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RE: 4000 Quattro and other stuff..



On Thu, 4 Mar 1999, Gary Kaklikian wrote:

> I know there's been discussion before on what works better on a 4000Q - 15"
> or 16". There are a lot more tires available in 205/50-15 than 215/40-16
> (though I hear 225/40-16 is a possibility if the car hasn't been lowered).
> I like the 215/40 because it shortens the final drive a bit and provides a
> little more wheel well clearance.

	I didn't notice much of a differece at all with running shorter
tires on my 4kq.  It changed a TAD but not noticable at all.  But I dont
agree about the more wheel well clearance.  I've seen just about every
tire size imaginable on a 4kq including 18" wheels.  ANd my 205/50-15's
dont fill the wheel well as much as the 215/40-16's on Neds Daughters 4kq.
The wider tire fills more of it and the overall diameter is DANG close.  
	Oh, and you CAN fit 225s.  I've seen it but you better be running
stock ride height with STIFF springs.  This 4kq had 500lb springs on it
and it was sitting HIGHER than stock to keep from rubbing.  Of course
these tires were also taller than stock I think.  Of course, I think they
fit now, custom offsets front and back I think and he may of rolled the
fenders.  Actually, I think he has a 225-40-17 now.  Not sure exactly.

> Someone a while back  recommended using 15" instead of 16" on the track,
> though I don't know if it was because of the lighter weight or the lack of
> 16" competition tires to fit the 4000Q (I think just the Hoosiers).

	I like 15" due to weight.  But thats for Auto-X and street.  On
the TRACK I think the 16" would be better.  IF you have the suspension for
it.  Normal upgraded suspensions cant handle it.  I'll explain later in
this reply.

> I'm currenly running 205/50-15's on 7" rims on my 4000Q, with Dunlop D60's.I
> would recommend this tire to anyone looking for an all-season tire to run in
> the winter, especially when you're on snowy/icy roads less than 10% of the
> time. Definitely do not compare to super sticky summer tires, but work ok if
> you pump up the pressures. Clunk pretty bad under hard cornering,though.

	I'm not to hot on D-60's. They are a pretty good All Season but
after many miles on them in different cars I think there are better All
SEasons out there.  Yoko A509 for one.  BFG TA VR4 to name another-(dont
think that comes in 14" though)   Its a good tire, Marginal in snow (your
right about pressures) but it does thump a lot.  Dont get me wrong, its
GREAT compared to some but I think you can do better these days.  5 years
ago maybe not but now you can.

> I  found a good deal on some BBS 16" rims for the car. So now I'll be using
> 16x7.5" with Pirelli P7000 Summer (not SuperSport) very soon. 
> I don't think the extra few pounds of the 16" wheel vs the 15" should be of
> much concern for street use, especially with a stiffened suspension.   The

	What do you have.  I can tell you from personal Experience the 16"
wheels with H&R springs and Boge TG is TOO MUCH. 16" with stock springs
and Boge TG should be OK.  15" with H&R works fine too.  BTDT.  If you
have a REAL light 16" then you should be fine though.  BUT, with the Boge
TG just cant seem to handle the higher wheel rate of 16" wheels with
stiffer springs.  NOt noticably so but on a track that has a few bumps on
it, it becomes apparent.

> big disadvantage to the 16" setup is potential damage to  the rims with such
> a short stiff sidewall. Do rim protectors, such as on the Toyo T1's, really
> help?

	Dont know.  I know I dont run 16" for that reason though.  I
would have to run something like a Compomotive rim to make them survive.
:-)

> I'll post some feedback on how the 16's work vs 15's, although comparing
> D60's to any high-performance summer only tire is not really fair.

	Agreed. Also, real Performance tires weigh more than D60s would
in the same size.

> btw, Tire Rack has the P700's for only $65 in a 205/50-15! 

	WOW.  I prefer the RE-71 to the P700 but thats cheap. THe RE-71's
are like $80 each.  $65 though for 195/55-14 if you have stock wheels.
	L8R

	Todd