Increased Wheel Diameter w/ Stock 2.1L Engine

[ledogboy]

[E1]

I'll let Waldi reply, but only two of my eleven points were about wheels...
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[erdonline]

[alanmacleod2]

[IdahoDoug]

For a street car with 95 hp designed with 185 r14, or 195 tires there is no overall benefit to handling or performances attributable to larger tires. In fact, a lot of degradation to handlng and performance happens along with reduced acceleration power and braking power, more fuel use, etc when you add larger/wider tires. I remain with my contention that I could easily outrun a matching Vanagon to mine on a track or any road race if the only difference was you put larger tires on yours. Easy, and I'd bet my title against yours.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[E1]

I only have 82 hp, so, decline.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[IdahoDoug]

Yeah, the supposed benefits of larger and wider tires are simply not there for a low powered vehicle like the Vanagon. In fact they're not really there for an ordinary modern vehicle, either.

Here are just a few negatives off the top of my head you should know of for larger/wider tires that degrade performance vs stock tires:

• Increased unsprung weight.
• Altered tire spring/bounce rate vs factory springs chosen for original tire size.
• Lessened ability to put power to road due to loss of leverage from larger diameter.
• Greater tire rolling resistance and air resistance.
• Greater air resistance as vehicle is taller cruising down the road.
• Higher roll center and center of gravity.
• More strain on all drivetrain components.
• Less tire-contributed stability against road irregularities and wind input.

If you'd like to discuss these in depth, I'd be interested in carrying to a new thread specifically about impacts of larger tires on performance, but it's simply not a supportable statement to say "My 95hp Vanagon performs better on larger tires."

Doug
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[DometicLover]

[Ahwahnee]

[E1]

I'm putting 35" tires on for my race with Doug.

I really hate to see grown men cry.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[crazyvwvanman]

Agreed, that 215/65R16 size works well and has become my favorite due to the large number of tires available in that size with an XL rating. Plus I insist on 5 matching tires on my fleet and it also is an easier fit into the front spare area than the slightly larger tires I used to mostly run.

Mark

[tjet]

edited

[IdahoDoug]

Well, I may be Mr. Safety but that is one kick ass Syncro and my first reaction was a low "sweeeeeeeeeet!" under my breath. That's really high - I also remember getting a kick out of my head in my stock Syncro being higher than almost all stock SUVs and many with lifts. It's a small but meaningful thing!

Doug
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[tjet]

edited

[danfromsyr]

I just want to drive around with an oil drum chained to the top.
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[E1]

Busdigger Monster Bus, gotta have.

Sweet ride, tjet, enjoy that bad boy.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[tjet]

edited

[E1]

Tjet, Ibex Dunes?

Been to the Park over fifty times. Seriously. Pitching another book about it soon, our favorite place on earth.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[lucianosanchez]

It sure did. On that note, I want bigger tires Some KO2's would be nice
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1983.5 Aussan Brown Westfalia | 2016 to 2020
1983.5 Beige Westfalia | 2019 to Current

[Zeitgeist 13]

I'm running 215/70-16 up front and 225/70-16 in the rear--staggered rims.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?