Not strictly locostbuilders related but we have a lot of very knowledgeable people on here...

I need to get some new tyres for my project TVR 2500m... Now, the standard wheels are 185 HRx14 (which I think is 185 60 14)...

Thats some high profile tyre!!!

How well do such high profile tyres handle?

Would I be better spending the money on some new wheels and tyres with lower profile?

I have all of the origional 14" wolfrace wheels for the car...but im not so sure about re-using them...

It is a good idea to start with keeping the radius of the complete tyre the same overall, otherwise you will change your gearing and speedo readings.
You can find calculators on the internet which will tell you the curcumference (tread pattern length per one rev).
Going for a larger wheel size and lower profile tyre will make cornering better but make your overall ride harder.
You need to compromise on cost because the bigger wheels cost more and also lower profiles.
How wide you go on the wheels will be determined by your wheel arch and turning clearances, so be careful or you will get your brand new tyres wearing on the car body.

I have 185/60R14's on the Indy.

Only using the 14" wheels as they came free with the original donor, and 185/60 is the only size they do R888's in.

Tyres seem fine, apart from overheating on track at Teesside. Not much sidewall flex and the high side means they take quite a bit of the suspension load.

With such a classic looking car as the 2500 I'd be tempted to go for retro / period wheels.

Ditch the wolfraces, assuming they look like these:-



and go for something like the minilites:-



or these:-



The other thing to consider is that the suspension geometry on the car will have been designed around the 14" wheels.

HTH

Mike

big modern 5 spokes would look cool on a 70s car i think. can you get bigger (16" maybe) rims, with lower profile tires, keeping the same overall diameter?

i'm not expert in these things

Just a note to say, if your original tyres are 185x14, they have a profile of 80 not 60 as you are assuming, ie. 185x80x14. If you are choosing an alternative with the same or very similar rolling radius this will make a big difference.

IMHO...I hate minilights...they just look pants!

And yes, the wolfrace wheels I have look like this: [img]http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/uploads/new/44162.jpg[img]


What I really want to find are some nice larger retro(ish) wheels that are slightly wider so they stick out of the arches a bit to give it that menacing look..

Without changing anything else on the car I recon that would improve the look no end...

But I have no idea where to look for wheels....or what sizes will work...

quote:

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Originally posted by delboy
Just a note to say, if your original tyres are 185x14, they have a profile of 80 not 60 as you are assuming, ie. 185x80x14. If you are choosing an alternative with the same or very similar rolling radius this will make a big difference.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Richard Quinn

quote:

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Originally posted by delboy
Just a note to say, if your original tyres are 185x14, they have a profile of 80 not 60 as you are assuming, ie. 185x80x14. If you are choosing an alternative with the same or very similar rolling radius this will make a big difference.

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Why would they automatically be 80 profile rather than 60??

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Its normal that where a profile No is not included in the tyre size ie. 185/14, then they are 185/80/14's, that being standard profile for radial tyres. Of course few cars have 80's profile anymore but thats the way its done.

adrian