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#1 (permalink) |
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gone Opel GT crazy!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lincoln Alabama
Posts: 756
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would it gain or lose traction? That might take out the sporty look out of it! Should I or should I not??? spell check is not loading!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Rex {Elda} "code green"1969 Opel GT 4 speed,Weber carb,Pertronix electronic ignition. 1972 parts car auto-RIP 1972 parts car -Rip {saphire}-1993 yellow nissan pick up 5 speed! 1993 red nissan pickup automadic (unamed for now) {Alexia}-1989 chevy camero {Elliott}-1978 Pontiac Firebird -1989 Ford probe(unamed for now) 17 years old -6 vehicles... and still moveing on ![]() WATCH OUT,I'M A OLD CAR FANATIC!!! ![]() Future wanna be concept and custom car designer/builder. Last edited by kwilford; 12-31-2006 at 03:57 PM. |
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#3 (permalink) |
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1971 GT
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Trail, British Columbia
Posts: 533
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I have 225's on the rear of my GT. I always thought that the rear view of the car looked better with the wider stance.
Those big tires do come with extra weight that require more power to rotate so that is a consideration.
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2.4 "Legere" Stroker - Weber DCOE45 - Getrag - Compufire - S10 Clutch |
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#4 (permalink) |
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1000 Post Club
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Saginaw, MI
Posts: 1,279
Real Name: Jon
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That would gain more traction.
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Current 1970 GT; Under Construction Previous 1969 GT; Street/Strip Project 1969 GT; White with Black Interior, Automatic 1969 GT; Black Parts Car 1969 GT; White Parts Car 1970 GT; Silver with Red Interior 1971 GT; Orange with Black Interior, Turbo 1972 GT; Red Parts Car 1972 GT; Blue with Black Interior 1973 GT; Pearl Blue with Black interior. Full body kit. |
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#5 (permalink) |
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Project 1450 supporter...
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Pleasant Valley, CT
Posts: 7,449
Real Name: Bob Legere
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205's all around look good and function well on a GT. Going a lot wider on the rear just makes the car understeer worse than it already does in standard form, even if it looks cool.
Bob |
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#6 (permalink) |
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UngerDog
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pleasanton, CA
Posts: 766
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I like the wider look myself. If you want to make it like original, then go that way. You will notice that even new cars today are going towards the wider/lower look as compared to cars of yesteryear. But, go with the look you like. Now, finding the wide low tires with raise white letters may be a little more difficult and expensive. I just called several tire dealers last week for 205/60/13's with raised white letters and couldn't find any off the shelf. You can get some special order ones. But, a search of 225/60/13 came up with 0 search results. So, you may need to buy new rims too. Ya, you'll get a little more traction. But, you will not be able to get as much scratch. Jerry
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#7 (permalink) | |
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Über OpelGT.com Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 4,087
Real Name: Keith Wilford
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Second, asking "opinions" (rather than facts) barely deserves to be here at all, and if so, only in the General Discussions Forum. Third, ONLY threads directly related to the specific model (ie GT, Manta, Kadett etc) that are NOT better asked in either a Tech Forum or in General Discussions should be in the GT (or Manta, Kadett etc) Forums. So I moved this, hoping that it becomes a Tech question. Please watch what Forum you start threads in. Lastly, don't use big font in your posts. We're old, but with appropriate reading glasses, we can read the regular font size. The big font, especially in bright colours, is just annoying, and causes Moderators to get cranky and start lecturing OK, big tires. Why do you want them? Looks? If so, make up your own mind. How much bigger? Certainly going from the OEM 165-75/R13 to a more modern 185-70/R13 or even 205-60/R13 (keeping the diameter the same by going to the lower profile ratios respectively) will add a bit of handling and traction, if applied to both ends. Putting really big tires/rims at one end will only hurt the handling balance. Or do you mean bigger wheels, such as 14, 15, 16 or even 17 inch? It's done, but more for looks, and tire availability (harder to get 13 inch tires these days). Many members have upgraded to 14 or 15 inch rims with success. The big rims actually weigh more, which adds to unsprung weight (poorer handling, worse ride), and slows the car down due to greater rotating weight and more rolling friction. Just ask any ricer. Oh wait, if they knew that, they would have faster Hondas and smaller wheels... Traction? Sure, a wider tire will have somewhat more traction, and maybe even improve handling and braking a bit, if balanced with appropriate suspension and braking upgrades. But even a somewhat enhanced 1.9 can barely spin the stock tire. And if you have LOTS of power, watch what happens when you "hook up" a 150 HP engine to really sticky tires. The stock differential decides it can't handle the applied torque, and it become "fully open". As in broken. Spell check? Hmm, make a post in the Bugs Forum and see if Gary can fix it. Mine is working, but sometimes doesn't for the first post in a thread. HTH
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Keith Wilford working on my '71 GT and '75 SportWagon |
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#8 (permalink) | |
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Hoosier Opeler
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: indiana
Posts: 540
Real Name: Ron
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Ron in Indy |
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#9 (permalink) |
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Opeler
Join Date: May 2005
Location: oklahoma city, ok
Posts: 17
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ungermm...I currently have 205/60/13 on my GT and really like the look..not to wide..they are Cooper brand and Cobra is the type..maybe one of the few mfgr's that still produce wide tires in the 13 inch size..good luck
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#10 (permalink) |
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Opeler
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Mississippi, USA
Posts: 184
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Wide tires on back of Opel GT
I kinda like the wider ones myself. Do your own thing. Go to Tirerack.com and pick a size and check the specs on each. You will discover a wealth of info here. The cross sectional widths to the overal heights are all there and for a variety of tires. Just be sure and look at wheel size suggestions and do not forget about backspacing. Shoot the gap, what the heck. Get out your meausuring tape, pencil and paper. You might find something interesting. Then go to your local dealer and ask him to try out your choice before you buy. Check these Goodyear F-1's 315X35X17's on an 11 inch wide rim. Hey what the hay.
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#11 (permalink) |
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former opel racer
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: near some glaciers
Posts: 2,863
Real Name: Jeff "Oh-Oh" Denton
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I think the GT looks cool with wide tires all the way around, especially when the body is as low as possible. If I had a street GT I would want it to look a lot like my racer as far as stance and tires. Except the tires would have to have some tread.
To get a jump on your next question, lowering the car is covered in a few good threads. How to fit big tires on a lowered car is going to be the problem, I had to do a lot of fender enlargement on all corners, but search the threads, I know it's been done very tastefully before. If it's too much work or costs too much money then the best option is to leave it alone, GT's look neat that way too, since this thread is specifically about personal opinion. We are pretty clueless as to what your budget is for all these modifications, and your abilities will dictate what you will be able to do, also. The purists will advise you to get it restored to original so that it doesn't end up being an overwhelming mess and end up in the junkyard, you see this being discussed in a lot of threads! Last edited by jeff denton; 01-01-2007 at 03:31 PM. |
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#12 (permalink) | |
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gone Opel GT crazy!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lincoln Alabama
Posts: 756
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Sorry, also for the big letters and I had to quote all of your thread I don't know how to quote parts of a thread.
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Rex {Elda} "code green"1969 Opel GT 4 speed,Weber carb,Pertronix electronic ignition. 1972 parts car auto-RIP 1972 parts car -Rip {saphire}-1993 yellow nissan pick up 5 speed! 1993 red nissan pickup automadic (unamed for now) {Alexia}-1989 chevy camero {Elliott}-1978 Pontiac Firebird -1989 Ford probe(unamed for now) 17 years old -6 vehicles... and still moveing on ![]() WATCH OUT,I'M A OLD CAR FANATIC!!! ![]() Future wanna be concept and custom car designer/builder. Last edited by jordan; 01-02-2007 at 07:03 PM. Reason: spellllllllllling |
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#13 (permalink) | |
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"The Jägermeister"
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Newnan, GA - greater ATL area
Posts: 1,515
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Dieter
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One 2.0-16V Opel is not enough |
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#14 (permalink) | |
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"The Jägermeister"
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Newnan, GA - greater ATL area
Posts: 1,515
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Dieter
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One 2.0-16V Opel is not enough |
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#15 (permalink) |
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Curve Crazy GT
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Grosse ILE,Michigan
Posts: 442
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Here on mine I have a 245 rear and 225 up front, it's a 14 inch wheel. It is the original wheel offset and a 6 1/2 inch wide wheel. I personaly did it for looks...if you want handling do not do this...haha
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thanks chris Owned Cars: 1973 Opel GT 1980 Chevy Monte Carlo-Current 383 project drag car. 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Last edited by jordan; 01-02-2007 at 07:45 PM. |
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#16 (permalink) | |
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UngerDog
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pleasanton, CA
Posts: 766
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. But in the end you'll have a really nice look. Any wider tires and you will not be able to use stock rims. Jerry
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#17 (permalink) |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Windsor Locks, CT
Posts: 192
Real Name: Matt
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Cooper Cobra
I've got 205/60-13 Cooper Cobra's on my GT. You can see pictures in my folder on the site. They were a little more expensive then I'd like them to have been but I'm happy with them. I've got about 20,000 miles on them and they're holding up well.
When I purchased the car it had 215's on the back and 205's on the front but when I searched for tires I couldn't find anything in a 215 for a reasonable price (or street tire for that matter). |
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#18 (permalink) | |
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UngerDog
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pleasanton, CA
Posts: 766
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They are all rated at about 118MPH. I think that's just about what a stock GT can do going downhill
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