DeTomaso Mailing List: May 1997, Message #95
     



From: "Jim Firanzi" <firanzi@erols.com>

Subject: Re: Handling and Tire/Wheel Selection

Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 13:07:54 -0400



Jack,



Thanks for the advice.  Any thoughts on tire induced understeer exaggerated

by the excessively large tires in the rear?  What are you running on your

car?



As far as my ' 72, it's about as stiff as you can get right now.  Poly

bushings

all around, Koni's adjusted to stiff setting.  Ask Mike Drew... his comment

when driving it was something about being near "go-cart ride" if I remember

right~!



Is there anyone on the list who changed from narrow to wide tires and who

would be willing to comment on the differences in handling, both at the

limit

in a turn and on freeway / secondary roads?



Thanks,



Jim

----------

> From: JDeRyke@aol.com

> To: firanzi@erols.com; detomaso@wgate.com

> Subject: Re: Handling and Tire/Wheel Selection

> Date: Saturday, May 03, 1997 4:02 AM

>

> Jim, you can safely run a 245-50x 15 Goodyear Eagle Gatorback or equiv.

on

> the stock 8" in front, clearing everything & no flares. Your idea of the

16"

> rear XGT 315-40 is OK, too, if the tire is V- or Z-rated, or you have

> superhuman control of your emotions. Most guys that opt for giant tires

do so

> partly to make room for equally giant brakes, and the 16" wheels won't

clear

> rotors much bigger in dia. than stock. The front rotors must obviously

stay

> stock dia. Second drawback to huge meats (other than cost): the car will

> 'wagon-track' or follow pavement lines much more than somewhat narrower

> tires. 3rd negative: the shorter the profile, the stiffer the ride will

> become. My advice: see if you can borrow a drive in a car rigged like you

> think you want, compared to another that is running more conservative

tire

> sizes. Be sure to go on secondary roads as well as freeway, too. Let

Debra

> try to parallel-park the thing. Then, make an informed decision. J DeRyke