rear tire size

Dwight · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 9:54 am Post subject: rear tire size

ok i have a stock 1600 d/p and stock ah 4.12 irs transmission in a long body buggy. i am looking for info about rear tires. i want to fill in the rear fenders, and was looking at 275/60r15 tires. the tires are 28 inches tall. will this combination work ok or should i use 255/60r15 that are 27 inches tall.

LeeVW · Samba Member Joined: June 14, 2006 Posts: 1016

Either will work OK in first through third gear, but you will likely find that fourth gear is way too tall with either diameter tire. A switch to a 4.37 ring and pinion will help, but it wasn't enough with my buggy running 235/75R15 rear tires.

I went the expensive route with lower third and fourth gears in addition to the 4.37 R&P. In hindsight, I wish I had gone with a 4.86 R&P and left the others gears stock. True, the 4.37 is stronger than the 4.86, but I don't thrash on my buggy too much and the 1.00 aftermarket fourth gear whines quite a bit.

Lee

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 1:37 pm Post subject:

I use 275/60/15's with an IRS 4.13 transaxle and a bone stock 1600 single port engine.
It will roll up to 60-65 with little effort but it does struggle to make it to 75-80 mph.
I think the overall bad aero on the car is whats fighting more than the ratios.
The car is much lighter than a Beetle and the low power engine benefits from that so the taller ratio and tires are not noticed as much.
I notice major improvement in high speed performance with mine on warmer drier days than cooler damp days...

Its great around town.. and to 55, which is where it stays the most.

Ratios really going depend on the overall driving plans..
.
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EVfun · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 3:45 pm Post subject:

Part of your gearing needs are about the motor. With a near stock 1600 DP motor I found that a 27.5 inch rear tire and a 4.375 R&P (stock 40 hp box) worked great. Even with a little power pully the oil temp ran not more than 110 F over ambient. I remember seeing the Stevens pass ahead sign and smashing the throttle in4th. I accelerated up that grade from 60 mph to 80 mph.

If you have a cammed up motor the lack of low end would likely make that gearing to tall.

With a light buggy would bet that a 27 inch tall rear tire would work with a stock cam 1600 or larger motor and the slightly taller 4.125 R&P. I wouldn't recommend the power pully though.
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Dwight · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 3:54 pm Post subject:

I am currently running 235/60r15 in the rear and the buggy is nice and zippy,it also pulls good on the hills. I really like this combination but the tires are way to small.it doesnt look good

andk5591 · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 4:06 pm Post subject:

clonebug · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 10:08 pm Post subject:

I never had any trouble with pulling my 275/60-15 tires with a stock 1600 DP.
It would cruise 70 nicely but after 80 it was slow accelerating.

I have a 1679cc turbo now and it is perfect gearing. I can cruise 70 mph at 3100 rpm all day without issue and climb Stevens pass at 60 mph effortlessly.
Boost is only a slight push of the throttle at that rpm so it will double the hp as soon as I put the pedal to the floor.
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LeeVW · Samba Member Joined: June 14, 2006 Posts: 1016

Wetstuff · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 6:38 am Post subject:

Dwight.. What are your fronts? (trying to get an idea of that your perspective is of 'what's too small'.) Thanks.

Jim
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Dwight · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 6:47 am Post subject:

front tires are 195/65r15 on 6 inch wide wheels and the rears are 8 inches wide

andygere · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 6:57 am Post subject:

I just put 275 60 15s on my buggy running a stock 1600 DP. She runs good, with decent power through the gears and happy to cruise at 65. The fill the wheel wells nicely and give that classic fat tire buggy look. Fronts are 205 60 15. I wanted 195s, but BFG isn't making them in this tire anymore.

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EMPIImp69 · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 10:17 am Post subject:

Bennym777 · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 8:15 pm Post subject:

Do you need spacers or any mods to run 275 size tires? I have 225 and they look tight..

didget69 · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 9:40 pm Post subject:

I went with these tires in a 235/70-15 rear & 185/60-15 front combo...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=G...;tab=Specs

bnc
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andygere · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 10:36 pm Post subject:

I'm not running any spacers or adapters on my rear drums. The rear wheels are 15 x 8 with 4.5" back spacing. The back spacing dimension is critical for a good fit. Too much and you may have interference issues, and too little will leave a lot of tire hanging out beyond the body. Every buggy us different, but it's easy to measure before you buy.


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