Tire Size Comparisons from the Miata.net site Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference 185/70-14 5.1in 12.1in 24.2in 76.0in 834 0.0% 195/60-14 4.6in 11.6in 23.2in 72.9in 869 -4.1% 195/65-14 5.0in 12.0in 24.0in 75.3in 841 -0.9% 205/60-14 4.8in 11.8in 23.7in 74.4in 852 -2.1% 195/60-15 4.6in 12.1in 24.2in 76.1in 833 0.1% 205/55-15 4.4in 11.9in 23.9in 75.0in 845 -1.3% 205/50-16 4.0in 12.0in 24.1in 75.6in 838 -0.5%
These are of course based on the nominal size of the tire. Actual size by manufacturer and product may/will vary. I have had 185/70, 195/60, 195/65, 195/70 and 205/60 series tires in the 14" size. I now have 205/55-15 on Alfa Phonedial wheels on my 86 Graduate. When I got the wheels they still had the original 195/60-14 Pirelli P6 tires on them. The Alfa wheels are relatively heavy and made an immediately noticeable change in steering feel from the 14" tires/wheels. I replaced the P6s with some Bridgestone then Dunlop tires in 205/50-15 size. Handling was great but steering was heavy until moving and the little bit extra lower the car sat made a difference getting over the speed bumps on my street if I had a passenger or a full tank of fuel. If I had both the car would drag heavily over the bumps, eventually grinding a hole in the leading edge of the cat. I switched to the 205/55-15 size and the speed bumps are slightly less of a problem and steering is a bit lighter but I am rarely in a position where I cannot get rolling a bit before having to turn the wheel. -----Original Message----- Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2012 17:35:35 -0400 From: Richard Bevins <[email protected]> Subject: [alfa] Graduate tire size I'm sure this has been answered before, but I don't remember reading it. Other than the stock 186/70 x 14 tires for my '86 Graduate with stock wheels, what other size tires will work? (And is there any advantage to using another size?) Dick Bevins ------------------------------ -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
