13" vs 14" when offroad

ZefleR · Post by **ZefleR** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:11 pm

I'm currently running 13" steelies and im about to go out and get some 14's. However i would like some opinions when it comes to power and 4x4 capabilities.

I have a 90 L series that looks like the previous owner put some higher king springs in to lift it up. It has a stock 1.8L Carby job under the bonnet.

If i go to 14's how much power will i lose when i go 4x4ing.
How much will it speed up the low range speed.
And finally how much advantage do you get when 4x4ing with the 14's?

Regards,

Gary

Chad241WRC · Post by **Chad241WRC** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:14 pm

You get more ground clearance.....

The other stuff I'll be finding out shortly myself

ZefleR · Post by **ZefleR** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:20 pm

Chad241WRC wrote:You get more ground clearance.....

The other stuff I'll be finding out shortly myself

Yer that is one thing that attracts me. Also good for bigger potholes. I must admit tho I havent had much trouble with that yet as it tends to bounce over high mounds..

Also depending on the tyres profile an extra inch rim size only translates to half an inch higher.

dylan · Post by **dylan** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:22 pm

with the 14" its also better cruzing along the highways and smoother driving. but it puts ur speedo out a fair bit (depending on tire size). mines out 10km. lowrange wise, sofar ive found its not as low, so u may need to be going a bt faster to keep up revs than if u were running the 13s. also it changes the gearing. ie i could cruz along at 60 in 4th and now its nearly the same as that in 3rd.
thats my experience so far. ill be finding out how much different on the hard stuff is soon aswell.

Post by **Alex** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:08 pm

14s are WAYY better in every respect. Power loss is very minimal, ground clearance is made, wider wheel track, you can get wider tyres for ALOT better floatation and the most important thing is they look a bajillion times better than the gay 13's. And theyre also stronger.

alex

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:10 pm

Of course it's the larger diameter of the larger tyres you run with 14s which effects the flotation in sand, the width has a negligible effect

Post by **Alex** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:14 pm

its still better tho andyt mack.

alex

heath · Post by **heath** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:19 pm

i havent had any power problems with mine and i take mine every where and even further than my mates and brother in laws cruiser. put them on and youll never look back

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:26 pm

Width and Height are both a Factor.

we dont need this argument again

to the Original Poster - changing from 13's to 14's has NO effect on speed, power, crawling ability etc.

Its all in the Tyre Size

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:46 pm

Yes they are both a factor, in the same way that eating BigMac burgers makes you fat, and so does breating the air in a McDonalds kitchen.
One has virtually no bearing at all on the end result (but it still does - technically).

It's a very common misconception that wider tyres is the main factor that helps floatation. People think that deflating your tyres is to get them to "bag out" and make them wider.
No, it's to get a LONGER footprint, not wider.

It's just incorrect to think otherwise!

But yes - generally speaking the bigger the tyres the better you go offroad.

The apparent loss in power IS actually pretty significant if you are running a naturally aspirated EA82 engine - surely you remember that Alex

EA82 L series with 27's = the slowest cars in the world. It was definitely noticeable for me when I used to run the old carby wagon.
It's still worth upgrading for the advantage offroad tho - definitely.

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:54 pm

AndrewT wrote:Yes they are both a factor, in the same way that eating BigMac burgers makes you fat, and so does breating the air in a McDonalds kitchen.
One has virtually no bearing at all on the end result (but it still does - technically).

It's a very common misconception that wider tyres is the main factor that helps floatation. People think that deflating your tyres is to get them to "bag out" and make them wider.
No, it's to get a LONGER footprint, not wider.

It's just incorrect to think otherwise!

i never said it was the Main factor

a LONG footprit is uselessif theres no width behind it as its cuttin in like a Knife through Cheese.
a WIDE footprint is also useless on its own

Tyres also wont 'bag' out as well if theres no Sidewall to them.

ZefleR · Post by **ZefleR** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:43 pm

AndrewT wrote: ...
The apparent loss in power IS actually pretty significant if you are running a naturally aspirated EA82 engine - surely you remember that Alex
EA82 L series with 27's = the slowest cars in the world. It was definitely noticeable for me when I used to run the old carby wagon.
It's still worth upgrading for the advantage offroad tho - definitely.

Thats what i wanted to hear. Thank you.

Regards,
Gary

Post by **Alex** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:30 pm

AndrewT wrote: The apparent loss in power IS actually pretty significant if you are running a naturally aspirated EA82 engine - surely you remember that Alex
EA82 L series with 27's = the slowest cars in the world. It was definitely noticeable for me when I used to run the old carby wagon.

yes with 27's and a lift-kit it was abit slower. But 14inch wheels make f/a diff if they have low profile rubber, which i was referring to.

on a side note, my wagon does a friggin mean burnout with little cheese grater 13's. uhuh

alex

ZefleR · Post by **ZefleR** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:33 pm

Alex wrote:yes with 27's and a lift-kit it was abit slower. But 14inch wheels make f/a diff if they have low profile rubber, which i was referring to.

on a side note, my wagon does a friggin mean burnout with little cheese grater 13's. uhuh

alex

There wouldnt be any point going to 14's and a lower profile for offroad purposes.

Post by **Alex** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:37 pm

if its unlifted youd have no choice.

The biggest tyres on 14's you can fit will still look low profile mate.

something like this.(my car like 3days after i got it, with brand new tyres)

alex

ZefleR · Post by **ZefleR** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:48 pm

OK, .
Just to clarify the questions im asking relate to having larger diameter wheels on my gutless workhorse. but i think i am happy with what info i have recieved now thanks to all.

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:31 pm

Sorry you have to sift through all that nonsense to find the answer to your question there ZefleR.
Another factor often overlooked is that larger diameter tyres roll over obstacles easier and don't fall into holes & ruts as much as shorter ones. You'll notice this improve every time you go up a size.
Without a lift kit, the biggest tyre I could fit under an L wagon was 25". The difference offroad (and on-road) was well worth it.

ZefleR · Post by **ZefleR** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:41 pm

brumbyrunner wrote: ...Another factor often overlooked is that larger diameter tyres roll over obstacles easier and don't fall into holes & ruts as much as shorter ones. ... . The difference offroad (and on-road) was well worth it.

Good to know its worth it. I knew it would make a difference to power but thought it would be nice to get opinions. I agree with the larger diameter rolling over obstacles. The main concern i had was how much faster will it crawl at? Maybe i should look for some higher ratio'd diffs... or maybe a lower low range gear?

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:57 pm

One of Subaru's greattest failings is the lack of a decent low range ratio. There aren't too many options and the lowest is only 1.6:1. Diff ratio can only be improved to 4.444:1.
Mathamatically at least, changing to both those ratios and runing 27"s will return your gearing to stock with the stock 23" tyres.
In the meantime, the faster crawl speed is well worth putting up with for the benefit of taller, more aggresiv &, better constructed offroad tyres.

brumbee · Post by **brumbee** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:02 pm

with the speedo difference, i found my speedo isn't out i'm running goodyear tg's, i tested it against an 02 corolla and its still right. Weird or what