165/80TR15 tires

rsperko · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject: 165/80TR15 tires

I found tires at Tirerack.com with this size. I know the 165/15 is right, I recognize the TR is ok, the only thing I am worried about is the "80" I understand that to be the sidewall, but is that the correct number for the sidewall?

Here is the link to the tire:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=K...mp;place=0

Thank you,
-Rick
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63 Ragtop - L380

Glenn · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:28 pm Post subject:

I think a 165-15 is actually has a 82 aspect ratio (165/82-15).
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rsperko · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:44 pm Post subject:

As I understand it, that would be 2 millimeters shorter sidewall. Since the overall size of the tire is the same, would that just be the curve of the tire? I am sincerely asking, I got alot of dry rot on my current tires (63 ragtop just brought home today).
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63 Ragtop - L380

doubledoor64 · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 9:36 pm Post subject:

the 80 or 82 is the aspect ratio

so to break it down its not the height of the sidewall in mm

it's the percentage of the width (165mm sidewall 2 sidewall and not tread)
that makes up the height

so per say a 196-65 and a 205-60 are going to be real close to the same height because the 5% difference in aspect ratio ismade up by the difference in width

glutamodo · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:03 am Post subject:

Also note that depending on manufacturer, tire heights can and will vary. I know this because every time over the years when I've put new tires on my 62, I check the odometer and speedometer variance and they are never the same (never bought the same brand twice)

for examples, Coker tire sells different 165SR15, 165R15, 165HR15 (but no 165/80TR15)tires. There is a tire size selector on their website, and if you click on "view details" they give a diameter specs for each, and you'll note they vary a bit from brand to brand. Compare those to the original bias ply tires they sell in stock size 560-15 (and 600-15)

http://cokertire.com/store/customer/search.php?tire_size=165R15&in_category=108&x=7&y=9

rsperko · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:37 am Post subject:

In other words "No Rick, do not buy 165/80TR15 tires, they wont fit".

Thank you everyone,
-Rick
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63 Ragtop - L380

iowegian · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:22 am Post subject:

hlwimmer · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:08 am Post subject:

this is what i'm running on my 4.5in rims: http://www.nankangtyres.com.au/prodDetail.php?pid=28 ... i wish they were a little wider to grip the road better, but without new rims, a narrowed beam and other mods, it likely wont happen. i can't find a 175 or 185 that's tall enough (and i'm not sure 185s would fit on a 4.5in rim anyway... esp. without rubbing issues). to the previous point, these seem like a good deal on a tire that's close to the original size. would be interested in performance comparisons against the nankang tire. the solid center rib in the kumho looks like an improvement.

rsperko · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:06 am Post subject:

That is great news. Thank you. The other nice thing about these tires will be taking my stock 63 up to the 118mph the tires are rated to Wink

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63 Ragtop - L380

doubledoor64 · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:53 am Post subject:

rsperko · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:01 am Post subject:

doubledoor64 · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:35 pm Post subject:

rsperko · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:57 am Post subject:

Wouldn't that be better since the original tires were narrower than 165R15? Maybe it will fit better in the spare area too!

Thank you for your input on this I obviously do not want to get tires that wont fit my car.

-Rick
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63 Ragtop - L380

Alan Willis · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:59 am Post subject:

For a close match to stock height tires, you will want a 155 r 15, not 165. Also the "T" in TR is the tires speed rating, not a variance in tire sidewall height. A 165 15 is a 165 15, it doesn't matter who makes the tire
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glandnut · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:15 am Post subject:

165/15 = 24.74" diameter
Play around with a tire calculator if you want some slightly wider tires that have a close diameter to stock.
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hlwimmer · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:28 am Post subject:

the nankang-812 165/80R15s commonly sold at many VW parts houses work well on my 63, front and back.

for me, 135/145/155 were a bit too narrow for me and since none are 5.60-15 bias-ply, they aren't any more "original" than the 165s. the 165s fit well in the spare-tire well (tight, but they fit)... i'm currently looking into performance upgrades (wider tires, wider rims, etc.), but for stock-ish 4in or 4.5in rims, these are the goods.

in theory, (modern) 155s (155/80R15) would be smaller in diameter than their 165 cousins, which wouldn't be ideal... in fact, the nankang-803s are about 30mm shorter than the 812s. there was tire sold by btlmx in a 155 size, but the site's gone under and no one posted the diameter... here's a link to the discussion.

do yourself a quick favor and get the kumhos or nankangs... they're cheap and as close to stock diameter as you'll conveniently find (without importing them from a far off land or waiting for an NOS set to pop up...). they fit well and will be a bit "safer" then their skinnier cousins... or you can be truly original and buy coker bias plys or vintage michelins.... at about 25.4-25.8in in diameter, but 4X the cost of your kumhos.

now go get some tires and drive your car. it's a nice day.

edit: added url

xathor · Samba Member Joined: February 23, 2006 Posts: 221

i bought my 165/80-15's off tire rack, the kuhmo's.. i like them a lot. and they chirp nicely Twisted Evil

sammyphsyco · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:03 am Post subject:

I'm running nankags, they fit fine no rubbing quit worrying about it get some new shoes for that ride and enjoy it.
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sbnova · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:14 pm Post subject:

I have those tires on the front of my 71' Chevy Nova. Theyre pretty good tires. They drive nice even with my V-8 over them, and they seem to be wearing great too.
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DrDarby · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:07 pm Post subject:

165/80R15 are the original tires on my '79 I just looked at the original Continantal spare. They will work fine and are a direct replacement tire for the 6.00x15. The 5.60x15 on older cars direct radial replacement is a 155/R15 or 155/80R15 but the 165's will work fine too and are the common replacement tire.
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