changing wheels

[studdyhalllooser]

its time to get new tires and im not sure what to do. i found a set of 13 inch wheels that fit no problem but im not sure if i should get tires for the 13s or stick with the original 12 inch wheels. at a purely mechanical aspect (acceleration and top end gas mileage) which would be better? the wheels dont look any better than the original 12s so looks wont matter. i know it depends on how tall the tire is so lets compare the average 12 iinch tire and average 13 inch tire (asuming the 13 is slightly taller)

[Safety Guy]

A set of the Falkens in 175/60-13 would replicate your stock ride height and give you good handling with about the same acceleration (depending on wheel weight).

A set of them in 185/60-13 would put you 8mm higher to go with your 10mm wider tires.

Some 165/70-13s would put you 1/2 inch (12mm) higher than stock. My '89L 5 speed & Aspire brakes drove fine with 165/70-13s on VW alloy rims (13 X 5.5" @ 15 pounds each wheel). This size is getting hard to find though (it was stock size for Aspires, BTW).

If you go to the more common and easily available 175/70-13s, then they're 7mm higher than the 165/70s which puts you 19mm higher than stock. IMO, that's too high.

Some equally available 155/80s would put you about the same height as the 175/70s. Again, too high, IMO.

If you want to save some money and keep your acceleration, stick to the 145-12s or 155-12s on your stock rims. (For the record, the 155/80-12s are about 8mm taller than the stock 145/80-12s.)

I wouldn't worry about tires up to say 12mm taller for everyday economical driving with fair acceleration. Go over that and you'll be bogging your car down with "big heavy boots."

Karl

[studdyhalllooser]

thanks karl...il prolly stick to stock so my speedo is corect and cheeper tires.

[Safety Guy]

Sounds good to me. If and when you put in the Aspire suspension and brakes, and/or a more powerful engine, then you should think about some significant tire & wheel upgrades.

Luxstiva's getting her B6 tomorrow, but she'll stay on 165/70-12s on front and 155/80s on the back until spring, when her Aspire suspension swap is scheduled.

I'm planning on either 165/70-13s or 165/65-13s on the 13 X 4.5" Aspire alloys for her general purpose rubber.

Karl