At 8:07 AM -0500 2/16/01, Derek Drew wrote:
>If it were me and I was going with a 15" wheel, I would mount probably
>215x75 /15, which tire has 748 revolutions per mile and is as close as you
>are going to get but will raise you up further still, and result in worse
>acceleration, but better top speed on the higher way (higher) and better
>ground clearance. To compensate for the power loss, you can install ratio
>rockers and the ECU chip and get the best of both worlds.
>
>Without the ECU chip and ratio rockers, this big tire is somewhat of a
>strain. It is OK--others on the list use it, but it is a stretch because
>your top speed in 4th is then 77mph and you will notice increase trouble
>trouble getting up hills. If you drive you vehicle around a lot empty then
>it is better but since you have a westy it is worse. Since you mention you
>want a little height, then I guess I would say the tire 215 x 75 / 15 might
>be the best choice.
>
>Another alternative is to find a tire from another manufacturer that has
>close to the "ideal" (my estimate) compromise of 782 revolutions per mile
>and find somebody you trust that can say they are great.

What about the Michelin Agilis 51 215/65R15 tires?
(http://www.michelin-us.com/us/eng/tire/catalog/agilis.htm)  I
realize that this tire doesn't buy me any additional ground
clearance, and has a less aggressive tread, but would it be a better
tire overall?

And have you looked at the Cross Terrain series of tires from
Michelin?  (http://www.crossterrain.com/)  They also make a
215/75R15, though the tread looks less aggressive.

>I am against the general movement of the list to 15" wheels and tires
>because I believe the available tires in 14" wheel are well matched to the
>stock gearing and there isn't a strong reason for most list members to switch.
>
>Everything is different, however, if you want to change your gears, but
>that is another story. And if you have a different motor from 2.1 litre MV
>then every thing is different, but then that is a different story too.

Are there different gears available?  Or ECU chips, for that matter?
And what are 'ratio rockers'?  (I'm hoping that *someone* will come
out with new swing arms, which will give more room for the rear tire,
and perhaps allow the use of 16" wheels.  But I expect that 16"
wheels will definitely require different gearing.)

At some point I'll probably have a TDI engine installed a la Michael
Sullivan.  But that's a ways in the future.  It looks like a
Herculean task.

Ron
--
ron lussier / lenscraft                        fine art giclee prints
rlussier@lenscraft.com                      229 8th street / studio 4
                                              san francisco / ca 94103
http://www.lenscraft.com/                             +1 415.241.0815