WHAT RUBBER SHOULD I WEAR?

[MCFADDEN]

I HAVE STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE FRONT END OF MY GRIFF IS A LITTLE SLOW IN TURNING IN & HOLDING THE ROAD WHEN PUSHED SWIFTLY ROUND ROUNDABOUTS.

I AM THINKING OF CHANGING THE TYRES AT THE FRONT & WAS WONDERING WHAT YOU BOYS IN THE KNOW WOULD RECOMMEND.

I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH BRIDGESTONE S03's ON THE BACK BUT ON THE FRONT IT HAS VIKING PROTECH 500'S ( I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THEM )

IT HAS THE STANDARD 500 WHEELS

ANY RECOMMENDATIONS, PRICES & CONTACTS

[apache]

Toyo proxis work for me, some guys rate SO 3's,

[19560]

Except that most Griffs have 15" front wheels and Toyo don't do a ZR rated tyre for 15". Try Goodyear F1 GS-D3 tyres or do a search - there's a lot about tyres.

[Guillotine]

S0 3's are fine.

good in wet...and good enough on the track.

the dealer MAY say their not recommended for griff's, standard policy as MR Wheeler said there no good and went to TOYO's. Cheaper and very good but not speed rated for griff front (as stated).

TVR got a good deal on TOYO's with joint advertising etc.etc.

I'm on my third set of S03's... 6000m each (rear) plenty of grip on tracks all over Europe

IMHO

andy

[beano500]

The SO3 thing was all about low profile tyres - the sidewalls are harder than the SO2s (see, I listen to Mr Heath sometimes!)

SO3s are fine, but of course the feel of tyres is a personal thing, one man's rubber is another man's...

...Hevea brasiliensis !

[griffman]

have got so2 on the front and 3's on the back as cant get 2's anymore. have tried differant tyres in the past and gone back to bridgestones.

[graham 500]

has anyone had any experience with Pirelli P7000 as I am loking at a set.
Also does any one know why my missus New Golf Gti's 225x45x17's are wider than my Griffs 245x45x16 [rears] maybe i'm missing something, as the tyres Ive been quoted to fit onto new 7.5x18 are 225x35 and I'm just concerned that they will be too narrow!! any ideas?

[jodypress]

try elite wheels in dagenham, essex.
i got 2 brand new so2's fitted for £190.
jody

[19560]

If you're fitting Pirelli fit from the P-Zero range, probably the Rosso. The P7000 is from their "sport" range "for medium and high performance cars" whereas the P-Zero provides "the ultimate road tyre," all according to the Pirelli literature. Or you could call them on 08459 616263.

All of your tyre sizes and widths seem a little strange. 225 on 18s may give the correct rolling radius but may also upset the handling and grip in the summer. Will you be using another set of tyres in the summer? If so you'd be better using the standard wheels in the winter and the 18s in the summer/dry/track days.

[RichB]

Graham, I assume you are fitting these to a Griffith? And that they are for the rear, yes? If so then to directly answer your question a 225 should sit comfortably on a 7.5" rim but I would have thought it too narow for the rear of a Griffith or any TVR for that matter. Why are you quoting a 7.5"x18" rim size, sounds narrow for a 18" rim, is this something you are planning or have bought? Rich...

[graham 500]

Yes it is on a Griff 98 model. I have been quoted for 7x17 on the front with 215x40x17 and 7.5x18 on the rears with 225x35x18. The wheels I have been quoted for are TSW Reflex which according to the supplier the only 18" wheel for the rear, with the correct offset is the 7.5x18 which according to him the widest tyre you can fit is a 225, although I would prefer a much wider tyre he told me that although they make a 8x18 Reflex wheel it is not made with the correct offset. I assume he knows what he is talking about but I would be interested if you know any different....

[RichB]

graham 500 said: I have been quoted for are TSW Reflex which according to the supplier the only 18" wheel for the rear, with the correct offset is the 7.5x18 which according to him the widest tyre you can fit is a 225... I assume he knows what he is talking about...

Don't assume anything, this guy clearly doesn't! I run 8" wide rims with 255 width tyres at the back of my Griff - no problems, I cannot believe he is suggesting a 225 on the back of a Griffith they are tail happy at the best of times. Take a look in my profile for details of my wheels & tyres or look on my web site. There are plenty of people on here running diufferent wheels on Griffs and Chimaeras TSW's included but I doubt any use 225's at the back. Rich...

[CraigAlsop]

RichB said: There are plenty of people on here running diufferent wheels on Griffs and Chimaeras TSW's included but I doubt any use 225's at the back. Rich...

My Chimaera 450 has had 225/50s on the back since new ( 2.5 years ago)
I find it handles excellently - probably makes things more stable in the rain as well.
I don't find that it has less traction than other Griffs/Chimaeras with bigger rubber...

[19560]

Normal wheel sizes for 17" retro-fits are 7.5x17 on the front with a 215/40ZR17 tyre and 8.5x17 on the rear with a 245/40ZR17.
A 255/35 would be a tyre option for 18" wheels at the rear.
Try Image or Compomotive for wheel manufacturers.

[RichB]

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My Chimaera 450 has had 225/50s on the back since new ( 2.5 years ago)

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I stand corrected. But I Wouldn't want 225 on the back of mine, also why take the width of the tyre down by 1 inch because it is a larger diameter? Doesn't make sense? R...

[boosted ls1]

Ribbed, girlfriend swears by them.

[greenv8s]

I find 245 is too wide for the standard 7.5/16 rims, 225 works much better. 245s tend to roll off the rim and squirm too much under heavy cornering, you can feel the wheel hopping as you load it up. 225s fit with less sidewall distortion, stay flat under havy cornering and actually produce more lateral grip.

[jellison]

Michelin Pilots std 500 size - last a long time on back, and I drive it v.hard, not the softest - but too much grip is boring in any case!

[CraigAlsop]

greenv8s said: I find 245 is too wide for the standard 7.5/16 rims, 225 works much better. 245s tend to roll off the rim and squirm too much under heavy cornering, you can feel the wheel hopping as you load it up. 225s fit with less sidewall distortion, stay flat under havy cornering and actually produce more lateral grip.

Cool. Maybe that is why my Chimaera seems to handle better than some other Griffs/Chims that I have been in, rather than anything else in the geometry/setup department...
I assume that the downside is slightly less dry straightline traction.

[shpub]

Interesting.... I had 225 on my spare set of wheels and 245s on the others.... Give me the 245s anyday.

Pete is running a V8S with trailing arm rear suspension so that could explain the difference.

steve