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Triumph TR3 - wider tires

I'm considering putting 175/70/R15 tires on for a wider footprint/better road grip. This size has an overall dia. of 24.8" which is almost exactly what the original 155's were, therefore resulting in proper instrument readings. The 165/80's most of us use have a dia. of 25.39". Hense the spare compartment fitting problem?
Anyway, before I borrow one and do a test fit on the car, just wanted to know if anyone has tied this, and will there be any fender rubbing problems as a result.

Hard to find size,("they don't make those anymore") but did locate some Michelin X's and some Avon's (UK).
thanks

mike

First, ground clearance. Not much of a difference, depends on your roads mostly. If you have an overdrive, so much the better. I have always had 165 radials on the TR3's, but my TR4 came with little bias plys. They looked cool, wide whitewall, but I was so thrilled when I put some cheap Kumho and Cooper fresh 165's on it. They don't make them anymore means the rubber's not the freshest. You'll probably never wear them out, but nice, pliable rubber is a life saver in the wet (could happen). I'd go with brand new VW bug tires (you could go 155's if you want, even 135 for the spare).

The Avons have a pretty curve to them, don't they? If the car's a show toy, use those!
Tom

No show toy Tom, just a nice driver that I want to be aggressive with now and then.
I'm in the middle of a body do-over and when it comes time for and engine rebuild, I plan on a performance upgrade - hense the bigger tire question. I'm buying them now to mount on my new wires wheels...
Lets get the rubber on the road, man!
mike

The spare tire fit seems to be more width than diameter. I like the looks of 165/80's on the 3. But they don't fit in the spare hole very well. I put the floor jack in the spare tire hole, and tweaked it enough to squeeze in a 165, but I may never get it out, LOL. You can't fault Michelins in my opinion, never owned Avons. If you don't have overdrive and you take long trips, bigger diameter is better. The speedometer will probably swing 5 MPH either way of your speed, so I wouldn't get anal about the reading.
Tom

I have put 195/65 Michelin Harmony's on TR6 rims on my 3a and they fit.
As far as a spare, if your serial number is < 60,000 the compartment only takes a 155 without a squeeze. After 60K it is bigger and takes a 165 OK.
Some people have used space-saver spares from modern cars on a TR3 rim in their spare compartment. These are a 135 or 145 width, and are easy to find at a wrecker's in barely or never used condition.
Jim
J. S. Wallace

JS: 195's huh? Must be a man-handler at low speeds. Where did you get your Michelin Harmony's?
I found 175/70 Michelin X's in the midwest(US)but can't find any other sources for this size except in the UK.











mike

I got the Michelins in Sherbrooke Quebec. They are 24.8" diameter.
Can't comment on the handling as the car isn't on the road yet but soon!! as I have been saying for 8 years....
Jim

http://www.michelinman.ca/assets/pdfs/doc_harmony.pdf
J. S. Wallace

This thread was discussed between 30/04/2005 and 04/05/2005

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