Rubber for Teardrops?

Moosar · Nov 27, 2001

Hi there. I have the chance to buy a set of tear drops for approximately $200 USD with rubber with about 27,000 miles.

I was wondering if there is any kind of "high-performance" rubber or at least partially high performance for these rims? Thanks for any and all help.
BTW, i think someone posted here about that before, not too sure...

Rob Vila · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (Moosar)

Check at the http://www.tirerack.com . There is quite a selection of rubber for that size.

Tornado Wolfie · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (Moosar)

Yes you can get good rubber for 'em, but not as good as that available for 15's I think. Oh well. It's there if ya check. Search the tire rack. I've found some hits before for 195/55 or something

alexjungle · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (Moosar)

I think a 55 series Toyo is about as high performance for these wheels - 195/55/14 or 185/55/14

A2GTI_8V · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (alexjungle)

i believe dunlop makes a SP8000 (Z rated) in the 195-55-14 size, it's the only tire in that size that is street legal, from tirerack anyway. i've heard excellent things about that tire, it's what i'll be getting when my teardrops are refinished.

[Modified by A2GTI_8V, 2:45 PM 11-27-2001]

Rob Vila · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (A2GTI_8V)

I highly reccomend the dunlops. I had them on my teardrops and I loved them!

130_R · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (8vGTI)

I've gone with Yokohama AVS Intermediates 205/60-14 on my teardrops and loved them, much larger contact patch and good grip. They are much meatier than the 195/55-14 Toyo's or Yokohama's and are very close to the same rolling diameter. I ran an Eibach Pro Kit/Koni suspension setup with ABD lowering caps on the front and had zero rub (and I drive rather spiritedly).
When my 14x8 eurotrash wheels get here, I'm throwing a set of the 205/60's on them too.

Moosar · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (130_R)

Hmm.
I just found a set of "Toyo Proxes".
195/45/14 V for $159 CDN or $102 USD
Are these a good choice? Or should I go for 195/55/14 Dunlop SP 8000's?
I'm thinking maybe the 45's wont fill up the wheel well too much since my car isnt lowered yet...

Numbersix · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (Moosar)

Unless you have your car slammed, don't do the 45's. Also that's slicing it close in terms of rim protection...
SP8k's are decent and cheapish in a 195/55/14.

The_Hamster · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (SeattleGLI)

i third 195/55, avoid 60's if u can, unless they are 185.

Moosar · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (The_Hamster)

Sounds good...
The pirce difference is $4 a set.
Also, think i should polish the tear-drops?

Moosar · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (Moosar)

Also, the 45's 14's are street legal, i think.
At least, in Canada.

A2GTI_8V · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (Moosar)

here's the formula for getting overall diameter
185/60-14
(185/10)*.6*2/2.54+14=22.74" factory tire size!
195/55-14 =22.44"
195/60-14 =23.21"
205/60-14 =23.69" (almost an inch larger diameter than stock!)
195/45-14 =20.91" (almost 2 inches smaller diameter than stock!)
it's best to keep the overall diameter close to stock so that your odometer and speedometer read fairly accurately (you could recalibrate the gauges, but why bother?). i'd suggest the 195/55's for performance, there are several good performance tires in the 185/60 size, but you might as well pick up the extra 10mm of width.

nicholasp · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (Moosar)

I'm running Bridgestone Potenza's (RE92) on my 14'' rims - 195-55's - I have zero complaints - great tread life, great grip in the wet as well as dry - kinda pricey though

kickassGTi · Nov 28, 2001

i used to have 92s..

i'm running Pirelli P7000s on my 185 60 14 teardrops. Those motherfawkers grip harder than a two ton gorilla holding the last banana on earth.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/pirelli/pi_p7001.jsp

[Modified by kickassGTi, 4:05 AM 11-28-2001]

hoodita · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (Moosar)

where did you find 195/45?

130_R · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (A2GTI_8V)

quote:[HR][/HR]here's the formula for getting overall diameter
185/60-14
(185/10)*.6*2/2.54+14=22.74" factory tire size!
195/55-14 =22.44"
195/60-14 =23.21"
205/60-14 =23.69" (almost an inch larger diameter than stock!)
195/45-14 =20.91" (almost 2 inches smaller diameter than stock!)
it's best to keep the overall diameter close to stock so that your odometer and speedometer read fairly accurately (you could recalibrate the gauges, but why bother?). i'd suggest the 195/55's for performance, there are several good performance tires in the 185/60 size, but you might as well pick up the extra 10mm of width.[HR][/HR]

The diameter measurements vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, a Nitto 215/35-18 is an inch smaller in dameter than a Toyo 215/35-18. When I measured the Continetal 195/55-14's that came on my teardrops, the 205/60's I put on were a quarter inch smaller.

A2GTI_8V · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (130_R)

yeah, the formula is more of a guide than anything else, and it does give you an approximation of the overall diameter.

Moosar · Nov 28, 2001

Re: Rubber for Teardrops? (A2GTI_8V)

How about the Pirelli P6000's? Comparable to the Pirelli P7000's?
Also, Kumho 712 Ecsta's are available is my price range. Any opinions on these tires?

[Modified by Moosar, 11:38 PM 11-28-2001]

Rubber for Teardrops?

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