geo. Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I bought 14” pugs with 205/70R14 studded snows. They absolutely won’t clear the fender on my 85 BRAT (stock tire 185/70R13. I neither want to roll the fender edge nor add a lift kit. The “tire size calculator” http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html show a sidewall difference of +0.5” and a radius diff of +1.0 for these two. Now a 195/60R14 would have a near perfect fit sidewall diff of –0.5” and radius diff of 0”. QUESTION: Surely 185/70R14’s will clear at sidewall diff 0.0” and radius diff of +0.5”. Will pretty much any size tire with a radius diff of no more than +0.6” regardless of the sidewalls fit? And which size oversize tire would look the nicest on these pugs (and still fit my BRAT)? I’m talking year around non-snow tire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Abides Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 You could just lift it a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheYeti Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 A 195/60r14 will work best IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geo. Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 True gives the same radius and 1/2" less width on the sidewall. But I am hoping that 185/70R14 will fit (gives same sidewall/width and 1/2" more of radius). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html That is the best tool EVER when it comes to finding propper tire sizes. If your 205/70R14s rub, plug that in and figure out how low you'll have to go to get clearance. Dont be affraid to buy a hammer and use it. These cars were never offered with anything larger than 13" from the factory... there was probably a reason for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman2 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I cannot think of a single reason a 185/70/14 will not fit without rubbing. I ran 195/75/14 on my 87 Brat and had to trim the inside of the front mud flaps. It would hit if turning and hitting a good size bump at the same time. After a little over half the tread was gone they never rubbed again. A 195/75 is about a full inch taller and probably the same width as a 185/70. The 185/70/14 would be a better choice as far as speedometer error and highway use. These little engines can sometimes struggle with the stock tires. I went back to a 185/80/13 and the stock rims. They are about the same height as the 185/70/14 and don't even come close to touching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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