Calling all tire experts..............again.

[KellyJoe]

After extensive searching and researching I still need some advice.

Here's what I came up with wanting to stay as close to stock OD as possible. Stock front 205/50/15 = 23.1 OD new 17x7 205/40/17 = 23.5 OD. Stock rear 225/50/16 = 24.9 OD new 18x7.5 225/40/18 = 25.1 OD and/or 225/35/18 = 24.2 OD. So I guess my question is, would you rather go over or under size for the rear wheels? 225/40/18 or 225/35/18? The 40 is considerably more affordable. Calculations done at http://www.onlineconversion.com/tire_size_conversion.htm

[This message has been edited by KellyJoe (edited 16 February 2003).]

 

[nsxtasy]

Well, first of all, you might want to see what sizes are available for various tires you would be considering. Are those sizes that are actually available for a particular tire, or just sizes that you picked out when playing with the calculator?

I know that many folks are using wider tires than stock when they go to 17"/18" wheels. The most common sizes used are 215/40-17 front (OD +3.0 percent larger than stock) and either 255/35-18 rear (OD +0.7 percent larger than stock) or 265/35-18 rear (OD +1.8 percent larger than stock). The 255 rear treadwidth is a better front-rear match for the '94-01 cars, the 265 better for the '91-93 cars like yours.

However, to answer your specific question, if I had 205/40-17 in front, I would definitely go with the 225/40-18 in the rear. Used with that front size, the 225/35-18 are borderline for TCS and may cause the TCS to engage, because the difference in the rear OD (-2.6 percent) is significantly different from that in front (+1.7 percent).

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 16 February 2003).]

 

[KellyJoe]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
Are those sizes that are actually available for a particular tire, or just sizes that you picked out when playing with the calculator?

I know that many folks are using wider tires than stock when they go to 17"/18" wheels. The most common sizes used are 215/40-17 front (OD +3.0 percent larger than stock) and either 255/35-18 rear (OD +0.7 percent larger than stock) or 265/35-18 rear (OD +1.8 percent larger than stock). The 255 rear treadwidth is a better front-rear match for the '94-01 cars, the 265 better for the '91-93 cars like yours.

However, to answer your specific question, if I had 205/40-17 in front, I would definitely go with the 225/40-18 in the rear. Used with that front size, the 225/35-18 are borderline for TCS and may cause the TCS to engage, because the difference in the rear OD (-2.6 percent) is significantly different from that in front (+1.7 percent).

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 16 February 2003).]

These are sizes that are available from the brand I use yet you give me other options. I do prefer a wider tire but am concerned with if they will fit 7 and 7.5 wide wheels and whether or not they would rub. I definitely want to get it right as I plan to order them online. Thanks a ton!!

 

[AKUDOU]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I am running this size on the rear that is as close to stock OD as you can get. (255/35YR18)


8.5-10" Rim
9"Recommended
10.3"Section width
9.4"Tread width
25" OD
833 RPM (My bad missed the 7.5 rim sorry)

[This message has been edited by AKUDOU (edited 02 March 2003).]

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by AKUDOU:
Correct me if I'm wrong but I am running this size on the rear that is as close to stock OD as you can get. (255/35YR18)

Depends on the year of your car.

Outer diameter in inches:
225/50-16 ('91-93 stock): 24.86
245/40-17 ('94-01 stock): 24.72
255/40-17 ('02-03 stock): 25.03
255/35-18: 25.03

However, keep in mind that if the outer diameter of your front tires is different from stock, you may want to vary the rear tires by the same percentage. That's why the 265/35-18 maintains the front-rear ratio better on the '91-93 cars when used with a 215/40-17 front tire (whose OD is 3 percent larger than the '91-93 stock).

 

[AKUDOU]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
Depends on the year of your car.

Outer diameter in inches:
225/50-16 ('91-93 stock): 24.86
245/40-17 ('94-01 stock): 24.72
255/40-17 ('02-03 stock): 25.03
255/35-18: 25.03

However, keep in mind that if the outer diameter of your front tires is different from stock, you may want to vary the rear tires by the same percentage. That's why the 265/35-18 maintains the front-rear ratio better on the '91-93 cars when used with a 215/40-17 front tire (whose OD is 3 percent larger than the '91-93 stock).

Correction: Checked tires on my car I have Front 225/35/17 Rear 265/35/18. Will this combo work ok?

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by AKUDOU:
Correction: Checked tires on my car I have Front 225/35/17 Rear 265/35/18. Will this combo work ok?

Your car is a '93. Compared with the stock tire sizes, your front tires are 0.6 percent larger than stock, and the rear tires are 1.8 percent larger than stock. The front-to-rear ratio only changes by about 1.2 percent, so the TCS should work fine.

However, I would guess that you might get some occasional rubbing on the front fender wells with those sizes...? In any case, I wouldn't worry about it for now. If and when you need new front tires, I might consider changing to 215/40-17.

 

[AKUDOU]

Thanks nsxtasy: Looks like the next set will be 215/40/17. I have noticed that 225/35/17 are scarce and the Pirelli P7000 is the only tire I can find in this size.The SO2 Pole position was my favorite especially because of the scuff protector and that part of the design should of been carried over to the SO3.

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
Your car is a '93. Compared with the stock tire sizes, your front tires are 0.6 percent larger than stock, and the rear tires are 1.8 percent larger than stock. The front-to-rear ratio only changes by about 1.2 percent, so the TCS should work fine.

However, I would guess that you might get some occasional rubbing on the front fender wells with those sizes...? In any case, I wouldn't worry about it for now. If and when you need new front tires, I might consider changing to 215/40-17.

[This message has been edited by AKUDOU (edited 02 March 2003).]

 

[Litespeeds]

I personally think that the 17x7 and 18x7.5 sizes are a little to the small side.
Stock sizes are 15x6.5 and 16x8
or 16x7 and 17x8.5.
If you must run those size wheels, I would suggest that you use the 205/40/17 for the fronts and the 225/40/18 for the rears.
Like NSXTACY stated, the optimum size tire is a 215/40/17 and 265/35/18 rear and the wheel sizes can vary between 7.5-8" for the fronts and 9.5-10' for the rears. Just have to make sure the offset is correct so you do not stick out too far. Also another very important factor is the style of wheels as many wheels will not clear the NSX calipers.