Miata Mailing List: January 1994, Message #67
sponsored by



     


   From: miq@teleport.com (Miq Millman)
Subject: Re: WANTED: steel wheels
   Date: Thu, 6 Jan 1994 16:40:50 -0500

> I've got a '91 and would like to get hold of some new or used steel wheels so I 
> can mount winter tires and preserve the santity of my pretty aluminum ones.  
> There seems to be a local shortage (I assume short term) of these.  Anyone have 
> any for sale?
> 

Instead of looking for miata rims, go to a You-pull-it type junk yard and
buy some 13" rims from a honda.  The bolt pattern is correct but the offset
is a bit different (increasing your track which is a good thing  IMHO).
Then get some snow tires in 175/70/13, these will be within 1% change of
diameter adn tehhe skinnier tread width will help traction in the snow as
well.  I have seen honda rims go for $4 to $6 at most places in Oregon,
your area should be similar.

Specification  Sidewall  Radius  Diameter  Circumference  Revs/Mile Difference
185/60-14         4.4in  11.4in    22.7in         71.4in        887	 0.0%
175/70-13         4.8in  11.3in    22.6in         71.1in        891	-0.4%

I have Nokia Hakkapalita 10's in this size this year and am much happier
with them then the 186/65/14's on panasports I had last year.  The skinnier
tire is better.  Also make sure you have studs on the rears for the ice, it
makes a big difference.

Lastly putting snows on the rear only is very dangerous as this causes the
car to become unstable at speeds mostly due to the difference in
construction of side wall stiffness, snow tires are very soft, the tires
most of us use on the Miata are stiff walled, you will get lots of
fishtailing if you don't change all four.


Been there, done that.



-- 
miq@teleport.COM  Public Access User --- Not affiliated with TECHbooks
Public Access UNIX and Internet at (503) 220-0636 (1200/2400, N81)
Miq Millman  see also ---> miq@wv.mentorg.com | miq_millman@rainbow.mentorg.com