wide vs. narrow wheels/tires

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Jordanwolf

Idunno if we are thinking about the same car.

Yep. A Sunfire with a body kit. I just never could get over the front end on the 04 to 08 Lancers.

[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Yep. A Sunfire with a body kit. I just never could get over the front end on the 04 to 08 Lancers.

I can't see it, besides maybe the fogs.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Deorio

I personally prefer running a staggered setup with 255/R18s on the driver side and 205/R17s on my passenger side. Since all the off-ramps in my city are right hooking, I get the immediate responsiveness of the passenger side narrower tires throwing me into the bend with the meaty driver side tires keeping me from spinning out. 10/10 wood recommend.

#nascarlyfe

[nikitopo]

A quick note on tires. Not all performance tires will perform well on a 205/55 R16 size. The specific size is VERY demanding on the tire. Check here how much deformation has the Pilot Sport 4, which in other dimensions is considered a very good tire. This one has a 94Y XL specification and again the deformation is terrible:




Check now the Advan A052 tire in same size. It is very similar with the A08b that was used in the first post video and has no deformation at all:



Even if both tires had same rubber, the second one would outperform the first every single day.

[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

A quick note on tires. Not all performance tires will perform well on a 205/55 R16 size. The specific size is VERY demanding on the tire. Check here how much deformation has the Pilot Sport 4, which in other dimensions is considered a very good tire. This one has a 94Y XL specification and again the deformation is terrible:




Check now the Advan A052 tire in same size. It is very similar with the A08b that was used in the first post video and has no deformation at all:



Even if both tires had same rubber, the second one would outperform the first every single day.

[NoHaveMSG]

[Mr.ac]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

A quick note on tires. Not all performance tires will perform well on a 205/55 R16 size. The specific size is VERY demanding on the tire. Check here how much deformation has the Pilot Sport 4, which in other dimensions is considered a very good tire. This one has a 94Y XL specification and again the deformation is terrible:




Check now the Advan A052 tire in same size. It is very similar with the A08b that was used in the first post video and has no deformation at all:



Even if both tires had same rubber, the second one would outperform the first every single day.

Do you really have any idea how to do a good comparison?
Just the picture angles and distance are way off on both of your proofs. Simple logic bro.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Do you really have any idea how to do a good comparison?
Just the picture angles and distance are way off on both of your proofs. Simple logic bro.

Two different cars, two different angles, unknown pressures, etc. Comparing apples and guinea pigs in just about the most UNscientific of methods - random pictures from the intarweb. Also LOL that 205/55R16 is somehow a magic tire size that defies all normal tire behavior in any other size.

[RayRay88]

An entire thread with speculation and apples to orange comparisons.
All things being equal a wider tire does more than just manage heat. Thus you need to consider slip angles, contact patch shape, tire spring rates etc.

[rvoll]

Originally Posted by RayRay88

An entire thread with speculation and apples to orange comparisons.
All things being equal a wider tire does more than just manage heat. Thus you need to consider slip angles, contact patch shape, tire spring rates etc.

And you need to consider what you're going to do with the car. If it is daily driver, those wider tires do absolutely nothing for you -- and in fact, make the car worse in terms of ride quality, normal handling, and mpg. If you autocross, then they are functional and help. If you supercharge the car, you need them especially in back. But most people get wider tires for looks and ego, and not performance....

And you are right, there is lots to consider about suspension and handling if you go far from OEM specs.

[RayRay88]

Originally Posted by rvoll

And you need to consider what you're going to do with the car. If it is daily driver, those wider tires do absolutely nothing for you -- and in fact, make the car worse in terms of ride quality, normal handling, and mpg. If you autocross, then they are functional and help. If you supercharge the car, you need them especially in back. But most people get wider tires for looks and ego, and not performance....

And you are right, there is lots to consider about suspension and handling if you go far from OEM specs.

Ofcourse, but the original argument stemmed between track testing of two different widths. Generally speaking a wider tire gives more mechanical grip than a narrower tire of equal construction and compound.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Do you really have any idea how to do a good comparison?
Just the picture angles and distance are way off on both of your proofs. Simple logic bro.

Originally Posted by venturaII

Two different cars, two different angles, unknown pressures, etc. Comparing apples and guinea pigs in just about the most UNscientific of methods - random pictures from the intarweb. Also LOL that 205/55R16 is somehow a magic tire size that defies all normal tire behavior in any other size.

I have the same issue with my car and it is not related with picture angle, distance, unknown pressure and so on. Do you just want to argue for whatever reason and for everything? And it is not about magic tire size, it is just that the sidewall is quite large. You really need semi-slick tires with very stiff sidewalls in this size.

Here is my car:



And I'll say again that it is not related with picture angle. The deformation is there in whatever angle.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by RayRay88

Ofcourse, but the original argument stemmed between track testing of two different widths. Generally speaking a wider tire gives more mechanical grip than a narrower tire of equal construction and compound.

Yes but more mechanical grip doesn't make you ALWAYS faster given that power is the same. This was the point of the original post. If it was so simple like swapping tires and wheels, then every manufacturer would provide their models with bigger combinations. The original comparison was of a much more expensive trim level with many changes but not on the engine power and a much cheaper trim level with not so many additions (the ra racing trim in Japan). The latter car outperformed the other one for a reason. But as the previous post some will argue that "the picture angle is not the same". Lol. Arguing just for the sake of arguing ...

[Mr.ac]

Again, way too many variables from both pictures.
How do you even know the exact conditions both tires are in? Was the picture taken before a run, after a run? Or was it just sitting pretty for hours in the hot sun? Hell, do you know if they purposely under inflated the tire right before their run?

I don't want to be a **** but sometimes you just got to tap out sometimes.