<VV> Stock wheels or not???

[N. Joseph Potts]

The changes you describe aren't just in the RATINGS or even just
width/aspect ratio of the tire - the changes are in the WHEEL (rim) size,
which I suspect is most important.
     And my own experience backs you up as far as my own driving style can
allow: I changed from 13 to 14 primarily for size availability, and as I've
reported many times on this forum, I experienced GREAT improvements above
50mph in switching from Firestone 205/70R13s to Dunlop 195/70R14s.
     So I have no argument, or even suggestion of it, where it comes to
uprating (increasing) the WHEEL size. Best thing I even did for my Corvair's
performance, and no perceptible loss of comfort, either.
     Now, here's the story on the RATINGS of the tires in this tale. The
13-inch tires would appear to have NO suffix. (No rating? Does that mean the
tires are old, which they aren't, or is no rating a "rating"?) The 14-inch
tires have a 90S suffix, which I think is bottom of the heap, but still
better (?) than no rating. 195/70R14 90S

Joe Potts
Miami, Florida USA
1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Elliott [mailto:Corvair at fnader.com]
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2005 9:37 PM
To: N. Joseph Potts; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: RE: <VV> Stock wheels or not???


My Corsa, yes. In general, no.

Case 1. Scott Stamper's 12k mile 1969 coupe with standard suspension. Was
running around on 185/80SR13 tires... moved to steel 14x6.5 rims and
215/60HR14 tires. Changed the way the car drove overnight. Much more stable
and secure at highways speeds and much better steering feedback and
road feel. THEN a set of Carreras set on soft really firmed up the handling
(at the expense of the soft ride). the tires themselves changed ride
slightly, but the
shocks had a much larger effect.

Case 2.  Wife's car ('67 vert) had stock (sagging) springs and old tired
shocks. Was running around on 185/75SR13. Drove like a marshmallow. Making
NO OTHER CHANGES I went to 14x6 stock GM rims and hubcaps but now running
205/65VR14. The entire car's personality changed. It went from a car
that would squeel tires at the slightest provocation (even driving it like a
grandmother)  to a car very sure-footed. THEN a set of Konis tightened up
the
handling (just liek with Scott's car) but in this case didn't change the
ride at all. The ride and handling on this car would improve immensely by
dumping the
steel rims and heavy mag hubcaps for a set of alloys, but the wife prefers
it "as is"... and I prefer to keep her happy. ;-)

Going from S rated tires to sticky tires has the same effect on drivability
that going from bias ply tires to radials has...even at low speeds.

My driving style? Safe and legal (except for speed), but aggressive.  But
even crusing on the interstate at 65mph is VERY different with grippy rubber
and
tight sidewalls. Cruising at 35mph there isn't much difference.

You are correct that many Corvair owners would not really see much
difference. But the majority (the sporting crowd and the ones that drive
their cars a lot
at modern speeds) surely will.

I used the xamples of shocks in my previous post... a better example would
have been the engine. The 1960 140cid 80 horsepower engine hooked to a
Powerglide is completely adequate for use on highways at sane and legal
speeds...why would anyone need anything more? The same folks that "wouldn't
see the value" in a set of sticky tires are the same crowd that likely
"wouldn't see the value" in a 110...much less a 140 or turbo.  And there ARE
Corvair
owners like that...just not in the majority.

The tires are the most important part of any car... all of the other systems
on the vehicle are working to let the tires best do their job. When the
tires are
substandard, the other systems can only do so much. The Corvair has the most
advanced suspension of any American car of its era, but unless you have
the tires to make it happen on the pavement, you might as well be driving a
Mustang. ;-)

Bill

>Bill, I suspect that SOME of what you get out of uprated tires relates to
>other uprated components on your car, not to mention a way of driving that
>an old coot like me would seldom emulate these days. You mention those
>Konis, no doubt with some aggressive setting on them. Any mods to springs?
>Steering gear? Etc.?

>Joe Potts
>Miami, Florida USA
>1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C and Clark's Red Ryder shock
>absorbers