Calculating speed with larger rims
Calculating speed with larger rims
Author
Discussion

madmike

Original Poster:

2,372 posts

290 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
There's been a couple wheel threads (like solar's) regarding switching to larger rims.

I've got the 17F 18R setup, and I was wondering if any of you brainiac types know how I can calculate what the difference is between my speedo reading and actual speed.

???

Mike

davidy

4,492 posts

308 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
You need to work out the circumference of your new rear wheels and the old ones. The ratio (% difference) between the two will be the multiplier that you need to apply.

Remember on a low profile tyre the height of the tyre is the percentage of the profile multiplied by the width. ie 205/60 tyre = 123mm high.

The end result will give you the difference between your two setups, however it won't tell you if your speedo was accurate, as it probably wasn't anyway.

If you sit down with the gear ratios and the final drive ratio, then with the above figures you can work out the mpg per 1000rpm. You rev counter is likely to be more accurate than your speedo (but not necessarily so!)

This isn't the be all and end all as for full accuracy you will need to take into tyre inflation, account tread depth and tyre growth (which happens with high speed running)

But at least its a start.

davidy

dictys

914 posts

282 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
Connect up a GPS unit, find a long straight drive a steady speed, match up GPS reading with Speedo, hey presto!

Depending on GPS unit update speed and how many satillite locks this should be quite accurate, a differential GPS would be more so.

kenyon

1,269 posts

281 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
Goto this website, its great to calculate the tyres sizes

www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi

karmavore

696 posts

279 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
This one is VERY cool.

www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

madmike

Original Poster:

2,372 posts

290 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
Fantastic...you folks are wizards with the links.

Now, can anyone tell me what the stock tires were for the US 93 Esprit SE so I can input the correct starting numbers?

dictys

914 posts

282 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
Front tyres: Goodyear Eagle 215/50 ZR 15
Rear tyres: Goodyear Eagle 245/50 ZR 16
Spare tyre: 175/70 R 14

I think these are US as well, please correct me if I'm wrong.

madmike

Original Poster:

2,372 posts

290 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
The brainpower online today is amazing. Anyone care to take a go at gene sequencing next?

OK, then, thanks for the tire sizes...now, is the speedo connected to the fronts or rears ( imagine it's the rears...)

Mike

karmavore

696 posts

279 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
Get yourself a brick and try jacking up each end to find out.

whoops... there goes my brain power...

Luke.

davidy

4,492 posts

308 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
Could be a drive from the gearbox ??

davidy

PS never had a Lotus though!!

lotusguy

1,798 posts

281 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
Hi,

Why not just take it to a speedo shop and have them recalibrate the speedo for usually under $75? Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

kmaier

490 posts

294 months

Wednesday 18th June 2003
quotequote all
Okay.... here's one more:

www.quaifeamerica.com/downloads/download.htm

Regards, KM
2000 V8