Just wondering about Michelin Defender tires. .Some almost new ones for sale 185 65 15 on kijiji .I.'m running 165 r 15's on my TR2 on TR6 rims and the wheel well looks properly filled out. I''ve got a TR3 project and want to know  how close the overall height of the two tires would compare since smaller tires would affect the revs at higher speed. As everyone probably knows TR's rev high with stock tires as is let alone smaller tires.Any ideas on relative size .Any opinions on the tire itself . I'm not fussy on the tread design but it's not crucial. Thanks Tim

The 185/65-15 would be shorter.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/45_conversionchart.jsp

How much shorter? Use a tire size comparison calculator & use 82 as the aspect ratio for your 165s (165/82-15).

There are lots of tire size calculators out there Tim.
I use the one at 1010tires.com.
Mostly because its a local company, but also because it lets me compare a few sizes at a time.
It also gives %age differences in mph readings which lightens the load on us old slide rule guys.

Cheers
Fred

Thanks guys .Will let you know

I've kind of decided to try to find some 165 80 15 radial tires to run on TR6 15 inch rims which is what I have on my old TR2. The only tread design I like is on the Nankang tire of that size and the only reviews I can find are from passenger car drivers of bigger size cars and tires that have bought Nankang tires.Besides that they are not very expensive even in American dollars. So what I'm saying is would anybody out there put them on a sports car for even slightly fast and spirited driving on an occasional basis  Thanks Tim

I guess that would depend on your definition of spirited driving.  You certainly would not be able to keep up on the tail of the Dragon with those tires.  

If that is all you can find that works for your application, you should test them out in a vacant parking lot before hitting the back roads.

Hi Carl . Thanks for the reply. What makes you say that? Are they a poorly constructed tire or are you saying 165 is not wide enough? My TR2 has Kelly Springfield 165 R 15  tires and they have always been fine bit not available anymore.I used to drive around 80 mph when I was younger.Still do but much slower in corners due to my age and reaction time. Also Canadian driving fines have gone way up so it risky business. I want to sell this car when its finished and want to have safe rubber on it . 195 65  15 is available in a better grade of tire but almost too big for the look or a classic TR3 ..I decided 185 70 R 15 would be just right but nobody makes that size anymore.Sorry to go on so long but it seems to be a complicated  question. Thanks for listening Tim

Tim,

Tire rack has P6000 in 185-70-15. Not a true performance tire but it's better than lots.

The tires you picked, Tim,  have tall, soft sidewalls & a high treadwear number.  Not good for slinging it thru the corners.  I'm sure they will give a soft ride & be fine for tooling around.  May be perfectly fine for 85-90 % of LBC owners, but performance rubber, it ain't.

Carl,

I'm coming up on nine years on my tires, so I'l need to replace them soon. Any recommendations?  I'm running 215-60-15 rear, 195-60-14 front.

Tread wear ain't  a factor.

Time to buy a set of 15" wheels for the front, Dan.  There is no more serious 14" rubber.

With your oddball sizes, instead of sticky Summer tires you will likely have to settle for an all season touring tire like these.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Fuzion&tireModel=Touring+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29&partnum=96HR4FZTOUR&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=AltiMAX+RT43+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29&partnum=96HR4AMRT43&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Riken&tireModel=Raptor+HR&partnum=96HR4RHR&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Oops!  The fronts are 15" as well.  Fat finger syndrome.

Okay. I didn't remember you having 14s on the front.  Mikey used to run like that.

This is one of my favs for extreme summer performance tire.  Problem is the best sticky tires usually don't come in a non-performance oriented sidewall like the your 60 series. Usually 55 & down.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+ZII+Star+Spec

Here's a Tire Rack custom search with your sizes.  Nothing sticky, but some good touring choices.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?zip-code=&frontWidth=195/&frontRatio=60&frontDiameter=15&rearWidth=215/&rearRatio=60&rearDiameter=15

QuoteThis is one of my favs for extreme summer performance tire. Problem is the best sticky tires usually don't come in a non-performance oriented sidewall like the your 60 series. Usually 55 & down.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+ZII+Star+Spec

+1

I've been enjoying them year round in a temperate climate. They're better than expected on wet reads, and certainly much better all around than Falken Azenis tires I ran previously.

Hi Mike .I checked theP6000 185 70 15 tires at Tire Rack and like the size but not the price. 190 us.    isn't where I want to be . I'm more comfortable at 100 cdn. I like Carl's recomendation of 195 60 15  performance tires although they are slightly shorter than 195 65 15.. The car I'm working on will have an overdrive so that will compensate and those tires are a lot cheaper. Hello Carl,,,How is it you know so much about tires .I certainly appreciate the help TimJust as an after thought ,how can I find some good 165 80 15 tires just in case this car gets sold with  4 1/2  48 spoke wheels. That way I can run wires or TR6 rims , That is the perfect solution

I installed the General RT43 tire in 175-65x15 on my Sunbeam Alpine.  They were very squirmy when new but settled down after a few thousand miles.  I chose them because they had the narrowest tread width of any 15" tire I could find as I am rapidly loosing upper body strength and need the lighter steering effort.  Considering the size of the car, that size is plenty big.

We use the car for touring and they are working out just fine.  

Bill

Hello Bill .Thanks for the info on the General Tire and will check them out.What rim width are we talking about and while I think of it would a  5 1/2 rim like the TR6 has make a taller sidewall like a 75 series more stable? Tim

This probably should ga along with the Ackerman post.