Great Info! I just got my '66 bus back on the road and found that I really can't go faster than 50-55mph. I have big nut transmission with RGB's and Hankook 185/R14's (25.5" diameter). I did an experiment... the engine turns 4.9 times for a single rotation of the rear tire when in 4th gear. Now that you said it, maybe there is a beetle transmission in there. Looks like I need to go talk to my transmission guy. Thanks Mike.
yea 205 75 is an inch taller than 185 sr14. I would run at least 3.44 gears. or a 3.88 with .82 4th. the best combo is 3.44 with .89 because it gives you a taller 3rd for climbing hills. Then you wont be so worried about getting rear ended climbing. I would highly recommend putting taller tires as well. I run tall tires in the rear and stock size in the front. 185 I believe matched up to stock size 14s. stock bus gears were 4.12 with .82 4th. max speed is about 65 and even at that they really run high rpm. about 3800. That is why so many fender wells were cut up. and lots of burned up motors.
Really useful, Mike. Was just about to order a new pair of rear tyres for a set of gas burners I’ve bought for my 56 oval and because of this video. I’m now ordering a different profile 👍🏻🇬🇧
Thank you mike for the geeat video i have a 1962 vw bug its stock righr now i want to lower it and was wondering what size tires do you think i should run on the front and on the back the back tires i want them wider thank you
So i just picked up a transmission out of a 71 super. I am thinking about using it in my baja with a 4.37 and 235 tires. Freeway speeds here are 80 - 90 and the baja does it fine without over heating and it spends at least 60 miles on the 40 miles on it to get into boise. You think the newer transmission may be geared to high to cause heating issues on the Freeway?
Will 195/65r/15 tires be fine on 64 Beetle; all mostly stock, not lowered? Son's first car and looking for more tire tread contact on road with better handling.
Mike, based on the "cruising speed" listed in the owner's manual, cruising RPM calculates to about 3800 rpm (give or take a few RPM based on year). Why do you recommend less than that? IMO, if you are running hot at 3800 RPM, something's wrong with the engine, No?
B78 15 converts to 165.15 and is the same as 6.40 15 from what I see those were the original tire size for vw bug. also some guys used 5.60 15 which was the same as A78 15 and converrt to 155 15
3.88 were actually in standard and super beetles after 1971 and had the .91 4th. The last few years of Karmann Ghia had the 3.88 with .89 4th. I'm hunting for one to install in my '75. Should be perfect for my 1776
When you say low profile, are you talking about the wheel diameter that is lower than OEM tire size? Because you can have low profile tires on bigger size wheels and have the same diameter or similar as an oem tire
I love videos like this. Great info Mike, thanks! Getting real world info on trans gear ratios is fantastic. It's not easy to change them like a set of carbs that were mismatched to and engine combo. Two questions. Is the green bug lowered? Do you think all the badges on the air intake could make the engine run hot? Thanks again for all your vids!
it is lowered a bit 2 inches in he front and 1/2 notch in the rear. Badges are slightly angled and will help air go into the vents down the road. and there is plenty of room for air. car does not run hot at all. thanks
Hello I have a 67 bug with a freeway flyer on the front I have 155/60 15 rear 195/60 15 I’m thinking of putting 185/65 15 rear, would that be a good combination?
Thanks for sorting out the numbers. My goal in my '58 bus is to top out at 65 on the highway (I live in Alaska, no traffic). Will my 205/75R15's with the original split case and reduction gears and a built 1776 get me close to 65, ya think?
I have a Brazilian bug, it came with a 1600 engine (double Empi 34epc) and 4th 0.89 and a final ratio of 4.375....... if I put 205/75R14 on it, can I have a higher final speed?
On J burner it had B 60 13 on it and it would go 70 in 3rd and 72 in 4th ? backin the 70s here in Texas the speed limit was only 55 and if I was driving from San Antonio to Waco going 60 it would get 40 - 45 MPG unless I there was a cold front . going to Waco 30MPG to S.A. maybe 50 MPG with the front on out backs.
Since the speedometer runs off the front wheels on Bugs and Vans all these different tire sizes gives you inaccurate speed and mileage readings especially when you see those nasty Black and White cars looking at you
yea for sure I usually have my front tires stock size and or smaller than stock. so my speedo is higher than stock. I run meats on the back and stock size on the front.
Great Info! I just got my '66 bus back on the road and found that I really can't go faster than 50-55mph. I have big nut transmission with RGB's and Hankook 185/R14's (25.5" diameter). I did an experiment... the engine turns 4.9 times for a single rotation of the rear tire when in 4th gear. Now that you said it, maybe there is a beetle transmission in there. Looks like I need to go talk to my transmission guy. Thanks Mike.
yea 205 75 is an inch taller than 185 sr14. I would run at least 3.44 gears. or a 3.88 with .82 4th. the best combo is 3.44 with .89 because it gives you a taller 3rd for climbing hills. Then you wont be so worried about getting rear ended climbing. I would highly recommend putting taller tires as well. I run tall tires in the rear and stock size in the front. 185 I believe matched up to stock size 14s. stock bus gears were 4.12 with .82 4th. max speed is about 65 and even at that they really run high rpm. about 3800. That is why so many fender wells were cut up. and lots of burned up motors.
3.88 gears on my buddy's turbo car we hit over 90mph. in 3rd. but that was some serious RPM. like around 7000.
I run 195/75-14s on 14X6 inch wheels with the 4.12 1963 bug 1500 DP no issues.
Really useful, Mike. Was just about to order a new pair of rear tyres for a set of gas burners I’ve bought for my 56 oval and because of this video. I’m now ordering a different profile 👍🏻🇬🇧
Thank you mike for the geeat video i have a 1962 vw bug its stock righr now i want to lower it and was wondering what size tires do you think i should run on the front and on the back the back tires i want them wider thank you
So i just picked up a transmission out of a 71 super. I am thinking about using it in my baja with a 4.37 and 235 tires. Freeway speeds here are 80 - 90 and the baja does it fine without over heating and it spends at least 60 miles on the 40 miles on it to get into boise. You think the newer transmission may be geared to high to cause heating issues on the Freeway?
Nice chat Mike. Experience counts for credibility
So what about a rear 205 tire? With a 1679cc motor? Building a cal looker thanks with any info
Glad you point this out. This is so important for performance. Great job in explaining this. 👍
Thanks for watching!
Will 195/65r/15 tires be fine on 64 Beetle; all mostly stock, not lowered? Son's first car and looking for more tire tread contact on road with better handling.
Love it. Now what about 30", 31" like baja Bug and Buggy? 4.12?
I just bought a back tire for my 1962 vw bug the tire size is
205/65/15 do you think i will be ok with that size tire
Mike, based on the "cruising speed" listed in the owner's manual, cruising RPM calculates to about 3800 rpm (give or take a few RPM based on year). Why do you recommend less than that? IMO, if you are running hot at 3800 RPM, something's wrong with the engine, No?
B78 15 converts to 165.15 and is the same as 6.40 15 from what I see those were the original tire size for vw bug. also some guys used 5.60 15 which was the same as A78 15 and converrt to 155 15
3.88 were actually in standard and super beetles after 1971 and had the .91 4th. The last few years of Karmann Ghia had the 3.88 with .89 4th. I'm hunting for one to install in my '75. Should be perfect for my 1776
1962 Panel with 15" 195/65 tires and a 67 Bus odometer.. my speedo is constantly low by 10 MPH.. is there a fix for this??
When you say low profile, are you talking about the wheel diameter that is lower than OEM tire size? Because you can have low profile tires on bigger size wheels and have the same diameter or similar as an oem tire
I appreciate you sharing this useful information!
I love videos like this. Great info Mike, thanks! Getting real world info on trans gear ratios is fantastic. It's not easy to change them like a set of carbs that were mismatched to and engine combo. Two questions. Is the green bug lowered? Do you think all the badges on the air intake could make the engine run hot? Thanks again for all your vids!
it is lowered a bit 2 inches in he front and 1/2 notch in the rear. Badges are slightly angled and will help air go into the vents down the road. and there is plenty of room for air. car does not run hot at all. thanks
@@Mikefngarage Thanks for the reply Mike!
Hello I have a 67 bug with a freeway flyer on the front I have 155/60 15 rear 195/60 15 I’m thinking of putting 185/65 15 rear, would that be a good combination?
I would go taller. Use a tire size chart get something at least as tall as the 165 80 15
Thanks for sorting out the numbers. My goal in my '58 bus is to top out at 65 on the highway (I live in Alaska, no traffic). Will my 205/75R15's with the original split case and reduction gears and a built 1776 get me close to 65, ya think?
probably 60 if it has the small nut.
I have a Brazilian bug, it came with a 1600 engine (double Empi 34epc) and 4th 0.89 and a final ratio of 4.375....... if I put 205/75R14 on it, can I have a higher final speed?
Yes But if you put 205/75 15 on the stock rims it would even be netter in a bug. Be similar to 3.77
3.88
Just curious, what rpm is best for hwy cruising?
On J burner it had B 60 13 on it and it would go 70 in 3rd and 72 in 4th ? backin the 70s here in Texas the speed limit was only 55 and if I was driving from San Antonio to Waco going 60 it would get 40 - 45 MPG unless I there was a cold front . going to Waco 30MPG to S.A. maybe 50 MPG with the front on out backs.
Does width matter for gear ratio running 1600 have stocked rims but my tire size in the back are 185 65 15 4in tall tire
need a tall gear for that size tire. look at tire size charts. and see how it comares to original 165 80 15
probably more than 2 inches shorter than stock.
Ok thk u
the original size for the early bugs was 5.60-15 with the metric equivalent of 145-15, 165-15 was for the Volvoamazon .144 and P1800
I have had original tires and they are definitely taller than 145 I have heard 155 but I think they are between 155 and 165 to be exact.
Good information. Thanks Mike.
You bet!
Great info!
Great information there, thanks
Very informative.
How about a 4.37 with a .82 with stock tire.
So 0.82 4th is considered a FreeWayFlyer🥰... But I'm confused on 3.88 vs 4.12 ratio wise.
4.12 .82 4th is considered freeway flier. I like the 3.88 .89 has best all around gear ratios.
@@Mikefngarage did my homework....3.88,0.89 is best for low to mid engines, 4.12 for mid to high engines with 30" or higher tires.
Hello brother I have a 53 bug and I have a 57 what size tire is original
5.60 15
Is that the stock pan on that 63 bug of yours?
61 all original 60 all original
Since the speedometer runs off the front wheels on Bugs and Vans all these different tire sizes gives you inaccurate speed and mileage readings especially when you see those nasty Black and White cars looking at you
yea for sure I usually have my front tires stock size and or smaller than stock. so my speedo is higher than stock. I run meats on the back and stock size on the front.
6:35
Good stuff! Thanks!