16" wheels thread

[Trettiosjuan]

(nevermind, 17)

[makesdrivingfunagain]

I heard someone mentioning 15" wheels. I was wondering about running a staggered set up, something like a 15x7 or 15x6.5 in the front with a 205/?/15 and a 16x7 wheel in the rear, say a 225/45/16 or a ?/?/16. I haven't heard of anyone running a 15" setup yet. I saw a NSX at the track the other day that gave me this idea. I was wondering what that would feel like with the stock suspension, as my budget is very tight right now. Running a 15" wheel could save weight and tire height. Has anyone done this? It sounds kind of radical to go this way. Many people go + 1 sizes 18" haven't heard of anyone going - 2 sizes...From a naturally aspirated point of view I need to save weight wherever possible. I am interested to hear any thoughts some would have.

[Wayno]

http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/01/...he-80s-trd-86/

Originally Posted by makesdrivingfunagain

I heard someone mentioning 15" wheels. I was wondering about running a staggered set up, something like a 15x7 or 15x6.5 in the front with a 205/?/15 and a 16x7 wheel in the rear, say a 225/45/16 or a ?/?/16. I haven't heard of anyone running a 15" setup yet. I saw a NSX at the track the other day that gave me this idea. I was wondering what that would feel like with the stock suspension, as my budget is very tight right now. Running a 15" wheel could save weight and tire height. Has anyone done this? It sounds kind of radical to go this way. Many people go + 1 sizes 18" haven't heard of anyone going - 2 sizes...From a naturally aspirated point of view I need to save weight wherever possible. I am interested to hear any thoughts some would have.

[makesdrivingfunagain]

WedsSport SA-15R 16x7 48 offset 225/50/16

[Dihudaxia]

Are you guys here running 205's or 225's??

I am contemplating getting a set of 225/50/R16 tires for track use on my OEM 16' x 6.5J rims.

I reckon it may bulge slightly, but are there any negative effects on the track??
Based on what i read on other forums, 7J size may be the better choice but many users say running 225's on 6.5 size is ok, but they never mentioned anything about tracking on them.

Any feedback?

[troek]

i tracked on mine quite abit with that combo. while not ideal, i never had any serious issues besides flexy side walls. i just upped the psi a little and i got pretty even wear at the track. i wished i would have just went with 205 though to tell you the truth.

[Dihudaxia]

Originally Posted by troek

i tracked on mine quite abit with that combo. while not ideal, i never had any serious issues besides flexy side walls. i just upped the psi a little and i got pretty even wear at the track. i wished i would have just went with 205 though to tell you the truth.

Thanks for the quick reply.
Was also thinking of running stock 16' size. But good tires are hard to find in this size in SG.
And wont the amount of grip diminish significantly?

Just outta curiosity, stock diameter tires are 55, technically it would mean even more sidewall flex no??

[troek]

The tires sidewalls will be sitting more vertically so maybe better stiffness. All the guys that run in the gazoo 86 racing series that have 16s run 205/55 here even on 16x7. I think i think the tire being more square on the rim results in the same contact patch as a pinched 225, minus the extra weight. From reading the more experienced drivers posts on here it seems the minimal grip gained could be offset by added rotating weight in the straits. But id love to see some numbers someday on same tire/car/wheel combo between 205 and 225.

[Dihudaxia]

Originally Posted by troek

The tires sidewalls will be sitting more vertically so maybe better stiffness. All the guys that run in the gazoo 86 racing series that have 16s run 205/55 here even on 16x7. I think i think the tire being more square on the rim results in the same contact patch as a pinched 225, minus the extra weight. From reading the more experienced drivers posts on here it seems the minimal grip gained could be offset by added rotating weight in the straits. But id love to see some numbers someday on same tire/car/wheel combo between 205 and 225.

Great. Thanks for your input.
Keep em coming...

[makesdrivingfunagain]

Originally Posted by troek

The tires sidewalls will be sitting more vertically so maybe better stiffness. All the guys that run in the gazoo 86 racing series that have 16s run 205/55 here even on 16x7. I think i think the tire being more square on the rim results in the same contact patch as a pinched 225, minus the extra weight. From reading the more experienced drivers posts on here it seems the minimal grip gained could be offset by added rotating weight in the straits. But id love to see some numbers someday on same tire/car/wheel combo between 205 and 225.

I would generally agree with this. As my tire sticks out a little from the edge of the rim (at 35psi cold). I wouldn't have minded to much to go with a 205. However, it may depend on what tire you go with. Some tires weigh more than others. I went with a Max Performance (according to tire rack) Extreme Contact DW Continental 225/50/16 weighs 21lbs (my scale it weighed a few ounces less and it weighs less than most 205/55/16. In this particular case the weight isn't there. Just my two cents. I may go 205 next time. I just don't want to add weight for the street car I have. It is more comfortable than the stock tires for the road in the US. It also looks more masculine than the stock wheels. The stock wheels with the Whiteout can be perceived as a bit "glittery" by some..

[Wayno]

I wouldn't use a 225 on an oem 6.5". Next time i think i might go back back to 205 on my 16x7 too, just because of the weight. The RE002 is about 2lb heavier than the oem Yokohamas, and fun!

225 on 7" isn't pinched, it's noticeable wider than 205.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Dihudaxia

I am contemplating getting a set of 225/50/R16 tires for track use on my OEM 16' x 6.5J rims.

Any feedback?

For performance, the rule of thumb is that the tread width be +/- 1" of the rim width. With a rim width of 6.5", that has you looking at a tread width of 5.5" to 7.5", and using that criteria, most 205 DOT-R compound track tires are wider than is desirable. The 225s are quite a bit further out of the desired range.

In addition, while you have a 2" range to play with, it's generally considered a good idea to err on the side of: narrower tread-width tire on wider rim. This is because it provides a more stable platform due to the tread being as flat as possible and the sidewalls having as little flex as possible.

Because when running a wide tire on a narrow rim the tread is rounded enough that the full tread width is not on the pavement, the driver is losing grip not only in the corners but also during hard acceleration when starting down a straightaway.

Which brand and model of tires are you going to be using?

[makesdrivingfunagain]

I am running the 225/50/16 on the 16x7 wheel and I seem to bulge a little. However, Continental recommends running a 16x7 with this wheel. I am not an automotive tire engineer, so I think I should trust that this bulge is ok.


What PSI are you guys running on the street for the 225/50/16? What do you Guys recommend?


thanks

[Turdinator]

After I wore through the stock Yokahamas on my factory 16" wheels I went with Yokahama C-Drive tyres in the stock size. They are definitely more grippy and cheaper to boot but I don't like how soft the side walls are. Does anyone have a suggestion of a 205/55R16 with stiff sidewalls?