RE: Auto X tire tech question

["Neal Tovsen" <sixteen.volt@gte.net>]

Yes, a 195 does have a shorter sidewall, but:
1) The sidewall is a only 5mm smaller...not much! Yet it's 10mm narrower.
2) Sidewall height, at most, only affects transitional "feel", and has
virtually no effect on aggregate grip. The contact patch is not affected by
sidewall height or overall wheel/tire diameter.

Regarding the "doesn't fit" argument, how doesn't it fit? I run 205x40x16
with H&R lowering springs with no rubbing, and I've heard of others running
215x40x16 and 205x45x16 with only very minor rubbing. These latter two
options are wider (215mm vs. 205mm) and taller (590mm vs. 586mm),
respectively, than 205x50x15. With the proper offset, there should be no
problem.

The contact patch is far and away the largest component of traction, which
could be extended to the term "handling". A smaller sidewall might respond a
fraction of a fraction of a second quicker to the driver turning the wheel,
but ultimately doesn't change the car's ability to track through a turn,
even in something like a slalom. Ask the autocrossers why they don't run
30-series tires, yet 8" wide wheels are not uncommon. Pick up a copy of
_Volkswagen Sport Tuning_ if you won't take my word for it.

Neal
88 16v

> -----Original Message-----
> From: thescirocco@juno.com [mailto:thescirocco@juno.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 6:03 PM
> To: sixteen.volt@gte.net
> Cc: scirocco-L@scirocco.org
> Subject: Re: Auto X tire tech question
>
>
> On Tue, 18 Jan 2000 18:49:30 -0600 "Neal Tovsen" <sixteen.volt@gte.net>
> writes:
> > > 195 50 15 would handle better...
> > >
> > > Peter
> >
> > Why would 195's handle better than 205's? If the name of the game is
> > to maximize the tire's contact patch, how would 195's of the same
> > diameter/sidewall (50-series 15") handle better?
> >
> > Neal
> > 88 16v
> >
> The 195 50 15 has less sidewall, than a 205 50 15.
>
> Plus 205 50 15 is too big for a lowered Scirocco, at least mine...
>
> They fit pretty good on A2's, though.
>
> Peter
> '79 Scirocco 16V project car
> '80 Scirocco
> '88 Scirocco 16V
> '83 GTI, daily driver
>


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