Forum Home / Tyres / MGB performance tyres

27/02/2012 12:06:46
Mark Bostock
I have just had a superb day at Goodwood with MGOT and am looking at the tyres thinking they could be better! Currently on Uniroyal Rallye which are about 21 years old it's wearing 175 70 R14 on 72 spoke wires with an inner tube. Can anyone advise what I should replace these with? Mainly for dry use on road and occasionally track. They need to look right on a 1964 B, I don't want them very high tech looking. I need new brake pads too, but thats another thread, unless you have the answer.
28/02/2012 21:37:22
Martin C
[quote=Mark Bostock]I need new brake pads too, but thats another thread, unless you have the answer.[/quote] Hi Mark, I can't help with the tyres, but have a look here for the brakes, [URL="http://www.motoringclassics.co.uk/"]http://www.motoringclassics.co.uk/[/URL] It is the British Motor Heritage site, under the brakes section open the Power Stop brake kits bit. The MGB kit I found very good on R/B BGT, the pads offer 25% bigger braking area than standard pads BUT still using the original standard calipers.
02/03/2012 13:23:19
Dave P
HI Mark, If your tyres are 21 years old I would replace them ASAP! That is way beyond their working life; I think that 8 to 10 years is the reccommended maximum. I use Camskill (camskill.co.uk) for tyres and get them fitted locally; they have a wide range of 175/70/R14 from about £35 to £65 but before buying it would be worth checking that they can be used with inner tubes. I have Falken on my Midget's road wheels which seem fine but use Toyo 888's on the track which are not good in very wet conditions. Check your wheel spokes as well if you have not already done this; a collapsed wheel on a fast corner on track would be quite exciting! Regards Dave
06/07/2012 14:02:02
Paul
[b]Toyo R888's on Wire Wheels[/b] [COLOR=black][SIZE=3][FONT=Arial]Hi, I am looking to change to Toyo R888 R14 – 185/60 on my B which has 14 X 5.5J 72 Spoke wires fitted.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][SIZE=3][FONT=Arial]Has anyone else had experience of this or similar combination? And any advice on tube size used would also be very much appreciated.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][SIZE=3][FONT=Arial]Cheers,[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][SIZE=3][FONT=Arial]Paul.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]
17/07/2012 16:00:19
gavinsmith
Paul, I run 185 x 60 R14 Yokohama A539s on my BGT, on minilite replica 14 inch 5.5J wheels (no tubes, so I can't comment on that). I've been pretty happy with them, especially as they only cost £29 each. They grip pretty well when heated up but aren't great in the wet (though I don't think any track-oriented tyres really are). I don't think the Yokos are available in this size any more, so I'll probably go for the Toyo R888s or Yokohama A048s (which are much more expensive, I think) when I replace them in a year or so. Your speedo will over-read a bit if your OEM tyres were 70 profile, but not by much (it'll show 70 when you're doing 67 or something like that). I don't think my speedo is so accurate that it matters. You'll probably notice a slighly less compliant ride as well, but again, nothing too drastic. Let me know if you go for the 888s in the end, and what sort of a deal you get. I've never seen them for less than £70 or so, so if you manage to find them for much less, I'd be interested to know. All the best, Gavin
17/07/2012 21:25:24
Paul
[COLOR=black][FONT=Arial]Hi Gavin,[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Arial]Many thanks for your reply, good to hear that R14 60 Profile are working well on your B.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Arial]I have been using 185 R14 65 profile Falken ZE326 tyres for the last 5 years, so the jump down to 60 profile shouldn’t be too great I guess. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Arial]I have ordered a set of R888’s from Camskill Tyres, got a good deal, including a set of tubes. They are due to be delivered in about two weeks. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Arial]I will keep my eye out for some S/H wheels for winter use with the existing tyres. I guess painted 72 spoke wires will be most likely option, but if I end up with some knock on steel or alloy wheels I will probably use those for the track tyres.[/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Arial] Looking forward to seeing what difference the new rubber makes.[/FONT] [COLOR=black][FONT=Arial]All the best,[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Arial]Paul.[/FONT][/COLOR]
30/07/2012 11:42:43
gavinsmith
Hi Paul, I'm assured by others that the improvement in grip will be pretty impressive, so I hope they work well. I saw these (see pic) on a B at Shelsley Walsh at the weekend - would probably make a good road/track tyre if you needed something for more 'everyday' use. Best, Gavin
02/08/2012 21:31:23
Paul
[COLOR=black][FONT=Arial]Thanks for that Gavin, Those tyres look good and I guess bolt on wheels would give more options for wheels & tyres.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT=Arial]My R888’s arrived today, looking forward to getting them fitted on the car and seeing the difference they make on the road and track. Fingers crossed for another dry day at Donington in October!:) Paul. [/FONT][/COLOR]