Good s14 wheel/tire sizes

[turtl631]

I've done a lot of searches but haven't anything really definitive about wheel sizes for s14s. The general consensus seems to be that 16s are fine for performance, staggers are unnecessary, and wide wheels don't really help much. For a daily driven street car what's a good size to start with? Before I was thinking 17x8 all around, but many on this board say that 16s are plenty. 16x8? 16x7.5? This will probably be my first real mod on my car so I want to do it right. BTW I have an SE, so its a 5 lug. I also have some questions about tires, but I'll save those for later

[LiU]

dued 8 inch? that's weak.. get the new sizes forthe fn01rcs, 17x10... GG.. lol jkjsut get 17s, I tihnk you willappreciate thelooks later on, and the diff.between 16/17 in performance probalbyisn't going to be too much of a differenceanyway assuming you get good wheels.

dude Ross I gotta tell yuo, I'm in HK right nowand can't access AIM cuz the hotel computer is really crappy and and it's running netscape...I tihnk poon is in mainland china right nowso we didn't have a chance ot meet up,

but guess what I saw? skylines! muahahahaI eevnt ook some pics I'll let you seeonce I get back to the states...I expectedto see some in my brief layover in japanbut who knew I got to see some in HK hehehe...I dind't know this but the car scene's prtty nice in HK,there's alot of nice cars, though the roads here suck and traffic sucks as well. anyway I'll talkt o youonce I get to the homeland and find a internet cafe... later

[Nismo_Freak]

17x8 is a nice choice for an S14.

[daniel]

i guess

i would put 17x9 +12 all aroundif i had powerF: 235/40/17R: 265/40/17

if i didnt

F: 235/40/17R: 215/40/17

this is on a 9j wheel

[SmithSR]

Why do you designate the rim's tire bead seat surface profile when mentioning wheel width?

[Nismo_Freak]

Why do you designate the rim's tire bead seat surface profile when mentioning wheel width?

Because it's JDM.

[Nismo_Freak]

i guess

i would put 17x9 +12 all aroundif i had powerF: 235/40/17R: 265/40/17

if i didnt

F: 235/40/17R: 215/40/17

this is on a 9j wheel

I'm sorry but a 9" front with a +12 would look dorky IMO. It would stick out at least half an inch if not more.

Stretching a 215/40/17 onto a 9" rim is also not a safe practice. In fact, given the poor load rating of that tire I would expect it to wear out very very quickly and offer very little in terms of grip.

Please if you offer advice, make sure you are giving the right advice to the right person. He is looking for a better setup for his daily driven car.

[crzycav86]

Why exactly would one put a staggered tire size on a single wheel size?

[Nismo_Freak]

Why exactly would one put a staggered tire size on a single wheel size?

Because you can change the way the car performs dynamically. Using an undersized tire in the front would increase response, while a larger rear tire can increase traction.

Tires transmit force, a 240 does not exert equal forces, why run equal tires.

[daniel]

9" +12 wont stick out if you roll, slam the car, and give it like -2 camber.

it'll be FLUSH

215/40 f will give you high steer response under counter condition265/40 r will give you enough traction that you will not overslide, but still allow you to break out under power.

you run a rim width to put the tire size you want on it.you dont say i want XYZ tire on a XJJ wheel.

[Nismo_Freak]

9" +12 wont stick out if you roll, slam the car, and give it like -2 camber.

it'll be FLUSH

215/40 f will give you high steer response under counter condition265/40 r will give you enough traction that you will not overslide, but still allow you to break out under power.

you run a rim width to put the tire size you want on it.you dont say i want XYZ tire on a XJJ wheel.

He doesn't have the necessary equipment to do that correctly.

215/40/17 on a 9" rim is not safe... I worked in the tire business before and anyone (SmithSR, Chet, Grant, etc.) that has worked in the tire business as well will tell you the same thing.

265/40/17 can either grip hard, or slide easily... totally dependent upon setup.

I have put a 16x8.5 +13 on my S14 w/ 245/45/16 Kumho V700 Victoracers and the fronts barely fit enough to prevent rubbing between the fender and tire. I had 2.5 deg. of front negative camber and the car is lowered about 2". Your not gonna convince me that adding another 15mm of outward wheel extension is anywhere near "flush".

He is looking for a setup that is good for a daily driver application. Distorting a tires contact patch and streching the sidewall to the point it now becomes part of the contact patch when the car turns is NOT something I would accept for daily driver usage, nor is it a "good handling" setup (especially a tire that has a low load index such as the 215/40/17). You will have increased wear, decreased performance, and the slim chance that the tire will un-bead itself causing a blow out (which will destroy the fender, and possibly cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and injure himself). It's not worth it, nor is it better.

If you're going to give advice, make sure it's relavent to what the person needs, not what you want.

[daniel]

okyou want good daily driver?

how about this

OEM.

want to upgrade?17x8225/40

[Nismo_Freak]

want to upgrade?17x8225/40

I'd suggest a 225/45/17 for availability, speedo accuracy, and the increased load rating.

In that size I would suggest the Yokohama ES100 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...1=yes

and the Kumho MXhttp://www.tirerack.com/tires/...1=yes

Both have good dry levels of grip (the MX has more dry grip), while providing excellent channeling of water for wet weather stability. They are both warm weather compounds.

[daniel]

see nismo

i can give street oriented advicebut then again i put 100% dori-sha built cars on teh street and just drive and put up with it.

then again i do get tires for $70 a set with 95% tread on them...soooo

[turtl631]

Thanks guys for all the replies The car is definitely gonna be a street car..it will be at school with me but I don't need it to get to class, so any driving will be just for fun pretty much. That said, I don't need the tires to have a high treadwear rating, but since it often rains in Atlanta and its pretty hilly, I want decent wet traction in case I get stuck out in bad weather. I've heard good things about the ES100 and the MX, especially for daily drivers. What about Azenis Sports? And I'm guessing Bridgestone S03s and Michelin PS2s are just really expensive?Yuda....sweetness! I figured you were gone when you were never online I'll email you soon, have fun with those skylines!

[Nismo_Freak]

Azenis sports are good tire as well.

[03GSXR1K]

for a S14...getting some 17x8's with the Z32 brakes and coilovers....about what is the highest offset that I can take without worrying about clearances on the spring

[turtl631]

How do the azenis sports stack up against the Kuhmo MX and the Yok AVS ES100? More dry grip but less rain grip and worse treadwear? And the last post reminds me, I'll be putting RS*R Race Springs and KYB AGX in my car this fall probably (buying from another member who wants coilovers now), and probably Koni Yellows when the AGX blow. Will 17x8 and about a +38 offset clear this spring/shock setup? My brakes will be stock, except for better fluid, pads, SS lines, and maybe some brembo blanks. Thanks for all the info guys!

[turtl631]

I've been lookin at some other tires, and noticed that Toyo wasn't mentioned in the Tire FAQ. How does the T1S work for this application, especially compared to teh ES100, MX, and Azenis Sport?

[Exar-Kun]

a 17x8 +38 wont clear. try a 30 or lower.

yeah, 225-45-17 works great on a 7.5 or 8" wheel.I like the ES-100's, but the dont wear too well if you drive uber hard.-chet

[turtl631]

Spacers would help with the offset issue, right? If not, are there any decently light 17x8 options with the right offset other than the 5zigen FN01RC for around $200 each? On the tire side of things, the ES100 is less grippy than the MX, and I'm assuming the Azenis Sports? I want 'em really grippy

[turtl631]

I found a thread on a different forum with some S14 owners who got Pro N1s. They had different combinations of 17x8 and 17x9 with or without spacers, all got them to fit and clear coilovers and/or z32 brakes and/or springs/shocks. Staggered 8 in front, 9 in back kinda appeals to me, are avs100 directional? If so tire rotating won't be an issue anyways...

[Nismo_Freak]

I'd go with the Azenis if you want the best dry grip.

[turtl631]

I may try that then...since tires are a wear item I can try different ones over time and see what I like best.

[Nismo_Freak]

Yeah, or drive other people's cars to get a feel for them.

[turtl631]

Hehe...my friend's crx has azenis sports, i guess i can start with that

[ruf-jason]

quick and dirty reference on tires mentioned in this thread from my personal exp.

ES100 = good daily driven tire, great 4 newB's because of their progressive nature.

ECSTA MX and T1-S = better dry grip than ES100, still good wet use, less progressive at the limit resulting in higher grip at the limit.

Azenis Sport = awesome dry grip and response, awesomly bad in the wet in wider sizes, it's just shy of an "R" compound tire.

I have no exp. w/ SO-3's although from what I've heard I'd put them with MX's and T1-S, w/ a better ride.

PS2' are real new, if youre feeling rich, give them a shot, let us know how u like them.