I'm about to purchase new tires, and i'm staying with the stock 15" alloys. I know the stock size is 205/60/15, but i've read places (240sx.org), that 55's work as well. Does this height change have an effect to handling/performance? I realize the fender gap will increase by about 1cm, and the car will also be lowered by about that amount as well.
Seeing as how torque = force x length, and the engine torque remains constant while the length goes down (with the 55's), It seems the available force would go up. Almost like changing gear ratios slightly.
Does anyone run 205/55/15's? any comments?
55's or 60's
i dont want to comment on diameter of the tires, i dont really know if that would work. tho i do know that you can get slightly wider tires. i thought the stock code was 195/60-15? consider if you have done any suspension mods as well in your tire choice, dont want to rub. and if u want a difference in handling, make sure your radials have reinforced walls.
195/60-15, and 205/55-16 are for the 4 lug and five lug (with alloys) respectivly. now im not sure, but u should be able to run 205/55-15 on stock rims as long as everything behind them clears well.
195/60-15, and 205/55-16 are for the 4 lug and five lug (with alloys) respectivly. now im not sure, but u should be able to run 205/55-15 on stock rims as long as everything behind them clears well.
If OEM size was 205/60-15, then if you make the minor change to a 205/55-15, you will change what is called the "effective gear ratio". The change isn't that significant. A smaller tire gives you a higher(numerically) effective gear ratio. BUT, unless you are in tune with every nuance of your car's dynamics, with such a small change, you might not notice any difference in power.
Now speaking in broad generalizations: When you do change tire diameter, you are altering your actual speed compared to your speedometer reading....meaning, if you put a smaller tire on your car than OEM, your engine/transmission is turning faster, telling your speed sensor that you are going faster than you are. You will be going slower than what your speedometer reads. On the flip side, if you go larger, you will be traveling faster than the speed that is displayed on your speedo. None of this is too critical with such a small change in diameter, but it's good to at least know what changes are taking place when you deviate from original equipment.
-Phil
Now speaking in broad generalizations: When you do change tire diameter, you are altering your actual speed compared to your speedometer reading....meaning, if you put a smaller tire on your car than OEM, your engine/transmission is turning faster, telling your speed sensor that you are going faster than you are. You will be going slower than what your speedometer reads. On the flip side, if you go larger, you will be traveling faster than the speed that is displayed on your speedo. None of this is too critical with such a small change in diameter, but it's good to at least know what changes are taking place when you deviate from original equipment.
-Phil
If you want a good bit of tire, I have run 225x50x15 on the stock size rims.
With a 205x60x15 tire, your overall tire height will be 24.7"
With a 225x50x15, your overall tire height will be 23.9" (approx 4% difference). Your fender gap will increase by 0.4". But your car will actually sit 0.4" lower (lower CG is better for handling). Revs will be quite a bit higher, and the speedo WILL be off (my speedo is about 7% off overall) - and at an indicated 85MPH in top gear, I'm turning 4000 RPMs.
The only thing to watch for with the 225's is that you have enough clearance between the bigger tire and the strut.
FWIW, the S14 SE's come with 205x55x16" which is a 24.9" overall tire - but they don't have any difference in speedo pinions for that car vs the 15" wheeled cars.
joe
With a 205x60x15 tire, your overall tire height will be 24.7"
With a 225x50x15, your overall tire height will be 23.9" (approx 4% difference). Your fender gap will increase by 0.4". But your car will actually sit 0.4" lower (lower CG is better for handling). Revs will be quite a bit higher, and the speedo WILL be off (my speedo is about 7% off overall) - and at an indicated 85MPH in top gear, I'm turning 4000 RPMs.
The only thing to watch for with the 225's is that you have enough clearance between the bigger tire and the strut.
FWIW, the S14 SE's come with 205x55x16" which is a 24.9" overall tire - but they don't have any difference in speedo pinions for that car vs the 15" wheeled cars.
joe
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Grant@tirerack
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The 50 series would be a bit short and way under on load capacity. The problem is the size of the air chamber. It can't hold enough air under pressure to support the loads the same way as the properly sized tire. You can't just drop the sidewall height without going wider at the same time. I would stick with the 55 or 60 series for safety and handling. There would be no mechanical benefit going to a 225 on that narrow of a rim as Joe pointed out. He correct. Think of it this way. Imagine a cross section of that tire/wheel. The tread is way wider than the actual rim. When you corner, the tire footprint sticks to the road like it should but when the forces start shifting sideways, the tire's sidewall gets zip support from the rim. The sidewalls are going to be curved so much that they will flex more and the whole tire rolls under the wheel. Goodbye responsive steering:( . You can see the full line of tires we handle in this size here:http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?...l.jsp
thanks for the info.... so what size would be the best besides stock? or only stock, whats the widest and thinest tires possible for the best performance??? how about 215/55/15s on stock alloys??? Khumo Ecsta 711s 50bucks a piece, can't beat that... im just goin to ride on those for a while, my rims should be commin in soon....iam keepin the set of stocks so i might as well buy tires for them also..... thanks again everyone!
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Grant@tirerack
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Grant@tirerack
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- Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 9:17 am
- Car: Auto racing (AMLS, Cart,F1,IRL in that order), old show rods, classic monster and bad sci-fi movies,
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Nick, as of right now I was planning on it. My wife is due to give birth to our third child sometime in late August so I have to take it day by day next month ear:D If the kid has good timing I should be able to make it:pface As for any discounts, please check my first thread 'Grant here at last'. If the order is over 200lbs total weight there would usually be a discount with UPS hundred weight but the tires are all priced per unit. The shipping is based on the actual size and weight of the packages just like any UPS or FedEx order. We don't lump the price of shipping into the cost of the item and claim we have 'free shipping'. We like to think our customers are a little smarter than that 
and everyone gets the best price right up front. You'd be pretty bummed if you found out I just gave the last caller a better price wouldn't you 
It's the only fair way to do it.
and everyone gets the best price right up front. You'd be pretty bummed if you found out I just gave the last caller a better price wouldn't you It's the only fair way to do it.