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Re: Tires For A Bugeye

To: "Robert E. Shlafer" <PilotRob@webtv.net>
Subject: Re: Tires For A Bugeye
Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2003 09:18:23 -0800 (PST)
Cc: Sprite Email List <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Great info Bob.  Good point about the bigger wheels.  In response to your other 
suggestions - I added the Peter May front and rear lowering kits last month.  I 
have front and rear tube shock conversions ready to go on.  I agree with the 
sway bar as well - I need to order one.  
As far as power ... I have a stock 948 right now.  This winter is handling and 
next winter is power (hopefully).  I will have to live with my 42 horses this 
summer - I will have to hope to carry my speed through the corners ... :)
Mike
 "Robert E. Shlafer" <PilotRob@webtv.net> wrote:Hi, Mike...

Since your priority is going to be handling
and autocrossing at that, I would go with
at least a 5.5" wheel for a series 60 tire
and 6" if they'll fit under there without
rubbing or fouling the suspension. Will
help to keep sidewalls more "stiff" and
better support the wider footprint. You
can use a 3/8" spacer without going over
to longer studs though I know I am going
to get a lot of flack from others on this!! :)

But in fast street driving using 5.5" Western's with Yoko 008R 185/60's
and
1/4" spacers as well, I never had a problem with the stock size studs
......and this was back in the
days when I drove it like I stole it!

Otherwise a 70 series would work well
on a 5". I have 175/70 T/A's on my daily
driver BE using Western 5.5" Minilite
wannabe's and they are excellent in ride
quality and handling. Great "turn in" and
very "grippy" in the dry....no ice or
snow stuff and very little rain driving as
well but I really slow down in "contaminated" conditions, anyway, no
matter what I am driving.

One thing to bear in mind, as I do not know what you are using for an
engine
or it's state of tune. The fatter footprint
eats up torque/hp. Of course, you are going to a lighter wheel so this
will offset
this "effect" quite a bit.

Bear in mind also that the stock set-up
was meant and built for the stock "skinny"
tire footprint. This is where the Spridgets
wonderfull "tossability" comes from, not
to mention decent handling in the wet with
the right tire.

Lowering the car and using the right sway bars along with more heavily
valved levers or heavier oil (or KYB GasAdust
tubes) will allow you to keep
that "tossability" factor as you go wider
on the footprint, even if you go to a 13"
steering wheel.

Let's see what other listers who actively
autocross their machines have to say when they come "on line", later.

There are a lot of good tires out there
today and they are not necessarily of the
"wide" variety, either!!

In any event, enjoy!! :)




Cap'n. Bob (Ret'd)
'60 Frog


Mike Moomaw 
Ellicott City, Maryland 
mmoomaw@yahoo.com


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