What's the difference??

[gr8bryt]

Ok everyone, I've got an s13 hatch and came into a good deal on some replacement tires. They're Pirelli's 225/60/15 and currently I'm running 205/60/15 (F) and 205/65/15 (R). Tire Kingdom says that I can run max of 225/50/15, so my question is how will the extra sidewall height be counterproductive. I have a real basic knowledge about tires and I've read the STICKY about it in this forum. Will I get rubbing on the inside when I try to turn or what???

[gr8bryt]

ttt

[whiterps13]

Well you realize that both the width and the sidewall of the tire will be greater than what your currently running, right?

Width (mm)/ % of width / Diameter

Just making sure. But to answer your question, the car will behave differantly. The tires will be more ballooned on the rims, which does a couple of things for handling.

First, the car is going to ride slightly better due to the increased sidewall. It will absorb small bumps slightly better. Other than that, turn in and overall steering feel will be slightly sloppier due to the increased sidewall and shape of the contact patch. Although its not going to be a huge difference, you will notice it. Also, the tire will stick out 10mm on both sides of the wheels, so make sure you have enough strut clearance to accomidate this.

[AmoebAssassin]

First, the car is going to ride slightly better due to the increased sidewall. It will absorb small bumps slightly better. Other than that, turn in and overall steering feel will be slightly sloppier due to the increased sidewall and shape of the contact patch. Although its not going to be a huge difference, you will notice it. Also, the tire will stick out 10mm on both sides of the wheels, so make sure you have enough strut clearance to accomidate this.

Most of this is true, except that the tire will not be wider. It'll be about the same width, as the tread section widths for both tires are 225mm.

In addition, you'll have more sidewall rollunder, leading to all around loss of traction.

[hannibal]

^ I think white was comparing the 225/60 Pirellis to his current 205's.

Those Pirellis seem too big to me. Thats a size you'd prolly see on a Crown Victoria or something...

[gr8bryt]

Well I definitely don't want to compromise my safety by loosing traction! I figured they would stick out more and I did have a concern about inboard clearance on turns and such. Idk if I'll rub them during turns or not that's kinda why I came here. The tires are free with decent tread life left and I was hoping to be able to mount them since my fronts are practically bald now. I suppose I could deal with the clearance issue with spacers and extended studs, but I'll still be facing the problem of the ballooned tires on the wheels and compromised traction.

[whiterps13]

Most of this is true, except that the tire will not be wider. It'll be about the same width, as the tread section widths for both tires are 225mm.

In addition, you'll have more sidewall rollunder, leading to all around loss of traction.

Yeah, I was comparing it to his current tires, the 205's.

[gr8bryt]

Thanks all, I guess I'll have to turn this offer down; too bad because FREE is one of my favorite 4-letter words!