Looking to upgrade my skimpy 186/65/15 on stock rims to (hopefully) a 225/50/15. Will this size work on the stock rims on my '85 190e? Any information, pros or cons, would be a big help!

Thanks,
CD

I doubt you will fit the 225's on the stock rims. I think you are limited to 215 section width unless you want to roll the fenders. Adrian Eckenrod or MB DOC have done extensive speed related mods to their 190's. I think I will sit back and let those two chime in with the "hot ticket" for your particular model.

Hope this helps..>Lee

For standard width rims the best size is
205/55-15 and they fit well.
To use 225/50 you should use at least a 7" rim because of the short sidewall/tread width
ratio.

My personal 190 has 7X16's all around with the new Dunlop W-10 tires using 205/50 on the
front and 225/45 on the rear. A great combo
pushed by 300hp.

Tobias
300SE
300CE
190/5.0

Tobias,
"190 5.0"...Now that sounds like fun! Do tell...

Lee, I would but I have been E-mailed that I
took a "good car and made it into crap" The
sender had no idea of time spent (1+1/2 years) and money spent on this project. I have built odd cars for 40 years...starting in high school with a model A Ford and putting in an Olds V8. The 190 is now in its fourth year running and I love it. The end result was worth the effort. It is like a four door Porsche in disguise!
It started as a 2.2 diesel which is only 75hp
and anemic. I have done the following:
Installed a Ford SVO-GT40 crate motor with a
C4 a/t.
Put in rack and pinion steering with better
bump steer than original. Used 124 steering
arms shortened 1.5" and stress relieved and
heat treated to original specs.
Bilstein sport shocks all around...124 knuckles in front with slotted rotors, SS brake lines and Ferodo pads.
Rear differential is from a 92 ZR1 Vette with
limited slip and 3.42 ratio. Custom made axles using Spicer joints inboard and out. NO
CV joints!, One piece driveshaft.
The giveaway is the 3" SS tailpipe!!
Weight is same as a 190/2.6 (3020)and balance is the same as a C43 which is 55/45%.
Any questions? Did I ruin a 'good' car that had 138K on it? Its my pleasure!!

Tobias
300SE
300CE
190/5.0

Had you put a Ford crate motor in a 500E or anything else similarly collectable I might side with the "you messed with somethin sacred" side, but reworking a 190 diesel (or any common 190) I think is quite cool. What are you doing to keep engine temp under control? I imagine you might run into some cooling issues on such a setup. Of course, even more interesting...WHAT DO YOU RUN IN THE 1/4?!?!? Plus the hot-rodding market for the Ford 5.0 is very established should you decide to "ruin" it anymore. I'm sure the gurgling exhaust note is a slight tip that you are not running a 4-cyl. If you EVER go to a Starfest event let me know. I would love to see how that thing runs. Not to mention the looks on the spectator/other competitor's faces! I hope you left the 2.2 trunk-badge on....j/k If that is what you enjoy, and you are making something very interesting (and fun) out of a car that was otherwise destined to be a parts-car or otherwise neglected I think it is great! Hmmm...have you considered a supercharger for that motor yet? j/k

Lee

Lee
Let's see....where did all this start? Tire
size I think!

No, I have not run it in the 1/4 mile as I now only have a 3 spd. a/t in it and with the
new speed limits etc as they have become, I am running approx. 3700rpm at 70 mph so I plan to convert to a 5 spd. this summer. With
a 3.42 rear gear at 1:1 and 24" tires is a little on the short side. I have too much fun
beating BMW 635's and US iron on the street!

To cool it I run a Stewart water pump (80 gpm) and shorter to allow for a two tube, serpentine radiator by Fluidyne. No motor fan
but a 12" pusher and a 13" puller wired to an Acura fan switch...comes on at 194F and off at 183F....with a 180F thermostat. Fans are also wired to the AC high pressure switch. Oil pan is custom and holds 7.5 qts.
which helps also.
So....I'm looking for a 201 manual pedal assy
to convert this over. Oh, there is no room for a huffer under the hood!

Being an ex SCCA and IMSA driver, I'd love to attend a Starfest if I can find time.

Tobias
300SE
300CE
190/5.0

i have a 190E 2.6 with shoe horned in 17-215/45 in the front and 17-235/40 in the rear. The tire are Mich. Pilots MXX3. It required a little front fender massage and suspension upgrade. It's also lowered about 2" via Eibach springs and Bilstein Sport shocks with Renntech rear camber kit.

My 190 is still under construction.