Tyre size

[saabfast]

The tyres on my '81 with factory alloys are now pretty old, although the tread is OK through lack of use. They are the standard 185/70x13 size. My son has a set taken from his Viva Minilights (6.5") which are 175/70x13 Khumos, newer and in better condition. I have run them through a size calculator and, although obviously smaller the speed difference is very little.

Are there any views on this size and how they would fit TR7 rims?

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1 (now passed to son for his family car)
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto (now gone that others might live)
Saab 9000 2.3 LPT Auto (sold on, wish I had it back)
Saab 9-5 2.3 Vector Auto Estate
'81 TR7 DHC

[Hasbeen]

Firstly, why did they come off your sons car? How old are they? My experience is that any tyres older than 6 years old are doubtful, & over 8 years should be in the tip.

I had 175 13s front, 185 rear on my first 7, & they were fine, not great but not bad either.

I recently fitted 185 70 13 Kumho on the front of my current 7, & I love them. They don't have the sharp turn in & feel just a little understeery, but they are quiet, give a better ride, make the steering much lighter, & have as much grip as the Pirellis that came off. They were going hard at 6 years old, getting flat spots if they sat for more than a week, & giving increasingly giving more wheel wobble.

Hasbeen

[saabfast]

Thanks Hasbeen. They are probably about 4 years old (since he had them fitted). He took the car off the road about 2 years ago for some light repairs which became a little more extensive and decided to rebuild it. He wanted to change the wheels and somebody wanted the rims so he sold them on minus the tyres. As usual he has not had the time (or money) to do much so the project still sits there (on some old steelies). Will see how mine gets on in the MOT today.

If anyone is interested it is a 1975 Viva with the original engine (I think he has fitted an SU carb though). Body is reasonable but needs a bit of welding, which he has started. It is stripped out but has the interior. He also has all the parts for a Stage 2.5 1256cc engine (including block etc) with a Weber (28/36?) and Weber manifold for it). He is sort of looking to get rid of it as he needs to buy a house, but really still wants to keep it (head & heart problem). I can get more details if required.



Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1 (now passed to son for his family car)
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto (now gone that others might live)
Saab 9000 2.3 LPT Auto (sold on, wish I had it back)
Saab 9-5 2.3 Vector Auto Estate
'81 TR7 DHC

[Beans]

Just remember that the early TR7's had 175/70x13 fitted as standard.

<center>
<font color="blue"><i>1976 TR7 FHC (needs some TLC ...)
1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, a.k.a. Kermette)
1981 TR7 FHC (Sprint engined a.k.a. 't Kreng
</font id="blue"><b>[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]<u><b><font size="3"><font color="red">My full Blog</font id="red"></font id="size3"></b></u>[/url]</b></i></center>

[saabfast]

Car passed the MOT with no comment on the tyres so pressure is off immediately but will still look to changing. 185/70x13's seem to be available in either cheapies (Hifly, and most others I have never heard of) or very few and expensive branded (Michelin which do not look much better on the rating tag). Many places do not list them at all. Will have to look at the MGF wheels again but prefer the look of the originals.

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1 (now passed to son for his family car)
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto (now gone that others might live)
Saab 9000 2.3 LPT Auto (sold on, wish I had it back)
Saab 9-5 2.3 Vector Auto Estate
'81 TR7 DHC

[FI Spyder]

I too would recommend the Kumho's. I have them on my Integra, Toyota and most recently (2007) the TR7. While I can't compare them to the bald Michelin tires that were on the car (just glad they got me home from Sacramento without incident) I like the way the car handles with them. They were $60 installed, balanced with new chrome valve stems installed in the alloys. They had good reviews at Tirerack.com and in previous year had won in the single seat buggy class in the Paris - Dakar race the last year it was held in Africa so they have some racing experience (also they were the tiree used in the Pacific Northwest stock car series). They are a Korean company and I hadn't heard of them at the time they were the fastest growing tire company at the time and seem to be every where now. Tire models seem to change every year or two but you can't go too far wrong for an inexpensive tire that gives value for money.

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[j.johnson23]

Don`t put cheapo tyres on,they are lethal in the wet and not that good in the dry either.Just remember these cars have a very short wheelbase which makes them twitchy anyway.
One other thing I found was that the steering is heavier with them.
The Kuhmo tyre is not bad at all but as has been said make sure they are fairly new as the rubber goes off after a few years.
A good 175 section tyre is a lot better than a cheapo 185 any day.

[saabfast]

My mistake, apparently they are Yokos, not Kumhos! Best he could get in the size he reckons, very sticky in wet or dry. Will pop round and have a look sometime.

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1 (now passed to son for his family car)
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto (now gone that others might live)
Saab 9000 2.3 LPT Auto (sold on, wish I had it back)
Saab 9-5 2.3 Vector Auto Estate
'81 TR7 DHC

[claypole1360]

To add wait to the argument, I have Kunho Solus KH17s fitted to my 205. I went for them because they are rated highly for wet grip and I have to say they are excellent in the dry or the wet.
Mine are 165 70 13s so they should be available and they weren't excessively expensive.
My opinion only,
Calvin.



1978 TR7V8 FHC
1962 Herald Coupe 1200
1989 Peugeot 205 xs
2003 Peugeot 206 GTI
2009 VW Passat