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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Type of Tires (Tyres)

I have one of a hand full of factory BGT-V8's in the USA. It is time to replace the tires (tyres). It currently sports Pirelli 175-SR 14's, however these are virtually impossible to obtain. Any advice of tire (tyre) size for replacements would be much appreciated!!
Richard

One needs local knowledge of the US market to answer this properly. Can you get hold of 185/70 x 14s?
David Smith

David:
Thank you for your response! I've looked at a tire lisiting I have and Yokohama and Firestone, among others, makes a 185/70SR-14. Is that a good replacement tire for an MGB-GT V8?
Richard

The main issues - will a wider tyre fit OK on the standard rims (I assume you have standard V8 wheels)
and is the rolling diameter of the new tyre chosen close enough to the original spec to keep the speedo accurate thus avoiding the hassle of recalibration. Also will a larger size still clear the bodywork / wheelarches under all driving and load conditions ?
The first two are easily answered, although I don't have original standard figures with me at work but sites like http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/2195/tyre_bible.html
and http://powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi
should sort you out. The last issue comes up a lot usually along the lines of 'whats the largest tyre I can squeeze under standard bodywork' and you will find masses of threads and info in the archives.....
HTH
David Smith

Richard,
Good to hear from you! I'm another Factory car owner here in the States, out here in California. I purchased 175/14 Michelin MX4 Rain Force tires for my car. It isn't on the road yet, so I haven't been able to check the performance, but several other folks in our local Club have them and like them. I don't want to go to a larger tire because I am doing a concours restoration, and I also think a larger footprint can reduce the nimbleness of the steering.

Another question - I am tracking down all the Factory V-8s in North America, a task begun by Dan Suter from upstate New York (he's currently on a 2 year assignment in London). I have been in contact with the V8 Registry in the UK, and they are behind the effort as well. Could you e-mail me offline with details of your car and your contact details? I have thought about starting a small newsletter for Factory V8 owners here in North America. Also, did you happen to buy a small painted glass "suncatcher" with the MG V-8 registry logo on it recently? I bought one off Ebay, and when I contacted the woman that made them I was curious why she would have produced such an obscure item - she said she got a request from a guy in New Jersey with a Factory V8. Could that be you by any chance?

Hi to David S as well.

Cheers!
Paul Kile
Teal Blue GD2D1-889G

home e-mail gtv8@jps.net
work e-mail Paul.Kile@Aerojet.com
Paul Kile

The closest tire diameter to the factory 175/14 is the 185/70R14. If you are worried about an exact match for diameter, most tire retailers have a reference book that lists actual tire diameters. As for width, the 185/70 is slightly wider and will allow for better cornering.

I personally prefer Bridgestone tires. After working for a retailer for a few years and not seeing ONE tire come back with a defect, I am sold! That's not to mention the excellent handling characteristics of their performance line.
Jeff.
Jeff Schlemmer

I'm in love with the 195/60x14 Dunlop D60/A2 tires on Minotor alloy rims from Victoria British. I guess I've got to get a life. But they're comfortable, quiet when being thrown around and cheap (<$50 ea.). The ideal date? Maybe thats why I'm in love.
Derek Nicholson

If you want performance then may I suggest the Kumho tire 195X60X14 cost $95 This is the same tire approved by SCCA Dot tire for the Miata Spec Class It's one of the bes tires I have own. this tires are in same category as the BFG g-Force T/A R1 and Yokohama A032R The Kumho last longer.
If you just want a tire then any other brand with less than 300 thread wear would do just fine. Pirelli are too heavy about 35lbs per tire, Good year are about the same Kumho weights about 26 lbs, they do required a break in period.
R/Bill G.
Bill Guzman

Remember that 195 series tires will NOT fit into the spare tire well of the GT V-8! One of the many sordid POs of my factory car put 195s all the way around, including the spare. The spare tire load floor had to be forced closed in order to latch the Dzus fasteners. I ended up with a permanent crease in the hardura lining under the wooden load floor. I replaced the lining as part of the restoration, and have gone back to 175 series tires.

Cheers,
Paul Kile
(undoing many years of mistakes and neglect - finally can see the end of the tunnel)
Paul Kile

Re the above. Why not use a 175 as a spare only? I've actually gone to a Saab high pressure "donut" in my roadster, to gain a little precious trunk space. $10 Canadian at the scrapyard.
Derek Nicholson

195/60VR14 Eagle F1s/6Jx14 Minilites on the GT, Pirelli P600VR14 (I think)/6J Minilites on the Roadster.
I too have the Saab spacesavers. You can put one behind the seats in a Roadster and save room - but be careful it doesnt foul the seatbelts. With these size tyres on the rear the wheel arch lips should be folded up and a Panhard is a good idea.
BobP
Bob Hemingway

I haven't experienced any rear wheel arch fouling at all, even with the sagged rear spring fitted as standard to the 'B and no Panhard rod. Maybe the Minitor wheels have a different offset to the Minilites.
Derek Nicholson

This thread was discussed between 12/10/2000 and 01/11/2000

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