Bigger wheel diameter

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Laws1974
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Bigger wheel diameter

Post by Laws1974 »

I'm after some advice on changing my wheels and tyres so the the vans rpm is lower and the gears a bit longer.
Instead of gear box work! I have fitted at the moment 205 70 14 on carat alloys.
I know it's not going to make a massive difference but little better would be great.
Has anyone done this for the same reason and it work out how you thought?

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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by kevtherev »

To lower gearing you need more power.
Otherwise if you put bigger tyres on all that happens is your gear changes are earlier.
A friend went from a DG 76 bhp to DJ 112bhp, and could get away with a slightly taller 4th gear dropping the revs from 3900 to 3400 at 70...rather than altering the whole spectrum of gearing
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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by ghost123uk »

I have 205/14 on the same Carrat wheels. Note 205/14, not 205/70/14. My tyres are therefore not low profile at all. From what I have read they are 8% larger in circumference than the "70" ones. Straight away I noticed the effect of the slightly higher gearing, I don't have a rev counter, but cruising on the main roads sounds more relaxed. I also like the way they fill the arches better. I have not noticed any downside re the taller gearing, though my van is a fairly lightly loaded Tin-Top petrol DG camper, not a heavy Hi-Top Derv powered type, where the story might be different.

Pic shows the difference, my main van with larger diameter tyres on the left ;-

Image
Last edited by ghost123uk on 20 Oct 2015, 21:27, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by ghost123uk »

^^^^^ :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl

That was a genuine Photobucket "cock"-up there :? :roll: :lol: I'm going to leave it cause it's so funny (well to me anyway)

Lets try again =

Image
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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by MidLifeCrisis »

ghost123uk wrote:I have 205/14 on the same Carrat wheels. Note 205/70, not 205/70/14. My tyres are therefore not low profile at all.
I'm sure I'm being a bit 'slow' but what do you mean by this ...... How are these different??? :?: :?:
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Laws1974
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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by Laws1974 »

Are they more like 205 80 14s ?

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marlinowner
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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by marlinowner »

Think it's a typo. For 205/70 read 205/80.
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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by ghost123uk »

It's not a typo, "standard" size tyres are actually "80" profile (iirc) and, as they are not deemed low profile, they leave the 80 bit out, i.e. 205/14 is the same as 205/80/14. There is a good range in that size too as they are a common fitment to many smaller vans.
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marlinowner
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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by marlinowner »

Ok, so where it says 205/70 it should read 205/14?

But yes if no profile is stated it means 80% (or 82%).
I'm running 195/14 on Atiwe alloys as that is how it came to me, but will probably go to 205/14 when the time comes as definitely low geared for the Audi 2.5.
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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by matt brighton »

Hi

Im running 215/80/14's on standard steels with 1.9 AEF engine (diesel skoda felecia n/a).

Rides high and tyres look fat compared to skinny originals - but I like the look and they fill the arches

Very happy with gearing, "acceleration" cruising speed and up-hill ability - and would recommend.

Best


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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by anaconda »

Matt

Do you have a pic ?? I'm still thinking about what to do with mine.

Cheers
Last edited by anaconda on 20 Oct 2015, 22:01, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by ghost123uk »

Just an apology to MidLifeCrisis, Laws1974 and marlinowner, on reading back through this thread, I did make a typo when I wrote that I was using 205/70, I should have written I am using 205/14. That post now edited. Sorry for the confusion folks :oops: :roll:

That coupled to the Photobucket link error makes this not one of my best :?
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Re: Bigger wheel diameter

Post by CovKid »

Mine are 80s too - but on 15" steel rims. Slowcoach and I talked about the effects on gear changes through bigger wheel diameters here: http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=135826" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Taller tyres certainly help with gearing and even top speed but can leave you more prone to crosswinds. OK on a tintop I'd say but possibly something to consider on a hightop.
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