Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 00:30:25 EST
Reply-To: Modl6971@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Michael Modl <Modl6971@AOL.COM>
Subject: AW: 16" tires, my rims and results.
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
In a message dated 10/28/98 10:15:32 PM Pacific Standard Time, NACHTAIN 7
writes:
<< thanks for the reply and i hope this isn't a bother but did you have to
machine the center hub or any other kind of machining? is the offset pretty
close or the same and if not, have you noticed any difference in handling?
what size and brand of tire are you using? one more? is there a big change
in speed or acceleration? before i spend the $ i just wanted some info on
someone who has already done the work. i appreciate it very much
nigel >>
Hi nigel. I had to do no machining at all. The hub and the center of the Ronal
R9's were just about perfect, to a millimeter. No centering rings necessary.
If used on a syncro you'll need to replace all the lug NUTS with the correct
taper to match the rims. On a normal vanagon you'll need the lug nuts (like I
just mentioned) for the rear and the correct lug BOLTS for the front with the
correct taper also.
Offset looks the same to me. The tires I'm using are Michellen MX4 215-65-16.
My syncro handles awesome and looks great. On a regular vanagon I would use
205-55-16, 215-55-16 is also available form Michelin. You can use whatever
brand tire you like.
There is no change in acceleration with my set up. Vanagon's and most other
cars have a certain percentage of error in the speedo's, usually by five to
six percent. Vanagon's that show an indicated speed of 70 MPH are really
traveling at 66 MPH, check it out sometime while you are on the freeway and
time yourself at each mile marker, time about five mile markers to get an
average, some mile markers aren't really a mile apart either. At a steady
speed of 70 MPH, it should take your van 51.5 seconds to travel that, most
likely with stock wheel set up it will take 54.5 seconds to travel one mile
which is 66 MPH. Since I went with a larger set up all together, my indicated
speed of 70 MPH, really is a TRUE 70 mph now than before. Basically I'm
traveling faster now at the same RPM. Acceleration speeds decreased, top end
increased along with fuel mileage.
When I ordered the Ronal center caps and lug bolts for my rims they didn't
know which lug bolts I needed so they sent my both kinds. I have two part
numbers, L 3055 R lug bolts 12X1.5 BALL-R9 VANAGON, and L 3045 lug bolts
14X1.5 BALL R9 VANAGON. I think it's the 14X1.5's. Here's a phone number of
Ronal too, 714-891-4853 (in California)
See ya, Michael
87syncro
87 quattro
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