Lane's Beck Super Coupe #3

@Napa Paul posted:

I was REALLY sold on Sportrac 5's because they're DRY tires. My speedie has never, and will NEVER, run in the rain...not even "damp," so that was the way I had to go. So far, after only 400 miles, I'm very pleased with their "grab", cornering, quietness, and, of course, looks! At $80 each, including delivery to me cross country, they WERE a deal I couldn't pass up! 

They are a great tire.

I've never been a tire snob, but these would be worth 2x what they cost. They're really, really nice.

@Lane Anderson-- What a gorgeous automobile. The front suspension shots make me super envious.

You're going to love it!

Thanks for the picture show Lane. That is one fine car. Roll bar, Why not?  Roll bars are just too cool. 

@DannyP - I used to have Michelin Pilot Super Sports on my DD, which are classified as Maximum Performance Summer tires, and I never had any problem with them down to the 20s, which are rare here.  Heck, even the 30s don't happen often, but they do happen.  I really don't want to get a set of winter tires, but I don't want my tires failing on me either.  Are you sure they cannot be used below 40?

@Lane Anderson I ordered one set from Michael and one set from Tire Rack via my wholesale account.  Michael said 6 weeks, tire rack said 8-10 weeks.

@DannyP I got word on Friday that Vredestein has ZERO 185 Sporttrac in stock at the factory, and the timeframe for delivery was "unreasonable".  I asked this morning for clarification of how long "unreasonable" was.

Beautiful

Yeah, that car is going to be beautiful.

@Lane Anderson :

Yes, I'm sure. Click the link.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires...tireModel=Sportrac+5

From the website:

"Note: Tires exposed to temperatures of 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) or lower must be permitted to gradually return to temperatures of at least 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) for at least 24 hours before they are flexed in any manner, such as by adjusting inflation pressures, mounting them on wheels, or using them to support, roll or drive a vehicle.

Flexing of the specialized rubber compounds used in High Performance Summer tires during cold-weather use can result in irreversible compound cracking. While compound cracking is not a warrantable condition because it occurs as the result of improper use or storage, tires exhibiting compound cracking must be replaced."

@chines1 :

Yes, I'm aware that 185/65 AND 205/60 aren't available now, but hopefully sometime this year would be great.....

Well if they don't make it in time my backup choice would be the Goodyear Eagle RS-As like I first had on the Speedster.

@chines1 posted:

@Lane Anderson I ordered one set from Michael and one set from Tire Rack via my wholesale account.  Michael said 6 weeks, tire rack said 8-10 weeks.

@DannyP I got word on Friday that Vredestein has ZERO 185 Sporttrac in stock at the factory, and the timeframe for delivery was "unreasonable".  I asked this morning for clarification of how long "unreasonable" was.

TOO MANY COOKS STIRRING THE SAME POT!  I've been reading that some of you have "heard" this, and "talked" to whoever, or "got word" about that, etc., etc., etc., regarding Vredestein Sportrac 5's in various sizes (eg., 185's, 195's, and 205's). Unfortunately, you've wasted your time calling Tire Rack, or Apollo-Vredestein USA, or even "All-Tires-R-Us." I just spoke with Michael at 305Tires.com and confirmed that he either HAS those sizes in stock or he CAN HAVE them arrive at the Port of Miami in 6 weeks! His cellphone is working. His Call Answer is working. His email is working. I'm telling you: This guy is FOR REAL and you can't beat his prices anywhere, anytime, or anyhow!  

@Napa Paul Yes, Michael emailed me back promptly and has a set coming for me, supposedly in 6 weeks.  His site was down for me, but he was super quick to reply by e-mail and so far seems very helpful and responsive.  He will certainly get a recommendation from me.
I don't  know about wasting time with the other shops, but Tire Rack is about 15 minutes from my shop and the VP is a Beck Speedster owner and a family friend, so I have a little more "say" at Tire Rack than just getting a sales person on the phone.  In fact they stock a lot of Beck specific items that I use regularly and will stock additional items for me when requested, like the SportTracs...  I know Tire Rack is a HUGE company now, but they were started locally, are locally owned, and Beck clients, so I send as much business their way as I can.

Paul,

When I need another set, I'll definitely call Michael. Carey has a set coming from Michael.

However, the more people who actually run these tires, the better availability will actually be in places other than one guy in Miami. If Tire Rack were to start carrying these, it'd change things for a lot of guys not on this site who need these tires (vintage 911 guys, vintage VW guys, etc).

When I got mine, I did everything you did (calling about 50 different places, along with the Vredistein importer), but mine came from Waukegan, IL. That place no longer carries the tires. I'm delighted for another contact. If Carey can get Tire Rack to carry some different sizes-- that doesn't hurt anything for anybody.

... as I said, I'll call the little guy in Miami, because I'm all about small business. I've got no affiliation with Tire Rack, and no relationship (I always seem to talk to some guy reading off a script when I call). Carey does, and Carey will buy 100x as many tires as I will. I suspect this will not be the last set he buys when he tries them out and sees what is possible for $80/tire.

I might even try them the next time but I need 16 inch

They make 'em in 16".

Don't you mean 77 bardometers Ray? 

That would be 40.64 cm, or 0.4064 meters.

Except for some reason, all the rims are in inch sizing, pretty much worldwide. Probably something to do with the British Empire in every corner of the earth. Maybe us winning WWII as well.

But that doesn't explain the metric and P-metric(USA) sizing for width in millimeters, and aspect ratio as a percentage of width. this explains it pretty well:

https://www.consumerreports.or...-car-tires/index.htm

https://generaltire.com/our-wo...standard-tire-sizing

Why do I know any of this esoteric stuff? I sold tires for a few years when I was younger. Back when they had actual tire size/conversion/fitment books. You know, with paper pages.....

When was that?  Back when we were all running Bias ply tires?    

I figure I'm almost 20 years younger than you. But since Michelle has a grandson, so do I......

Danny I am into  my 5th season on Vred Sport Trac 5s.  They stay on the car all year but I do have my car stored in winter.  No signs of cracking; I actually can't believe how perfect they still look.  And yes, as you know my car gets driven. 

Ditto. Heated shop.

@Marty Grzynkowicz posted:

Danny I am into  my 5th season on Vred Sport Trac 5s.  They stay on the car all year but I do have my car stored in winter.  No signs of cracking; I actually can't believe how perfect they still look.  And yes, as you know my car gets driven. 

Yeah, well, don't shoot me. The info comes from Vredestein not me.....

I have old rims and tires. I'll bring the Sportracs inside in the basement for the cold months. My garage is detached and heated, but not all winter. I'd go broke. Thankfully I have battery tenders.

@Napa Paul posted:

I was REALLY sold on Sportrac 5's because they're DRY tires. My speedie has never, and will NEVER, run in the rain...not even "damp," so that was the way I had to go. So far, after only 400 miles, I'm very pleased with their "grab", cornering, quietness, and, of course, looks! At $80 each, including delivery to me cross country, they WERE a deal I couldn't pass up! 

I prefer winter tires for the softer compound. I have 5 cars. I'll never wear out a set of summer tires before they crack. 

@DannyP posted:
Just remember to have another set of tires if you get Sportracs. Or 4 jackstands. I already have another set so I'm covered. I'll store the Sportracs inside in the winter, in my semi-heated basement, it never gets below 45F.

You need to never let them get below 40F if you're using them. If below 40, they CANNOT support the weight of the vehicle as they will crack. They are SUMMER only tires. If the tires do go below 40, they need 24 hours above 40 degrees before they can support any weight or roll down the road.

To me, it's not a negative, just something to be aware of before purchase. If you live in Cali, you don't need to care. But in the Northeast, it's something you need to prepare for.

Yet another reason to stick with winter tires.

@chines1 posted:

@Napa Paul Yes, Michael emailed me back promptly and has a set coming for me, supposedly in 6 weeks.  His site was down for me, but he was super quick to reply by e-mail and so far seems very helpful and responsive.  He will certainly get a recommendation from me.
I don't  know about wasting time with the other shops, but Tire Rack is about 15 minutes from my shop and the VP is a Beck Speedster owner and a family friend, so I have a little more "say" at Tire Rack than just getting a sales person on the phone.  In fact they stock a lot of Beck specific items that I use regularly and will stock additional items for me when requested, like the SportTracs...  I know Tire Rack is a HUGE company now, but they were started locally, are locally owned, and Beck clients, so I send as much business their way as I can.

Sounds like you should light a fire under him to stock Sportracs in all the recommended sizes. Wink, wink. 

I'll be ready for a set next spring, more than likely. 

@DannyP posted:

Why do I know any of this esoteric stuff? I sold tires for a few years when I was younger. Back when they had actual tire size/conversion/fitment books. You know, with paper pages.....

Yeah, but now they have web pages that do comparisons, tell you the speedo variation, and pretty pictures of how the tires compare.

https://tiresize.com/comparison/

What is this "winter" of which you all speak?

got 305s on my Por,,they are huge and real nail magnets

Hey @Lane Anderson, could you tell us what kind of oil and transmission fluid you're going to use?  (heh heh heh)

I see what ya did there! 

Whatever Subaru (or Carey) recommends.

Carey told me they use Valvoline VR1 50 wt. racing oil in all the Subaru engines they install. I was surprised that they used such a thick viscosity. He told me they found that they had less oil leaks using this. I have continued to use the same for my oil changes. I have had zero trouble.

Nice.  That's a lot easier to find then Brad Penn.

 Oh, but you opened Pandora's Box again, Jimmy.  Now somebody will comment that 50wt is too thick and it'll go on for days. 

Ok, my tech uses 5w40 full synthetic  

Had this crappy lawn tractor that had all sorts of problems. My brother suggested upping the oil weight. Then, mowing after dinner one night, "pop/boom" from the back yard. Snapped the connecting rod right in the middle. Pretty exciting actually.

@JMM (Michael) posted:

Hey @Lane Anderson, could you tell us what kind of oil and transmission fluid you're going to use?  (heh heh heh)

I think I'm more curious about which gear ratios are best for this car.

And how many lightening holes there will be in everything.

The issue Lane will have is that the 2007-8-9 tranny may or may not have the lowest R&P.  3.91 is the lowest and then the gear set is variable on the cars somewhat if impreza or other. so getting an accurate reading will depend on the source of the Tranny.  Saying all this, I like my subie tranny a lot.

Our stock 5sp manual gear set is as follows (this is what Lane has also)

3.45 1st, 2.06 2nd, 1.45 3rd, 1.09 4th, and 0.78 5th with a 3.90 R&P

@chines1  that is the really good spacing and R&P Carey good for you. 

I started with that but I had an issue with the tranny and the replacement by error got 4.1 R&P.  which makes it turn a bit faster at 70mph.  In any case it is a good close ratio box and you can go through the gears with a lot of fun as they are well spaced, as Al would say the recovery rpm seem to be excellent as well of course in downshifting.  

I was wondering what you use for tranny fluid in yours Carey?  

Subiegears suggest Castrol semi synthetic, I tried normal redline and it would be fine cold but notchy hot, then dyno 80/90 w and it was notchy cold but good hot then I added Archoil boron additive and it might be in my mind but it seemed to help. 

My next change I will try swepco 201 see if the collective is right on that one too.  

Thanks in advance for your comments.

My Specs:  

On the final tranny the build sheet is 4.1 final drive. TY758 donor (2009 onwards) 

1st gear 3.454 2nd gear 2.062 3rd gear 1.448 4th gear 1.088 5th gear 0.78 

I just used a generic (local Car Quest) straight 80/90 dino hypoid gear oil in mine.  I've only got 1000ish miles on it so far, but it's been trouble free and shifts smoothly cold or hot.