pants!  Roy Fuckin Kent and The tribute to a tribute to a tribute THUNDERBIRD/ SUNDAHBADOH!
  • Mulry
  • Mulry
  • Ayatollah of Rock-n-Rollah
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  • From: Dallas, TX
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 4,607

Re: Tire sizes

The new Falken Azenis 615K comes in a 205/40r16 if you're looking for a same size replacement. Or you could probably use that 225/50r16 in the Direzza without screwing too much up, the overall diameter is probably pretty similar to your existing tire. Take a look at this site and you can figure out how to calculate and compare the two sizes:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ … p?techid=7

Pat Mulry, TARP Racing #67

Mandatory disclaimer: all opinions expressed are mine alone & not those of 24HOL, its mgmt, sponsors, etc.
  • sergio
  • Lemons Staff Stalker
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  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 1,185

Re: Tire sizes

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalcul … ion=submit

225/50 is too tall.

6 Reply by rickerbr (edited by rickerbr 2010-07-22 08:16 AM)

  • From: Lewisville TX
  • Registered: 2010-03-28
  • Posts: 41

Re: Tire sizes

That car came stock with 185/60/14s. IMNSHO 16s are too big for an A1/A2 VW. Likely that wheel and tire combo is 10+ lbs heavier per corner (unsprung) than stock. Taller tires than stock lowers the overall gear ratio, which is not something you really want given that at best you've got 100 ft-lbs of torque (EDIT 205/60/16 is 1.5% shorter than stock, so you are good there). If it were me (but I've got a crap load of VW/Audi 14" wheels) I'd try to find a set of 15s and run 205/50/15s either in Azenis' or Star Specs. I suspect you'll rub on a track with Neuspeed (or other) "sport" springs and tires that big....


Also, that car has a post-90 "big" front bumper. You might be able to sell the front bumper and the round headlight rad support for some money (but of course you'll need to find another A2 donor for a rad support and bumper).

Unpimp Ze Lemon
1988 VW Scirocco
2010 North Dallas Hooptie 18th, Yee Haw, It's Lemons Texas 61st

rickerbr's Website

7 Reply by Duncan345 (edited by Duncan345 2010-07-22 08:28 AM)

  • From: Jackson, Mississippi
  • Registered: 2009-05-08
  • Posts: 45

Re: Tire sizes

It has the big bumper, but it was mounted with drywall screws. Maybe someone will want it but it isn't exactly in good shape. The rad support is trashed. You can see the messed up rad support and the drywall screws in the pic below.

We might sell the wheels and downsize. Thanks for the advice!

http://i.imgur.com/3d9a4.jpg

8 Reply by rickerbr (edited by rickerbr 2010-07-22 08:35 AM)

  • From: Lewisville TX
  • Registered: 2010-03-28
  • Posts: 41

Re: Tire sizes

Duncan345 wrote:

We might sell the wheels and downsize. Thanks for the advice!

Keep in mind wheels and tires (and brakes) don't count towards the $500 budget. Bolt pattern for pre-99 4 cyl vdubs is 4x100mm with a 57mm hub center. You can use Honda and other wheels, but you have to hone the centers out.

Unpimp Ze Lemon
1988 VW Scirocco
2010 North Dallas Hooptie 18th, Yee Haw, It's Lemons Texas 61st

rickerbr's Website

  • From: Jackson, Mississippi
  • Registered: 2009-05-08
  • Posts: 45

Re: Tire sizes

I found a set of 15x7 Enkei RPF1s on tirerack.com. They are 4x100 but I don't know about the hub center. It says the offset is +35mm. Will that fit?

10 Reply by rickerbr (edited by rickerbr 2010-07-22 10:01 AM)

  • From: Lewisville TX
  • Registered: 2010-03-28
  • Posts: 41

Re: Tire sizes

It should, a 7 inch wide tire with a 35mm offset will result in the inside of the rim being 0.37" closer to the suspension/strut than stock.

Here's the specs on what 4x100 15" were available from VW, this will give you an idea what widths and offsets will work -

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/whee … -4x100.htm

Unpimp Ze Lemon
1988 VW Scirocco
2010 North Dallas Hooptie 18th, Yee Haw, It's Lemons Texas 61st

rickerbr's Website

  • From: Hayward, CA
  • Registered: 2010-03-23
  • Posts: 1,762

Re: Tire sizes

Get some 14" or 15" and your car will accelerate faster off the corners. You'll loose a little maximum speed, but most tracks have short straights so you'll never hit the max speed of the car anyway.

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?Everyone who has ever built anywhere a 'new heaven' first found the power thereto in his own hell- Frederick Nietzsche

12 Reply by ProDarwin (edited by ProDarwin 2010-07-24 09:19 AM)

  • From: Northern VA
  • Registered: 2009-11-28
  • Posts: 35

Re: Tire sizes

Z1s come in 205/50-16

Also, Saturns have a 57.1mm hub bore... so Saturn alloys will work for you as well.

  • Registered: 2010-06-08
  • Posts: 55

Re: Tire sizes

i've got some hot pink steelies for a saturn sl2 lying around and are 14X5-ish if i recall correctly, if you're interested