Big bumper or small? (VW Golf Mk2)

[G2TDI]

Originally Posted by COcyclist

Interesting hot rod, but not very aero. Taking 12" out of the roof and laying the windshield back helps reduce frontal area but I would bet that a similar truck with the roof chop, grill block, air dam and a tonneau on an otherwise stock body would beat him hands down at highway speed. Perhaps he does mostly city driving where the weight reduction is more important than good aerodynamics. It would be cool to see a what a chopped VW diesel truck with the full aero treatment (like Phil's) and proper gearing could do for highway mpg.

Well I am not liking it but I must say that CdA value could be decent on it

[G2TDI]

So I have those Miata wheels soon to be ready to put on the car
( 10.8 Lbs version here: Table of Wheel Weights )

So I have been planning on using Honda Insight (Gen1) factory size tires, why? One due to their LRR factor, two due to their very low weight (13lbs)
( Bridgestone Potenza RE92 )

However if you look at that link to TireRack you will notice that the 175 65 14 is "only" 15lbs each or on the car 8 lbs extra. So here is my question, which would you vote for? 165 with slight smaller height (and circumference) than the stock 185 60 14 (stock on the donor Jetta TDI).

I plan on using the .622 5th gear gearing ratio, here is the calculations I got from here: Tire, wheel, gearing calculator with engine rpm, top speed, spacer, and offset information

NOTE: "Current" is something I most likely will never be using but it would be TDI stock wheel setup WITH the .622 gearing & "planned 3" is to be ignored all together.




For anyone who might be confused I never went with any Golf 2 or big/small bumper I went with a GOLF 3! More info on project here:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=305898

[COcyclist]

I think I would go with the 175/65. That would keep you closest to stock, maybe a little lower geared, improving your highway mpg.

[G2TDI]

Originally Posted by COcyclist

I think I would go with the 175/65. That would keep you closest to stock, maybe a little lower geared, improving you highway mpg.

Yeah I am coming to the conclusion too that 8lbs is nothing in exchange for "better" gearing. Also since it's unlikely I will get under (or even to) 2000lbs, 165 could end up being a tad thin . Next though is the fact that it looks like the BF I referenced to above isn't even LRR!?

Which of these would any of you guys recommend? Pirelli really as bad as I have read in a few posts?

Tire Search Results

[G2TDI]

Kumho reviews not so great (and a few by ppl actually following MPGs)

Kumho eco Solus HM KR22


Pirellis "mpg decreased as well."

TireRack.com Tire Reviews