First Mod: 16" vs 17" Tyres for GT86?
 

Hi Guys,

For my first mod to the car i think i am wanting to get new tyres. To avoid forking out too much at the moment (want to keep it under $800-1000 for the moment) i believe 16" would be the way to go. However ive been told the 17" are exponentially greater than the 16" and will obviously require new rims (thus costing $2k+).

I want tyres that will hold the road considerably and noticeably better that the stock ones (especially when hitting and coming out of corners fast, or accelerating and cornering from a standing position). It is for the aforementioned reason i want better tyres.

What do people recommend? Could i get a great gripping tyre that are 16" and reasonably priced or is it best to save my dollars and invest in 17" which are apparently better than what any 16" tyre could do?

Im located in Australia if this makes a difference when putting forward ideas.

I initially ordered a GT and then changed to a GTS, so did a bit of tyre research for the 6.5" x 16" rims. I much prefer the look of your rims just wish they were 8" x 17".

Using the site below you could fit 225/50-16 tyres which have the exact same diameter.
235 is the limit and only makes them 1.6% bigger in diameter but that's pushing it when you look at the pic of the tyre on the rim.

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

You could also fit 225/45-16 which would lower the gearing by 3.8%, a good thing on an auto and drop the car 12mm.

18"

17"

Go with the stock size... 17...

The OP's stock size is 16"; he has an 86 GT.

Grip is a function mostly of tire width, and tire compound. I'm guessing you have the 16x6.5" stock wheels, so your width will be limited unless you get a wider wheel. The stock tire is a 205/55R16. You could probably squeeze a 215 on there, but I wouldn't run anything wider.

Your least expensive choice would be to get a stock-size (or nearly stock-size) tire in a much grippier compound. The Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec is available in a 205/55R16. That's one of my favorite high-performance tires. It's a great value, and has MASSIVE grip. Not so great (okay, completely un-usable) in the cold, but I trust that's not going to be much of an issue where you live.

I would never go that small on the tire diameter. Your speedometer/odometer will be off by the same amount. Plus, it'll look weird.

--Dan
Mach V

Im in Sydney too, my car arrives in 2 weeks so if you want a new set of OEM 17s then PM me