Club 80-90 Forums

How much 'higher' does this make effective gear ratios?
And what are the pros and cons? (on a 1987 2.1 MV w'bxr)

it'll depend on the profile. there is a trye size calculater here

http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

it'll show you the difference in gearing. i would have thought that a few % from original would make little difference, so long as they were fitted in pairs.

assuming you mean 185/80x14 and 205/70x15, then the difference in gearing will be 1.38%, theoretically...how worn out they are, and differences between manufacturers will make this level of accuracy a nonsense...go for it, the 205s won't look so lost in the wheel arches and the comfort and cornering will be better

I run 205R14Cs on the Mustard Pot with no ill effect at all and the speedo is now correct - I reckon that the van was meant to run on them originally but they went for the 185's for economy in production. The wheel carrier for the 205's is the original part, the one for the 185's is suffix A

205/70x14 are a standard fitment listed in the owners handbook--& can be fitted to the standard rims-steel or alloy--I would guess they are the same diameter as 185x14------

Thanks for all those helpful posts !

So is this confirmed?

We can fit 205/70 R14C's to rims that used to have 185/80 R14C's?

Here's a quote that might help

Note that the three sizes recommended for VW's, 185R14r, 195/75R14C and 205/70R14r all have the same rolling circumferance of approximately 650. Therefore all should have the same vertical clearance and the same speedometer readings.

if you change to 15 inch steel rims (from a merc or passat) you will have more tyres to fit i have 225 / 75 R 15 on my crewie

Reg wrote:if you change to 15 inch steel rims (from a merc or passat) you will have more tyres to fit i have 225 / 75 R 15 on my crewie

How does your van respond? is it a td 1.6?
the interest for the van I drive would be to lower rpm at a given speed. Plenty power since i've fitted a 1.9 TD. Could anybody point me in the right direction!

my crewie with the bigger tyres makes 10 mph of difference this link may help only thing with such large tyres are that they would rub on a camper

http://www.discountpartcenter.com/tirecalc.html[/url]

my crewie has a 2.0 pinto engine in and i needed to lower the rpm so at 60 mph it is now 70 so ive got a better crusing speed

15 "Metal wheels from merc or passat fit without modifications and have the same specs?

yep they sure do as i said earlier hehe only thing with the tyres i have they rub on the front with passat rims but you dont really need tyres that big