Just went to the tyre place to get my nankang 145 put on my 5.5 spare, only to be told:

"It's not physically possible mate. That tyre is 20% too small for that rim. It would be impossible to even get it to inflate."

I told him that I'd seen other 5.5s with 145s on them but he just kept saying:
"Not physically possible, you were looking at a 4.5 rim"
:cussing

So what's the scoop? Is this guy full of it or have I been deluding myself?



[Edited on 4/6/2005 by ruckus]

sorry but i would be surprised if it would work!

Maybe a a 4 1/2" rim???

ok so that's one negatory, anyone else?

I've seen 145's on a 5 inch BRM & it had a bit of a stretched look. Even dropping to a 4.5 inch rim makes a big difference to how well the 145s fit, you wouldn't think so but it does. After seeing that I'm not surprised you're having trouble getting the 145's on a 5.5 rim. Sucks coz the 145s do look good. Rims can be narrowed but it is exxy & is it legal???
When I got my 5 inch BRM's I was thinking of using the 145 Smart Car tyre but I had one bloke tell me it was below the weight rating or something & therefore illegal so he wasnt going to do it. At that point he got on his high horse so I switched off. Sounds like the tyre rules are pretty strict...for good reason I guess

I run 135's on the front of my streeter
and 205's on the rear.
These are all fitted to standard oval rims.
I'm still here and the tyres seem to stay on my rims properly.

This is also with a 4 inch narrow beam and high comp engine out back!!

Yeah but what about 5.5 rims?

Hi

There is a good reason that the tyre guy wouldnt do what you wanted, it is illegal and he could be sued if something went wrong.

Steve

The 145's will still fit.
Just curve out to meet the wheel edge.
Tyre shops dont like doing anything outside the norm,if they think that you will use it against em if you bang up your ride then blame it on them.
You should see the 205's on the 5" rims.
The killer oldskool baloon look.
Its just a matter of finding a shop that will give anything ago.
I kept searching and have found a wicked bloke who loves a challenge.
He also knows i wont point the finger at him if shit happens.

Hi

If shit happens, like your lying in hospital and the insurance company is looking for someone to sue.

Steve

Atleast i know you wont be coming to see me!......

Full of happy thoughts eh...

talk to adam (empi on here)

he used to have 135s on 5.5s (running on the front of his red notch)

wasnt to my taste (too narrow) but he got them on and driving.....

Thanks everyone. I've seen Adam's 135s on his empi 5s. Nice looking but I don't think I'd drive with them. Then again he is far more willing to push the boundaries than me. The most frequent thing he says to me is along the lines of:

"Yeah it looks nice Rob, but it needs to be about two inches lower and you need 135s on those rims."

Maybe I've been hanging around him too much.

I don't really intend on using this tyre unless in an absolute emergency: in the same manner as space savers on any modern car. I know it's a bit vain, but I've got five 914 rims and I want the fifth to be sitting under the bonnet, not under my bed. As far as I can tell the only way I can fit it in the spare wheel well is to put a 145 on it. With the 145 on it the rolling diameter will be almost the same as the 175x65s I have on the front end (which I am much happier to fun than 135,45 or even 165s).

Thanks again for everyone's input.

so just find out where he got his 35s fitted and youre ok

Yeah I've got 145/65 Continentals on 5.5" Empi style eight spokes on my wifes '70 Beetle and they sit very nicely. Rhett has 125/80 Mitchies on 4" rims on the front of his "PHAT VW" Beetle. We fit them ourselves then take them to the tyre place to get them balanced, no problems.
Try another tyre place.
Cheers.

I run 135 Nankangs on my Sprintstars without any problems. I had them on since Feb, and run up and down the F3 everyday. No blowouts, good handling.....go for it, and enjoy!