New tyres and geo - sizes?
Discussion
As the title says, I need new rubbers and a geo set up. So I thought that I would take the opportunity to think, once again, whether or not it is worth changing the size of the boots.
My main reason for considering this is that it might offer a bit more protection to the edges of the wheel rims and I may get slightly better traction at the rear.
However, I don't want to foul the arches in any way or compromise the handling - I've heard that fatter fronts can cause more tramlining. "Time's is 'ard" at the moment, as they say, so I can't afford to also uprate the shocks and bushes (bloody tyres and insurance renewal will see to that).
Anyone on here got any good advice, or experience of changing sizes?
TIA
My main reason for considering this is that it might offer a bit more protection to the edges of the wheel rims and I may get slightly better traction at the rear.
However, I don't want to foul the arches in any way or compromise the handling - I've heard that fatter fronts can cause more tramlining. "Time's is 'ard" at the moment, as they say, so I can't afford to also uprate the shocks and bushes (bloody tyres and insurance renewal will see to that).
Anyone on here got any good advice, or experience of changing sizes?
TIA
From a few searches on here and from checking out cars with SP12's there seems to be a few who have fitted 255/35x18 rears and 225/40x18 fronts. Whether or not these will work on your car probably depends on what setting /state your spings and shocks are, from you pic your're probably on factory Bilsteins which seem to ride a little higher than the old HB shocks and springs. But I doubt theres a definite answer until you try.
You could check how much clearance you have between top outside shoulder of rear tyres and arch to see if theres leeway for a wider (though smaller diameter) tyre, and for the front check out how much clearance the inner/outer shoulders of the front tyres have at full lock.
This site http://www.rimsntires.com/rt_specs.jsp gives a good comparison between different tyre sizes, but remember its only a guide and often the same size from different manufactures can have different physical sizes when compared.
You could check how much clearance you have between top outside shoulder of rear tyres and arch to see if theres leeway for a wider (though smaller diameter) tyre, and for the front check out how much clearance the inner/outer shoulders of the front tyres have at full lock.
This site http://www.rimsntires.com/rt_specs.jsp gives a good comparison between different tyre sizes, but remember its only a guide and often the same size from different manufactures can have different physical sizes when compared.
T40ORA said:
NOt sure what it's running Jamie, they're still factory fit; would Nitrons have been standard or Billies?
Stick with standard profiles - lots of agro messing about with profiles for very little or no reward. You car may have had billies from the factory it being a late car and all that. If not Billies, it would have been Harvey Bailey.I don`t normally disagree with John,but I have used 255/35x18 on the back of my Tamora for the last 4 years, no problem with clearance/scrubbing, no problem with the Speedo,they lower the ride height by 5mm and they lower the gearing slightly, so in theory, should make it slightly quicker through the gears.You will get slightly better grip, in the dry. Going to 35 profile i was expecting the ride to suffer slightly, but in the end i couldn`t tell any difference.
When i need to replace the rear tyres again i will be buying 255/35s again.
I run standard 225/35`s on the front.
When i need to replace the rear tyres again i will be buying 255/35s again.
I run standard 225/35`s on the front.
willtvr said:
T40ORA said:
More than just geo set up agro John? If I can protect the wheels a bit it would be good, but not if, as you say, it's loads of agro.
Would have thought the best way to protect the rims would be to stay away from kerbs Lee 
T66ORA said:
I don`t normally disagree with John,but I have used 255/35x18 on the back of my Tamora for the last 4 years, no problem with clearance/scrubbing, no problem with the Speedo,they lower the ride height by 5mm and they lower the gearing slightly, so in theory, should make it slightly quicker through the gears.You will get slightly better grip, in the dry. Going to 35 profile i was expecting the ride to suffer slightly, but in the end i couldn`t tell any difference.
When i need to replace the rear tyres again i will be buying 255/35s again.
I run standard 225/35`s on the front.
Seems like you already knew the answer Lee. Take it you had the geo revised last time you fitted the new boots to account for the change in rear ride height.When i need to replace the rear tyres again i will be buying 255/35s again.
I run standard 225/35`s on the front.
TVR_owner said:
T66ORA said:
I don`t normally disagree with John,but I have used 255/35x18 on the back of my Tamora for the last 4 years, no problem with clearance/scrubbing, no problem with the Speedo,they lower the ride height by 5mm and they lower the gearing slightly, so in theory, should make it slightly quicker through the gears.You will get slightly better grip, in the dry. Going to 35 profile i was expecting the ride to suffer slightly, but in the end i couldn`t tell any difference.
When i need to replace the rear tyres again i will be buying 255/35s again.
I run standard 225/35`s on the front.
Seems like you already knew the answer Lee. Take it you had the geo revised last time you fitted the new boots to account for the change in rear ride height.When i need to replace the rear tyres again i will be buying 255/35s again.
I run standard 225/35`s on the front.
T66ORA said:
I don`t normally disagree with John,but I have used 255/35x18 on the back of my Tamora for the last 4 years, no problem with clearance/scrubbing, no problem with the Speedo,they lower the ride height by 5mm and they lower the gearing slightly, so in theory, should make it slightly quicker through the gears.You will get slightly better grip, in the dry. Going to 35 profile i was expecting the ride to suffer slightly, but in the end i couldn`t tell any difference.
When i need to replace the rear tyres again i will be buying 255/35s again.
I run standard 225/35`s on the front.
No more pothole damage on the 35s at the rear? A bit thinner so less protection than the standards.When i need to replace the rear tyres again i will be buying 255/35s again.
I run standard 225/35`s on the front.
Sorry to jump in on this but I am also considering going to 255s for more grip than anything else. Some have no problems and some have some scrubbing, must all be down to the set up I guess. I have been thinking hard about going onto toyo 888's but can't find them in 225/35?! Does everyone go 235/35 on the front or 225/40 with the toyos?
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