This is why the AS1 is on prius tyres!!

[WhiteGDB]

215's aren't really narrow for a car this small with it's power output. I think it's just about right for stock setup.

[CoryUyede]

Originally Posted by WhiteGDB

215's aren't really narrow for a car this small with it's power output. I think it's just about right for stock setup.

Oh i know, but it's all relative. My last few cars have all been running 235,245 stock. (and yes, all larger cars)

I'm just glad they kept the rims and tires relatively narrow. If this car came with 235's it'd be hard to use the stock wheels for winter, cause the rims would probably be 8" wide.

With the oem rim width you can run some 205's and have a decent (by RWD standards) snow car. My 350Z, even with the pricey blizzaks, was still a bit of a handful in the snow.

[LSxJunkie]

Originally Posted by fatoni

well pictures dont really mean anything. here you go: http://949racing.com/15x96ulgallery1.aspx

these are 225s on a 9" rim. just like what you showed is crisp enough, these arent stretched. tire manufacturers dont give you information based on what is the fastest combination either. they have all sorts of legal issues that take precedence over our fun

That's the fastest combination on a 15" wheel with a 45 section tire. There is a significant amount of sidewall there. The reason it's faster is because on an 8" wheel there is too much slip angle, making the car feel worse. Look at the ratio of wheel to sidewall. With that small a wheel and that much sidewall, of course stretching to tighten up the response is going to make drivers feel more comfortable, thus leading to better lap times. There is no indication that there is more overall grip, from what I've read on the Miata boards.

That's a very application specific rule that most certainly does not apply across the board.

225/45/17 on a 17x9 wheel front and rear. That's inappropriately stretched.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by LSxJunkie

That's the fastest combination on a 15" wheel with a 45 section tire. There is a significant amount of sidewall there. The reason it's faster is because on an 8" wheel there is too much slip angle, making the car feel worse. Look at the ratio of wheel to sidewall. With that small a wheel and that much sidewall, of course stretching to tighten up the response is going to make drivers feel more comfortable, thus leading to better lap times. There is no indication that there is more overall grip, from what I've read on the Miata boards.

That's a very application specific rule that most certainly does not apply across the board.

225/45/17 on a 17x9 wheel front and rear. That's inappropriately stretched.

okay. i think we are on the same page but it just sounded like you were making blanket statements and whatnot. i cant speak to the actual levels of grip but i think there is something to be said for the tire/rim selection that is faster, more comfortable and more responsive.