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MG TD TF 1500 - Dunlop 15” race tires?

For the vintage race crowd ... Does Dunlop still make a 15” race tire in a size to fit our TDs and TFs? If so who do you source them from? If not what is your manufacturer of choice?

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

Hi Bill,
I use Hoosier 15" Vintage TD 5.00 (have also tried 5.50 on rears). The "TD" name is so appropriate although it has nothing to do with MG TD and I run them on a TC! Most historic guys in Australia use the Hoosiers because they fit our 70% ratio rule. I have never tried Dunlops because they have always been so expensive here. We pay about $250 AUD per Hoosier tyre here but they would be less in $US where they are made.

Cheers, Bob
R L Schapel

Bob. Thanks for your reply. I figured you would provide good advise. Are you running a 16” wire wheel or a 15”.

I’m going the have my disc wheels re-hooped with a bit wider safety rim. Dad’s TD/c will eventually get a fabricated five hole pin drive set up similar to the twin cam wheels. I was looking for Dunlop’s only because they were the OEM. I currently have a set of new metric Dunlop radials on the car but they where already old when I acquired the car. Probably will need to put them on my fast road car and get some mileage out of them before they are no longer serviceable.

Do you have the specs on the height, tread width and recommended rim size for the Hoosiers your using? Do they have different compounds available? I’ll look at the Hoosier site and see what I can find in the meantime.

Fire off an email to me so I can pick your brain a bit and do some bench racing

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151

W A Chasser

Bill,
Dunlop makes racing tires to fit the TD. Most appropriate for the TD is the 5.00L x 15. This is what most VSCCA racers on the east coast use. There is also a 5.00 x 15 which is a bit narrower. I have been racing on Avon 185x15 CRZZ series radials last two seasons. Heavier tire but a bit stickier and wear much better. Dunlops about $400 each Avons about $300 each. Specs for both are on line. You going racing? Be happy to speak with you.
Frank
F Filangeri

Bob. Thanks for your reply. I figured you would provide good advise. Are you running a 16” wire wheel or a 15”.

I’m going the have my disc wheels re-hooped with a bit wider safety rim. Dad’s TD/c will eventually get a fabricated five hole pin drive set up similar to the twin cam wheels. I was looking for Dunlop’s only because they were the OEM. I currently have a set of new metric Dunlop radials on the car but they where already old when I acquired the car. Probably will need to put them on my fast road car and get some mileage out of them before they are no longer serviceable.

Do you have the specs on the height, tread width and recommended rim size for the Hoosiers your using? Do they have different compounds available? I’ll look at the Hoosier site and see what I can find in the meantime.

Fire off an email to me so I can pick your brain a bit and do some bench racing

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

Frank Thanks for your input as well. Who is your supplier? I didn’t realize Avon made car tires. I’m used to seeing them on motorcycles and of course we use to run them on our nostalgia front engine dragster many years ago.

I’ll look at Avon as well. Can’t find info on the Dunlop’s online.

You can also email me at the link above
W A Chasser

Bill, I am using 15" wheels on my TC s/c Special. I have 4" rims on the front and 5" rims on the rear. 5" is the widest allowed for my car.I don't know the official ideal rim width for the Hoosiers but they look to be about right on my car.
I don't think there is a choice in tread compounds. If there is, I haven't heard about it. Maybe there is in the USA? I think the 5.00 x 15" Hoosiers have 70% aspect ratio (height to width). I know the 5.50 Hoosiers have the same rolling radius as the 5.00 despite the extra width. They must be a whisper under the 70% but are still regarded as "legal". I have a note in my book saying half worn Hoosiers have 78" circumference. At 6,500 rpm that gives 94 mph with a 5.125 diff, 99 mph with a 4.875 diff, 105 mph with a 4.555 diff, 114 mph With a 4.22 diff, 123 mph with a 3.9 diff and 129 mph with a 3.727 diff.
Re your rims, I have an MG factory "Special Tuning" booklet (published Dec 1951) for TDs. It lists a lot of "Special Material available through the Service department." TD 4.5" rims were listed as M.G. Part No. 131904. I assume TDs originally had 4" rims?
Feel free to send me your email address.
Bob
R L Schapel

How does sidewall section width affect handling stability on straights vs cornering? Or is it simply to be considered regarding wheel well clearances ?

Can’t find any info on the Avon tyres website. All they show are motorcycle race tyres

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

Bill. There is a company just down the street from me that does wheel rim expansions. It's a commercial shop, so I don't know if they would do a single set of rims, but if you don't have a place in Sac, it may be worth a call.
Bruce Cunha

I don’t know if Sacramento Wheel is still in business but I figured a call to Stockton Wheel would be able to do it for me How much snow did you get?

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8161
W A Chasser

Thanks Bob. I found the Hoosier tires you were speaking of. I’ve never seen a 15 x4.5 factory wheel. I’ve seen them listed in the parts book. Dad’s special order car may have them but I’ve never taken the time to measure them. I’ll have to check the wheels on my other TD/c as well. My email is hot linked in the header simply click on it

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

Bill

http://www.avonmotorsport.com/historic-tyres

My 20 cents worth--(real value 3cents)

Hoosier -good
Avon -good
Goodyear-good
All three of these seem good and can be overheated and recover quite well afterwards without destroying the tyre- Hoosier have a good range of compounds
Dunlop--probably the best grip,and a touch wider footprint compared to same size tyres in other brands but appear to be more suited to one off use, I've found they are as fast as anything or faster new ,but get a bit unpredictable 2nd or 3rd meeting--You can take a new set out and knock the tops off them ready for the weekend's racing and by the time the weekend comes there is sometimes a dead one that just won't hook up--very annoying-

willy
William Revit

Bill, The Avons are CR6ZZ (left out the 6!) Google it or follow Willys link. They are street legal and as good if not better than Dunlops. I can echo Willys comments about the Dunlops going "off" after 2 or 3 events. I have done two full seasons on the Avons and had my best laps ever at Limerock end of last season and they still look good. Supplier is Sasco Motorsports for all three brands.
F Filangeri

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/vintage-tyres/dunlop-racing/15/550x15-r5-dunlop-racing.html
Christopher Couper

Chris. Thank you for the link

Bob and Frank. I received each of your emails. I will respond to both of you in the next few days offline.

Thank you all.

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

Willy. I don’t know how I missed you comments. Thank you as well. Thank you all for the suppliers of these tires. I’m sure I will have more questions for all of you.

The next question that comes to mind is;
Can anyone comment as to how sidewall section width may come into play when given the same rim width? I realize it is a consideration when it comes to wheel well interference but how (or if) does it affect handling when sideloads are presented.

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

This thread was discussed between 05/02/2019 and 08/02/2019

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