TheSamba.com :: View topic - 165's or 175 55 15 and port-o-walls???

Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:50 pm

Hello, I've been a lurker for a while around here, but finally getting serious about getting a bug. I'm currently selling my Chevy wagon Lowrider and looking to get a 67 or earlier type 1. Not too bore all you's to much, but Im trying to edge-a-ma-kate myself and put together a good game plan for my project. I'll stop babbling and get to business, I'm planning on using my stock wheels with port-o-walls and Im set on using 145/65's in the front. But the rear tires are a different story, will 175/55/15's work with a port-o-wall??? or will I have to use a taller tire???

Any pics and comments would and will be greatly appreciated :wink:

Thanks k-dogg

Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:51 am

175/55 is almost identical height to 145/65 but the width they have over a stock rim might be an odd fit with ports. but that is a horrible choice of tire for the rear, you will have the engine wound out at 40mph. If you plan on going extremely low(tranny raise probably neccessary) you can use a 145-15, but typically can use a 165-15.

Sat Dec 15, 2007 9:30 pm

Thanks...I totally didnt think about the drive-line ascept :wink:

Sat Dec 15, 2007 10:25 pm

Here are afew examples of 175/55R15's

^^^^ in the front ^^^^

Real popular for the front of a slammed bus.

Sun Dec 16, 2007 9:54 pm

i have 145/65 fronts and 185/65 backs and im running portawalls. all i had to do was cut off the curb saver on the 145/65s and everything went together perfectly

Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:50 am

vw-in-neptune wrote: i have 145/65 fronts and 185/65 backs and im running portawalls. all i had to do was cut off the curb saver on the 145/65s and everything went together perfectly

What would you use to cut it off??? I was thinking a right angle die grinder with a 50grit sanding disc??

I was thinking about running 185/60's or 65's in the rear, but was wondering how it would look lowered 2 splines???

Got any pics?

Mon Dec 17, 2007 1:30 pm

i used a carpet knife to cut it off. since i had one and have the blades to go on one it just made sense. i used a griding wheel to smooth everything into on uniform shape. remember you only have to do one side of each tire. and with the knife it was less messy and smelly that the grinder. my buddy used a grinder on both of his tires and it took him about 3 hours or grinding. it took me 30 minutes all said and done. and i didnt smell like burnt rubber afterwards.

Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:12 pm

I just cut mine with a carpet knife like vwinneptune did.

Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:41 pm

carpet knives are our friends.

except mine is red

Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:27 pm

vw-in-neptune wrote: i have 145/65 fronts and 185/65 backs and im running portawalls. all i had to do was cut off the curb saver on the 145/65s and everything went together perfectly

what are portawalls? why are you cutting the curb saver?

Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:47 pm

tacky wrote: vw-in-neptune wrote: i have 145/65 fronts and 185/65 backs and im running portawalls. all i had to do was cut off the curb saver on the 145/65s and everything went together perfectly

what are portawalls? why are you cutting the curb saver?

Port-o-walls are a whitewall ring that you install under the outer lip of your rim to simulate whitewall tires. On 145/65's you need to trim the curb guard off in order for the port-o-wall to sit flat against the sidewall of the tire.

Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:32 am

Do most people run different sized tires in the back than the front? Is this because of rubbing in the front, looks, or both?

Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:13 pm

i just took a 2 inch sanding disc and sanded down my curb protector on my conti 145/65/15 to fit my porta white walls. i havnt had them mounted yet due to me still looking for some 66 type 3 wheels.

i actually took off a little more then in that pic bc a samba member said i didnt take enough. i can always take more off later if it doesnt sit flat.

and no im not using those wheels. those are my bros racing sti wheels im sandblasting and powdercoating for him. :P they are wider then 2 of my tires haha.

Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:30 pm

Anyone try this with 165-45-15's ?....probably not :)

Tom

Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:41 pm

165/45 is too small tom.

ALTHOUGH, one could very carefully trim 3/8-1/2" off the edge of a portawall to make it fit a 165/45. Still it would be tough because the white wall would touch the ground if your tire pressure drops at all, or on big bumps/turning.

worth a shot.

if anyone wants to try it, i could trim a couple ports for them.

Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:44 pm

sled wrote: 165/45 is too small tom.

ALTHOUGH, one could very carefully trim 3/8-1/2" off the edge of a portawall to make it fit a 165/45. Still it would be tough because the white wall would touch the ground if your tire pressure drops at all, or on big bumps/turning.

worth a shot.

if anyone wants to try it, i could trim a couple ports for them.

I may take you up on it...

Tom

Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:42 pm

ivsamhell wrote: 175/55 is almost identical height to 145/65 but the width they have over a stock rim might be an odd fit with ports. but that is a horrible choice of tire for the rear, you will have the engine wound out at 40mph. If you plan on going extremely low(tranny raise probably neccessary) you can use a 145-15, but typically can use a 165-15.
I'm planning on running a pair of the 175/55R15s on the front of my Square & was wondering if anyone's tried running the Portawalls on them. I would like to run a set of the redwalls on the car, but have my heart set on the 175s. Any input on this combo?

Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:14 pm

Dans73SuperDub wrote: Do most people run different sized tires in the back than the front? Is this because of rubbing in the front, looks, or both?

Rubbing when lowered is the big factor, but it plays a big part with the looks of a car also.