Date:         Mon, 3 Aug 1998 07:16:26 -0700
Reply-To:     Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Oversize wheels for Syncro
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I have 2 Syncros both of which have non VW wheels with oversize
tires. One, a camper, has Audi Turbo wheels with Michelin 215/75/15 LTX
tires. When I load this baby up for a long camping trip the effect on
the braking becomes quite noticeable. On steep and long downgrades the
higher overall gearing caused by the larger tires means that compression
braking power is reduced. I find that I need to apply the brakes much
more than before and to use more pedal pressure. Subsequent inspection
of the front brakes revealed signs of overheating. The Repco Metal
Master pads were carbonized and cracked and there was discoloring of the
rotors. The pads and rotors had less than 10k miles on them. I am now
carefull to reduce my speed before long down hill runs and I replace the
pads before my annual vacations. The oversize tires have been great on
my Baja trips and I have not gotten stuck since installing them 3 years
ago. I also carry the same wheel/tire as a spare but fitting it into the
front holder was a pain. I had to grind off the high spots in the well
and make my own lowering holder to replace the stock one. The effect on
the gearing means not being able to use fourth as much as before but
third now has a higher top speed to make up for it. I generally have
this van very loaded down so these effects are more  appearant than they
would be otherwise.

Mark Drillock

jim catterson wrote:
>
> now have about one year on 15"audi turbo wheels and pirelli scorpion
> 215/75-15's on the syncro and thought i would inject some real world
> experience rather than supposition and theory on the effects of
> oversize tires and wheels.
> advantages: (1) the van has a better ride then it did w/ the stock
> tires [can't honestly say that this is the size advantage other than
> the higher sidewall being slightly more compliant]; (2) more ground
> clearance for the syncro--about 2" higher than it was before; (3)
> lower rpm at highway speed w/  no real perceivable difference in power
> [it has always been a dog on 5 mile hills!]; (4) greater choice of off
> road tires in 15"[ i paid $52 each for the pirellis]; (5) no change in
> braking performance or handling that can be detected by anything other
> than a g meter.
> disadvantages: (1) spare tire size may be a problem for some; (2)
> initial acceleration [0 - 5mph ] is slightly slower; (3) the larger
> tires do not hold a wheel balance as long.
>
> still the best thing that i have done to the syncro.....
>
> cheers
> jim catterson
> 91 syncro