V8 Tyres - Confused

C

carlssonaero

New Member
Hi

I have on my V8 series 2 auto Nankang 185 14 tyres and I am sure the profile is 90! The tyres feel hard and I feel every bump. What would you guts recommend size wise thath is close enough to original and that will fit and will these (if they are more modern) give a more pleaureable feel. also which brands do you recommend thanks to all. Julian
 
Hi,

I've got Firestone F-580 tyres. They're 185/80/R14/91T. The T indicates a speed rating of 118 mph, which I understand is bang on the nose for the official top speed of a 3500 automatic. I had to order them specially. I bought them here in Dublin about a year ago and I think they cost about €90 (about Stg£60) each.

They also have the correct rolling radius, being 80% profile. My previous tyres were 70% profile and did not suit regularity runs as they were over-reading speed and distance.

John Larkin
 
hi
just for info
the profile or aspect ratio on a convensional tyre is 80% or 82% and they can be regarded as being the same as one another . so a 195r14 tyre is one of these. now a 195/70r14
has a different aspect ratio or profile ie smaller/lower.do not mix these tyres on the same axle, fit them in axle sets if you like but only in pairs. now if you want to fit lower aspect ratio tyres you can as long as you change the tyre width (the 195 bit).there is a magic formula that any good tyre fitting company can tell you. i think its up two widths and down one profile but dont take that as gospel.
certanly lowering the profile will not make the ride any softer but fitting new dampers and suspension bushes will. also if you have a modern car with abs changing the profiles can upset them.
nick
 
Hi,
I am the manager of my local ATS depot and these tyres are not that hard to get hold of. I can get hold of most common brands in that size within the next couple of days without any aggro. My 2200sc is running Avon ZV3's in that size and I got them next day delivery.

In hope this helps

Stuart
 
miss daisy said:
Hi,
I am the manager of my local ATS depot and these tyres are not that hard to get hold of. I can get hold of most common brands in that size within the next couple of days without any aggro. My 2200sc is running Avon ZV3's in that size and I got them next day delivery.

In hope this helps

Stuart
Click to expand...
Hi Stuart,
Can you (ATS) supply the Dunlop SP Sport 185HR14 (or alternatives in this exact size), and if so how much?
Thanks
 
The standard tyre for my V8 according to the handbook is 185HR14. It says nothing about what profile the tyre should be. Does anyone know please because my Nankangs say 185HR14 90 which it too high I think. They also feel hard like crossplies I used to have on an old Mark 1 Cortina I used to own) and I am hoping something a bit better and lower would feel less hard>

Julian
 
Hello all, The correct tyre for the V8 should be 185HR14.

The HR denotes High speed radial. If you should have a crash in you V8 and your insurance man come's out to check the car and find you do not have HR rated tyres fitted, and is keen eyed, then your insurance will be void.
BEWARE.
Paul, Chairman. :(
 
Are you looking at the load index?...I think that is what it is called and is about right at 90.

I had Nankang 185HR14 tyres on an 'S' that I sold a while back. I dont remember them giving a hard ride. In fact they proved to be a pretty good tyre all things considered. The size, spec. and look of the tyre is correct for the car.
The handbook won't mention profile because a tyre stating 185HR14 is correct in size, spec. and profile, a tyre stating 185/XX HR14 may not be.

I will be buying the re-introduced Dunlop SP Sport 185HR14 when I next need tyres. Spot on for a P6 V8.
 
My local tyre dealer told me that he believed that the original tyres for the V8 were 80% profile, and added that he also encountered 82% profile. The difference in rolling radius is only 1.1%, so I suppose it's academic. This 80/82% profile appears to tally with the 24mph/1000 rpm engine speed given in the factory repair manual. (Strangely, the repair manual (division 60.45.01) states that the wheel/tyre compressed radius is 294mm, which is at odds with the actual radius of about 326 to 330mm that is needed to achieve the V8's top speeds. I'd guess that the 294mm figure is based on early four cylinder car tyres.)

The top speed of the P6 V8 automatic is either 117mph or 118mph depending on the reference; the V8S top speed is either 122mph or 123mph. T-rated tyres suit speeds not over 118mph, so they appear to be legal on the automatic cars. The manuals cars need U (125mph) or H (130mph), or higher, rated tyres. I wanted H rated tyres but could not get them in 185/80/R14, and so settled for T rated, as did my insurer. However, I would be happier with H rated tyres if I could get them.

The factory repair manual specifies 185/80/HR14 tyres without differentiating between manual and automatic cars. The repair manual does not give top speed figures for the car.

Does anybody have a document issued by Rover stating the official top speeds of the different models of the P6?

John Larkin.
 
Hi again,
Dunlop still produce their SP10e tyres in the185/80HR14 and I can get them on next day delivery. They should be around £66 fitted.
 
Looking at a new mkV Golf today I noticed it had 185/80 14 tyres (Continentals) so it looks like they should be fairly readily available. As mentioned earlier, this corresponds with the previous standard of 185/82 14 so is the modern equivalent.
Brenda's comments about tyre ratings and insurers (sorry, language!) is very pertinent. Bear in mind also the the T/H/V/Z ratings also take some account of the weight of the potential target vehicles so sticking T rated tyres on a car weighing in excess of a ton and a half might not be a cunning idea.
A nice set of part worn'll do me - beautiful smooth finish...

DD
 
Diesel Dick's comments on load capacity concerned me so I checked the rating. My tyres have a load rating of 91 which corresponds to 615kg per tyre. The car weighs 1306kg, so each tyre can carry 47% of the car's total weight.
 
Needing new tyres and having difficulty - Friend has suggested that 205/70 14 would fit on my V8 14" rims. Any other comments? (instead of 185HR14)
 
zebedee
Go mad, 16 x 7 superlite alloys with Michelin Le Mans are the only way to go. Takes a bit of work to get them into the wheel wells of course.
I used to run 185/75 R14 Firestones on the Blue car before I went mad with bigger wheels. These worked very well, gave a great ride and used to last 40,000 miles. As far as I can tell, the diffence between most of these tyre numbers is the 10 yards per mile that you either gain or lose between them.
My best suggestion is go down to a reputable tyre dealer with some experience in older cars and find the modern equivilent of the original equipment.
Or just get new wheels
Cheers
Guy. :(
 
Vintage and Black Circles - WHAT?

Have you seen the prices?

I can get Michelin 235/45/18 for my ZT for less than the P6 tyres on those sites, from a local tyre place near me.

....and believe me, the 18's aren't cheap.

SHOP AROUND!

:0 :p :0 :p :0 :p :0
 
Will 205/70 14 tyres fit the standard V8 14inch rims? - I cant afford the ridiculous prices that "original" 185HR14 tyres cost. (It would be cheaper to replace all 4 tyres with good 205/70's than the cheapest 185HR14s)
 
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