Optimum tire size for Beck with Vintage 190 wheels

Sounds gorgeous.  Through having two of there cars I have found that going with Carey's advice is always good.  I'd go with the 175s unless he says otherwise.

Sounds beautiful. I’ve got the 185 Vreds sprint classics on the back of my Spyder and the 175 Vreds sprint classics on the front and they are great with no issues. But I’ve got a Vintage.  But I think you should go with the 175s. Don’t think you want them any taller.

@550 Phil @SJackson  What width rims are you running front and back? Phil, do you have pictures of these tires on your car? When my Sportracs die, I'll have to find a summer tire replacement. These cars do look "right" with a little more sidewall.

Typically, the fronts run 4.5" wide rims with 185/65 tires and the rears are 5.5" wide with 195/60s. Finding performance tires in these sizes is very challenging. 175s would be perfect, in my opinion, for the 4.5" wide rims. The 185s on he 4.5s look a little pooched out for my taste, but it is what it is. In spirited driving, my front right will rub the fender.

BTW Vredestein Sprint Classics are summer tires, not to used in those Indiana winters.

I’ve got 4.5s in front and 5.5s on rear. I’ll be in Charlottesville next weekend and post better pictures. Here’s a pic from Tour de Blu.

@Carlos G posted:

@550 Phil @SJackson  What width rims are you running front and back? Phil, do you have pictures of these tires on your car? When my Sportracs die, I'll have to find a summer tire replacement. These cars do look "right" with a little more sidewall.

Typically, the fronts run 4.5" wide rims with 185/65 tires and the rears are 5.5" wide with 195/60s. Finding performance tires in these sizes is very challenging. 175s would be perfect, in my opinion, for the 4.5" wide rims. The 185s on he 4.5s look a little pooched out for my taste, but it is what it is. In spirited driving, my front right will rub the fender.

BTW Vredestein Sprint Classics are summer tires, not to used in those Indiana winters.

The VM 190 alloys are 4.5 front and 5.5 rear. I'm near South Bend IN not too far from Carey and the boys, no worry about me driving in winter or hopefully rain for that matter. So far I guess the consensus is 175/70 fronts and 185/70 rear. Just thought about spare tire and wheel. What's the advise there?

Get a 4.5 rim and 175 tire so if you ever need to change it it'll work on the front or rear.

I used to have a space-saver spare on a 4" rim, jack, and 4-way wrench in the car. I took them out.

I have Hagerty insurance which offers free roadside assistance(towing).

The Sprint classics in the sizes that Phil recommends are the way forward for us. I'm sure Carey will concur about 175/70F and 185/70R but I'd certainly take his recommendation. He simply is the best person to ask, he's built a TON of these cars.

190hp is a significant amount of power in a Spyder. Work slowly up to speed, they can bite!

@550 Phil posted:

I’ve got 4.5s in front and 5.5s on rear. I’ll be in Charlottesville next weekend and post better pictures. Here’s a pic from Tour de Blu.

Hey, where's the diagonal support bar? The roll hoop alone won't help at all without the diagonal should you roll it.

Danny it’s just too intrusive. Makes interior uncomfortable for me. And forget about a passenger. That bar is pretty stiff. I’m sure it adds some additional protection and torsional rigidity. If I ever take it to the track I’ll use it. But if I’m recreating I’m not using it. Or maybe I just like the way it looks. I’m surprised you didn’t chime in sooner.

We had a big discussion fairly recently about the functionality of roll bars.  I still believe they can add some benefit to a plastic car, but others felt they posed more of a risk should a roll over actually occur.

I have a very solid one in my IM6, and I feel it adds to the structural rigidity of the car (not that it wouldn't be without it), and some protection.

Your results may vary, as they say.  Besides, who said these cars are safe to begin with?

@550 Phil posted:

Danny it’s just too intrusive. Makes interior uncomfortable for me. And forget about a passenger. That bar is pretty stiff. I’m sure it adds some additional protection and torsional rigidity. If I ever take it to the track I’ll use it. But if I’m recreating I’m not using it. Or maybe I just like the way it looks. I’m surprised you didn’t chime in sooner.

Phil, you do you.

The physics though can't be bargained with. There is a reason that the SCCA requires diagonal braces no more than 6" from the top. Your hoop-only will fold like a cheap suit, unless you roll over gently at 10 mph.

I'm out.

Safe cars, yeah, right.

Had some fresh photos of Docs car from VA. Looks great.  

The bar is for the skiers

I can tell you Danny was spot on about these tires. They definitely have more grip than my wider but much harder Kumhos. Get them warmed up a little before getting crazy. There’s a stop light less than a block from my house. As soon as I put them on the car I took a right at the light and almost ended up sideways. After a little driving they became very grippy and predictable. I’m sure they will be pretty awful in the cold. If I use these in the winter I plan on being very careful.

I also like the skinny look. It makes the car look more period correct. If that kind of thing matters to you.

@550 Phil posted:

I can tell you Danny was spot on about these tires. They definitely have more grip than my wider but much harder Kumhos. Get them warmed up a little before getting crazy. There’s a stop light less than a block from my house. As soon as I put them on the car I took a right at the light and almost ended up sideways. After a little driving they became very grippy and predictable. I’m sure they will be pretty awful in the cold. If I use these in the winter I plan on being very careful.

I also like the skinny look. It makes the car look more period correct. If that kind of thing matters to you.

From the Vredestein information center:

Note: Tires exposed to temperatures of 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) or lower must be permitted to gradually return to temperatures of at least 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) for at least 24 hours before they are flexed in any manner, such as by adjusting inflation pressures, mounting them on wheels, or using them to support, roll or drive a vehicle. Flexing of the specialized rubber compounds used in Grand Touring Summer tires during cold-weather use can result in irreversible compound cracking. While compound cracking is not a warrantable condition because it occurs as the result of improper use or storage, tires exhibiting compound cracking must be replaced.

Oh gee forgot to photoshop the spyder in there.

@IaM-Ray posted:

I think found the elf on the shelf - he was trying to escape the mantle by flying to the bookcase.

Rarely gets to 20 degrees F where I live. And I’m sure as heck not driving the spyder in that. Don’t think I’d drive it unless temperature is above 40 F. But still, good to know. Thanks for the information.

I messaged Carey. He said he prefers 155 or 165 on the front but has used 175 and it was fine and it would be OK with that. What would you guys pick?

I have 165/80 Sprint Classics on Vintage 190s all around on my car. They look the part and rub just a little on the front on hard or off-camber turns, but my beam is standard width.

@SJackson posted:

I messaged Carey. He said he prefers 155 or 165 on the front but has used 175 and it was fine and it would be OK with that. What would you guys pick?

The widest one he recommends, in this case the 165s.  Remember how light the car is, particularly up front.  Go with as wide as will fit in the rear.

@edsnova posted:

I have 165/80 Sprint Classics on Vintage 190s all around on my car. They look the part and rub just a little on the front on hard or off-camber turns, but my beam is standard width.

Ed, correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't have a front anti-sway bar, correct? The 165 tires are a tiny bit large in diameter unless you have some anti-sway going on.

Whether or not you have a front bar, I'd get 175/70 front and 185/70 rear as Phil did. The 175/70 is about 3/4" smaller in diameter than the 165/80. And only 10mm wider. Easier to set a bit of forward rake with the smaller front too.

@Lane Anderson posted:

The widest one he recommends, in this case the 165s.  Remember how light the car is, particularly up front.  Go with as wide as will fit in the rear.

Spyders have 45% of their weight up front, so not as light as you'd think.

Correcting @DannyP, I have a half inch sway bar. Due for inspection to see how its homemade ends are holding up.

Make it 5/8" Ed, and heat treat it so it's a spring. It's the perfect size for street hooning.