Need new tires, but why 2 different widths?

[BGdude]

Hey Guys,I have on my car some JDM wheels which came with the tires from Japan. The fronts are 16x7 and rears are 16x8. The fronts are wrapped with 205/55/16 and rears are 215/50/16. Do you know why those Japanese used two different widths? Should I keep the tire size to match the old ones or should I go with either 55 or 50 width for both? Can I go 215 for the fronts and 225 for the rears or will that be too wide? What do you recommend? Thanks in advance!

[Eddie]

The middle number on tire sizes is the aspect ratio. That number is a percentage of the width (the 1st #).

Example: 205/55/16 (205)*(.55)=112.75mm side wall215/50/16 (215)*(.50)=107.5mm side wall225/50/16 (225)*(.50)=112.5mm side wall(notice that the 50 series 215 wide tire yields a thinner side wall thickness then a 50 series 225 wide tire.)

The goal is to keep the diameter of the wheel and tire close to the factory wheel/tire diameter when doing wheel upsizing and or changing tire widths.

I run 16X8s all around with 225/50/16 and they fit perfectly. It's not to wide. I don't see any reasons why you could not run the staggered set up you suggested.

[Exar-Kun]

You'd be better off running 205-55-16 front and 225-50-16 rear, IMO.-Chet

[BGdude]

Thank you both for your advise. Can you please elaborate why should I run 55 ratio on the front and 50 ratio on the rear? Wouldn't it make sense to have both front and rear the same, lets say 205/50/16 and 215 or 225/50/16? Am I better off with the 50 or 55 ratio? Cheers.P.S. Car is a dalily driver, nothing extreme, just occasional street race.

[chmercer]

the aspect ratio is a percentage. its not a set number. if you stagger the widths and dont drop down the aspect ratio in the rear, your car is going to have a retarded drag racer rake. read the 2nd post.

stop street racing.

[BGdude]

Thank you gents, you have been all very helpful!