What make/model/size of tires are on your Spider?

Suspension related stuff goes in here.
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Voyetra8

What make/model/size of tires are on your Spider?

Post by Voyetra8 »

My 1980 Spider has the original 70's Michelin 165-HR-13 XZX tires on stock steel rims. My car only has 23,000 miles on it and the tires still have quite a bit of tread life left on them. However, I'm very concerned about dry rot and have been looking for an exact replacement.

According to the online tire sites (and my local Discount Tire), it's impossible to find a direct replacement for the above tire. So I'm curious, what are you guys using for tires?
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Post by mdrburchette »

Here's what's on my three:

Pirelli 185/70/R13 on Cromadora wheel

Cornell 175/80/R13 on stock steel

Cooper 205/60/R13 on Shelby wheel
Danno

Re: What make/model/size of tires are on your Spider?

Post by Danno »

Voyetra8 wrote:My 1980 Spider has the original 70's Michelin 165-HR-13 XZX tires on stock steel rims. My car only has 23,000 miles on it and the tires still have quite a bit of tread life left on them. However, I'm very concerned about dry rot and have been looking for an exact replacement.

According to the online tire sites (and my local Discount Tire), it's impossible to find a direct replacement for the above tire. So I'm curious, what are you guys using for tires?
someone school me on what the 165-HR-13 really means. I'm used to 165/(%%sidewall height) -13 numbers. I just assumed that this tire was really a 165/80-13 which isn't that hard to find at all.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ ... chart.html
Danno

Post by Danno »

here are a couple of tires from tirerackthat should fit just fine.

I think my walmart had something for like $28 a piece...
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

185-60-13 fits well and is pretty easy to find
fiater

Post by fiater »

165/80/13 were stock. My '76 didn't handle very well with them. I switched to 185/70/13 which are the same height ( so the speedo. should read the same) and the car handles alot better now.
Danno

Post by Danno »

So Cal Mark wrote:185-60-13 fits well and is pretty easy to find
but with this size your speedo would be 7.1% off (speedo says 60 you are actually only going 55.8mph) so I'm gonna have to agree with fiater cause his method only puts you .8%off.
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

go to 195-60-13 then, but who looks at a speedo anyway?
Danno

Post by Danno »

So Cal Mark wrote:go to 195-60-13 then, but who looks at a speedo anyway?
lol, good point!
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v6spider
Posts: 1035
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:57 pm
Your car is a: 4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
Location: Mount Vernon WA

Post by v6spider »

1974 Fiat Spider 124 p225/50r15's in the rear p205/50r15's in the front on enkei rp-01 aluminum wheels +35 offset. :mrgreen:
http://www.v6spider.com
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Post by mdrburchette »

Show off! :roll:
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v6spider
Posts: 1035
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:57 pm
Your car is a: 4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
Location: Mount Vernon WA

Post by v6spider »

mdrburchette wrote:Show off! :roll:
Sorry Denise, I just can't help myself sometimes... 8)
http://www.v6spider.com
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
Village Idiot

List of combinations

Post by Village Idiot »

Try this site out. http://www.triumphspitfire.com/tirerec.html

I know it's for Brit cars but tyres don't care! Scroll down, it lists many size and make combinations.
Mad-Machine

Post by Mad-Machine »

v6spider wrote:1974 Fiat Spider 124 p225/50r15's in the rear p205/50r15's in the front on enkei rp-01 aluminum wheels +35 offset. :mrgreen:
beautiful rims.. I have them on my Hyundai..

as for tyre sizes.. I have run 195/60/13s with a little rubbing when carrying a heavy friend (300 pounds) so I doubt you would have problems..

right now my spider is on a set of 155/80/13s.. cheapest thing that pep boys had so I could roll her around
vcg

Post by vcg »

This is a very personal opinion, but I believe that 124 spiders and coupes look nicer with 13" and 14" rims. 15"and 16" may work better, but are way out of the style of the car.

Personally I use 185/60-13 and 185/55-14 tires. They work ok and look nice. Higher than 60 profile tires are too much of a lateral movement - body roll compromise for the car.

I just tried Yokohamas A048R 185/55-14 and they kick ass! They come in two compounds and are perfectly street legal. Price is very good too at 95 Euro per tire.
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