pjc615ukuk Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 (edited) I can hear the groans already, as no doubt this question has been answered a million times already. The trouble is, I can't find the answer I'm looking for... I'm converting from steels, to wire wheels and want to use the same sized tyres currently fitted on the steel wheels. Which are 185 R 15. I believe the modern equivalent is now 185 70 15, My garage man thinks it 185 80 15 and I have a suspicion that size is more readily available than a 70 profile? I'm happy with the aesthetics of my current size within the wheel arch, and don't want to end up feeling like I'm running on balloons. The new wires are 5.5 inch with centre laced spokes. Any help will be gratefully appreciated. Regards Peter Edited April 18, 2017 by pjc615ukuk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 (edited) Talk to these people on our forum. http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/61596-tyres/ Peter W PS What sized wire wheels are you choosing? Go too big and you will have wheel to arch clearance issues. Edited April 18, 2017 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted April 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 Hi Peter. Thanks for your swift response . 5.5 inch 72 spoke centre laced. I've edited my original post to reflect that now. Regards Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 (edited) The rim width you have chosen is standard and equal to the original steel wheels, so no issues there. Offset should be checked too. If you are running 185/15 tyres now, was your car an original UK car or an American import, which had 185 sized tyre as standard? The reason to ask is that speedometer calibration may be required if you change away from the 185 tyres. Buy your wheels here and they also fit the tyres. (not round the corner I know) http://www.mwsint.com/custom/FitmentGuide/DisplayEntry.asp?category=87&carId=FG000053&make=TR&carYear= Peter W Edited April 18, 2017 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John390 Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 (edited) I thought that the centre laced wires were 5.5" or 6" and 70 spoke The original TR wires were 5.5" and 72 spoke. Cheers John Edited April 18, 2017 by John390 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted April 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 The rim width you have chosen is standard and equal to the original steel wheels, so no issues there. Offset should be checked too. If you are running 185/15 tyres now, was your car an original UK car or an American import, which had 185 sized tyre as standard? The reason to ask is that speedometer calibration may be required if you change away from the 185 tyres. Buy your wheels here and they also fit the tyres. (not round the corner I know) http://www.mwsint.com/custom/FitmentGuide/DisplayEntry.asp?category=87&carId=FG000053&make=TR&carYear= Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted April 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 Hi Peter. It's an original uk spec car. Thanks for taking the time to include a link, but they're too far, and I've not got the time to arrange it. I'd kind of decided on Vredstein Sport 185 70 15, but my local Triumph specialist automatically suggested 185 80 15, which although mainly are a commercial van tyre, are available to suit passenger cars. I'm now confused as to the suitability of that sized tyre? Regards Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 The Vredstein Sport 185 70 15 are a good choice. I run Vredstein T Trac 165 80 15 on TR6 steel rims and am very happy with them. I previously had 185/70/15 Goodyear NCT. The 165/80 is as good as the same rolling diameter as the 185/70, so no speedo issues. You will need to think about speed rating of the tyres you fit as the car originally had a quoted top speed that required HR speed rating tyres. The Germans used to get quite agitated about this when they had their TUF test (MOT) We in the UK of course never go over 70 mph...... Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Austin Branson Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 Careful with the speed rating. My insurance man a few years back, told me of a scrote who nicked a car, wrote it off, killing himself, and family sued owner because he had fitted incorrect speed rated tyres. Austin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Boyd Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 Talk to Dougal or Tom at Longstone Tyres, they will sort you out!! Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cp25616 Posted April 18, 2017 Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 Peter I am doing exactly the opposite. I am changing from wires to steels. The standard 72 spoke 5.5" wires look dinky when fitted with 165 HR 15 XAS tyres, they look like 13" wheels not 15" so I think you are correct in going for the 185/70/HR15 tyres. The 185 HR15 (or 185 SR 15) tyres were fitted to the US spec TR6's and are too balloon like for your purpose, stick with the 185/70/15 tyre and you can't go wrong. BTW what are you doing with the steels then? I would be interested in purchasing these? Steels with 165/80/15 XAS are the business. Keep in touch Alan G. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted April 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 Thanks to everyone for taking the time out to offer good advice, of which I've taken on board. Regards Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted April 19, 2017 Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 Top picks for the TR6: 1. Michelin 165-15 XAS for P.I. cars 2. Michelin 185-15 XVS for U.S. cars 3. Michelin 185/70 XWX for P.I. ( or U.S cars fitted with 3.45:1 differential ) I just ordered (5) of #3 for my '250 with 6" wheels since they're too wide for 165s. I'm planning to get #2s for my show car with its 3.7:1 differential to replace its 2001 vintage XASs ( NLA in that size ). My money's on these outperforming everything else in a TR6 road application . Cheers, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted April 19, 2017 Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 I'll stick with Nankang 205/65R15s on 6" Revolution Rims @ €45 each,made round to go round. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ragtag Posted April 20, 2017 Report Share Posted April 20, 2017 I'll stick with Nankang 205/65R15s on 6" Revolution Rims @ €45 each,made round to go round. +1 I'm with you Niall. Black, round and made of rubber. Job done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted April 21, 2017 Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 The Vredstein Sport 185 70 15 are a good choice. I run Vredstein T Trac 165 80 15 on TR6 steel rims and am very happy with them. I previously had 185/70/15 Goodyear NCT. The 165/80 is as good as the same rolling diameter as the 185/70, so no speedo issues. You will need to think about speed rating of the tyres you fit as the car originally had a quoted top speed that required HR speed rating tyres. The Germans used to get quite agitated about this when they had their TUF test (MOT) We in the UK of course never go over 70 mph...... Peter W Peter, The T-Trac have a T speed rating, described as "suitable for speeds up to 118 mph". Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted April 21, 2017 Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 https://www.cokertire.com/185-70vr15-michelin-xwx.html?gclid=CKmNkcKyttMCFc9MDQodXoYIhg 186 mph max speed 51 psi max pressure Just received mine today - looking forward to road testing them! Cheers, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 https://www.cokertire.com/185-70vr15-michelin-xwx.html?gclid=CKmNkcKyttMCFc9MDQodXoYIhg 186 mph max speed 51 psi max pressure Just received mine today - looking forward to road testing them! Cheers, Tom Back in the Seventies those were the tyre of choice for Police MK1 Granadas, We used to fit the 205 version on early XJ`s and in excess of 100mph in torrential rain they never put a foot wrong. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
astontr6 Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 Back in the Seventies those were the tyre of choice for Police MK1 Granadas, We used to fit the 205 version on early XJ`s and in excess of 100mph in torrential rain they never put a foot wrong. Stuart. Stuart They look to have the same tread pattern as the old Goodyear G800 of the same period? Bruce Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 Stuart They look to have the same tread pattern as the old Goodyear G800 of the same period? Bruce Similar but when you actually see them they dont have such pronounced blocks. G800 were horrible for road noise when fitted to MK2 Jags. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jean Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 Wououw ..312$ a piece.. I'm not that rich and don't drive a Ferrari... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 That's what tyres cost for pickup trucks here in the 'States ( of any quality ), or any mid price car weighing 4000 lbs or more. They were $100 more a month ago... Just having tested them today I rate them: The Pinnacle Cheers, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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