Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (August 2015, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Sat, 22 Aug 2015 10:12:18 -0700
Reply-To:     vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Mercedes 16 inch wheels for Vanagon?
Comments: To: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <7sUo1r01908X5Fr01sUqEc>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

For gearing purposes I use rev/mile.

185R14 about 815 rev/mile 215/65R16 about 770 rev/mile

That is about a 6% difference. About 1.5" different diameter.

Yes you can feel it. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it hurts, not by much.

I have that size on 2 of my Vanagons. I like 215/65/16 because it commonly comes in Load 98 and is readily available in XL Load 102. I use the XL at 102. Both vans have stock 2.1 engines, manual trans.

Mark

Stephen Grisanti wrote: > Okay, here's a tire diameter-specific question for you folks using 215/65R-16 tires: Do you feel like this tire size's height increase over stock has adversely affected your van's effective gearing? My '87 with the stock 2.1L engine currently has the stock tire size, 185R-14C with an overall diameter of about 25 inches. I have a set of 16" CLK wheels in the garage and will need tires before the next trip. > My Mopar minivan uses the 215/65R-16 and that tire measures about 26" in diameter. Is that one inch increase too great an increase over the stock size for the van's stock engine to pull comfortably, or should I consider a shorter tire with a diameter closer to stock, like a 205/65R-16. I'd prefer the 65 series to a 60 for a little more sidewall height for a given width, and I've read that a one-inch increase in tire height is about the max recommended for a stock driveline. I'm not anticipating a Sube swap or trans rebuild and regearing at the moment, so nothing else should be changing anytime soon. The current engine is healthy but it is a WBX so not a powerhouse. Thanks! > Stephen > > >


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.