Tam 18" tyre size

[Don1]

Hi all,
Having some trouble with my Tam - I want to run trackday - spec tyres, but cannot find anything that actually fit in the arches.

The correct size is 235 35 18, but I'm really struggling to find ANY tire in this size. For you lot out there running 18" - what size tyres do you have?

Cheers!

[rico23]

Aren't the correct fronts 225 35 18 and rears 235 40 18? If you want to run track day tyres like the R888 (which I use) you'll have to buy 225 40 18 for the fronts as you can't get these sort of tyres in 225 35 18 which is an unusual size. I then upgraded the rears from 235 to 245 40 18.

I've never had rubbing issues from the front profile increase but others have. It will really depend on the ride height you run on the car and the shocks you have.

Edited by rico23 on Sunday 7th April 08:24

[T66ORA]

A lot of Tam owners run 255/35 rears, i`m on my second set, no problems with rubbing at all, they lower the ride height very slightly and lower the gearing slightly also. As for the fronts 225/35 is the factory fit, changing to 40 profile could? in a track environment rub.
IMO 16s are the way to go on the track.
John (TVR-Owner) might be along shortly, he has a lot of experience on the track.

[Don1]

I've got 235 40 18 on the front and they rub when static - as said I can't get 235 35 18. So it's possible to run a 225 35 18 on the front? Hmmmm....

[T66ORA]

Don1 said:

I've got 235 40 18 on the front and they rub when static - as said I can't get 235 35 18. So it's possible to run a 225 35 18 on the front? Hmmmm....

225 35 front will be fine Don, my Tam appears to be unusually low on the front(i.e having to lift the car up to get the Anderson leads in!!)No rubbing and in the 7 years of ownership i find 20 psi the best front tyre pressure.

[shep1001]

Don1 said:

I've got 235 40 18 on the front and they rub when static - as said I can't get 235 35 18. So it's possible to run a 225 35 18 on the front? Hmmmm....

I have 225/35/18 on the front of mine and there is no rubbing. Part of the problem I think is the headlight access panels if you don't put them back on in the exact position they came off, the bulbous bit can rub on the tyre on full lock

[Don1]

What actual brand of tyres are you using please?

[shep1001]

Don1 said:

What actual brand of tyres are you using please?

Had Toyo then went to Goodyear Eagle F1's when the rears needed changing to keep them the same. Got them from Camskill but I had to wait a while for them, about a week if I recall.

[T66ORA]

Toyo T1R

[UFO MATT]

265/35 !!! Only rubs a little :-) lol

[RedSpike66]

Don, for track you probably want Toyo 888s... I'm toying with either those or R1Rs for the 18" spiders I got recently for the Sag. You might find 225/35/18 are too low profile - probably best with 225/40/18 which is much more common size on sports cars, just TVR like to be different. If they rub which track day tyres can because of their squarer shape, increase ride height a few mm - your car might already be a but lower than standard anyway if it rubs already....

Go for 255/35/18 rears... Shouldn't rub and that extra rubber rear grip will help. That's what I'll most likely go for on the Sag on Spiders...

Let us know what track days you got planned boys ;-)

Edited by RedSpike66 on Sunday 7th April 23:32

[Don1]

Ugh. OK, R888 are not made in this size any more. AD08 don't do that size, nor the Federal RSR or anything else... the closest we think we can get to trackday tyre is the Yoko Parada Spec 2. Just an FYI for everyone.

[rico23]

Don1 said:

Ugh. OK, R888 are not made in this size any more. AD08 don't do that size, nor the Federal RSR or anything else... the closest we think we can get to trackday tyre is the Yoko Parada Spec 2. Just an FYI for everyone.

What about the Toyo R1R? Same compound as the 888.

[Don1]

Not in that size apparently - T1-S is the closest they could do.

[Sevenman]

Don1 said:

Not in that size apparently - T1-S is the closest they could do.

T1-Sport? T1-S preceded the T1-R. I have been running T1-Sport quite happily in the stock sizes for the past year. Obviously won't be as fast on a track as R1Rs, but seem good as an all-round sporty tyre and will be better than R1R in some conditions.

But it was trackday tyres you wanted.

I would be keen to find out if 225/40 worked ok on the front of my Tamora, but am unwilling to find out by spending £300+ on tyres.

Edited by Sevenman on Monday 8th April 21:39

[ninetynine]

225 40 18 toyo 888 worked fine on my tamora

[K4TRV]

In the TVR Speed Champs, Sprinting & Speed Hillclimbs - Jazz Blue Tam.

I am running 235/40/18 Toyo 888's fronts ("Grazes" the light cover, when manoeuvering) - lowered ride height with Racing Reds and 500 Lb springs.

Rears are 255/35/18 Toyo 888's, not too low as can touch top wheel arch on full bump, racing reds with 325 Lbs (lots of grip with softer rear!).

HTH's ??

Trev

[leerdam23]

You could try getting 16 inch rims, that would give you more tyre choices...

[Don1]

Cheers all, hopefully picking it up with 225 35 18 Parada Spec 2's on the front (the AD08's fit on the back thankfully).

As soon as it's dry, I'll report back...

[SergSC]

Also looking at what I may replace with when the time comes.

was thinking AD08 225/40/18 or goodyear assym2... is this not a safe bet when combined with raising the ride height a couple cm (which I need to do anyway when the nitrons arrive)? or will it rub for other reasons?

cheers
S