Wheel and tire combination - MINI Cooper

Started by Hall N S, October 23, 2010, 08:41:14 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Hall N S

I'm new at this, so bear with me.
Looking for any/all suggestions on wheel and tire combinations for a run at Bonneville with a MINI Cooper R53. Currently run on the street with 18" low profile, wide tires, but figured tall, narrow tires would run better on the salt.
The narrowest rim I can find with the 4/100 bolt pattern is 5.5" (basically the stock steel wheel at 15")
So, going with a 5.5" x 15" wheel, where can I find a 150 mph rated tire in a tall, narrow profile?
The typical sources of Discount, TireRack, etc. don't get close.
Thanks for your help,
Jim


Glen

Good year, or MT should have something. Where are you located and any additional data would be helpful. We are here to help but information is necessary. Oh yeah, welcome to the forum.
Glen
Crew on Turbinator II

South West, Utah

TouringComet

I'm checking with a fellow in my MINI club, that has run his MINI with tall narrow tires, to see if it is okay to give out his email address.  I'll PM it to you if he is okay with it.

Milwaukee Midget

Quote from: Hall N S on October 23, 2010, 08:41:14 AM
. . . where can I find a 150 mph rated tire in a tall, narrow profile?

You won't.  I was looking for 4 years and came up empty.  The common thought in the performance street tire industry is "Faster = Wider and Lower", which applies to everything except LSR.  The higher speed ratings on street tires will invariably be on tires too wide for LSR.

The Cooper is light weight - I'd be looking at drag fronts all the way around.  4 x 100mm is a common wheel pattern.  Should be able to find a Centerline front drag wheel that would work, or just about any other manufacturer.

The wheels and tires?  Oh, buddy, that's just the beginning!

Welcome aboard, mate!
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

DavidinDurango

As stated, doubt if you'll find speed rated tires in 15" diameter.  17" would be easier.

There was an older guy in the socal mini "scene" that got all the kids started coming out - there were quite a few for a couple of years.  Anyway, he died a couple of years back and haven't seen many Minis at WOS since then.

Good luck, hope to see you out on the salt!
DavidinDurango
Mostly Fords with "some stuff"
LSR, because it takes more than one ball to play.

basher13

118.780mph in a stock(ish) Studebaker

LSR Mike

Quote from: basher13 on October 30, 2010, 07:59:13 PM
What about the frontrunners?

That's the direction I'm going, I just can't find wheels that are 15X4 on a 6X5.5 bolt pattern. Not even mini spare wheels...
Mike M.
BNI/ECTA
ECTA Record Holder/Former Bonneville Record Holder