Fellow NSXers, I'm going to be ordering a set of ADR Enigmas tommorow in 17/18. I have no choice in the rears as they come only in 18x9 which should allow me to run 275/35 tires. However up front, I have a choice b/w 17x7 or 17x8, I'll primarily be running 215/40's but also considering 225/35's. I'll most likely go w/ the 17x8's unless any of you have experience w/ 17x7 in regards to how the above tire sizes might look on this width. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Front rim width?
- Thread starter QWKSLVR
- Start date
W
weiku
Guest
If the rear is only available in 18x9.0, you would want to run a 265/35-18 maximum tire width; I believe the "optimal" wheel size for a 265/35-18 tire is 18x9.5, but it will also fit fine on an 18x9.0 wheel.
Given a suspension that is OEM or tuned to maintain the balance of the OEM setup, I would run a 215/40-17 in the front. The optimal wheel size for this tire is 17x7.5. Since your wheel choice is only available in 17x7.0 and 17x8.0 for the front, it is really a toss-up. In order to use as much of the tire as possible in this size (215/40-17), I would use a 17x8.0 wheel to spread out the tread. However, this will make it easier to dent your rims if you hit a big pothole. If you choose to use a 17x7.5 wheel with this tire size, the front may feel a bit squishy, as the tire will roll over more on the wheel/rim.
A popular and very good setup is 215/40-17 front and 265/40-17 rear or 265/35-18 rear, on 17x7.5 front and 17x9.5 rear or 18x9.5 rear.
JMO,
Andie
Check the FAQ http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/TireWheel/wheeltech.htm
This link also is helpful in determining revolutions per mile and diameters so the traction control is mantained. http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi
This link also is helpful in determining revolutions per mile and diameters so the traction control is mantained. http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi
Hmmm... It seems that an awful lot of people are running disproportionably wide rear tires compared to the fronts. Surely this upsets the balance of the car by promoting significant understeer, which is noticeable even with the stock configurations. Are you more interested in appearance than cornering ability?
I am running 215/40/16 and 235/40/17 with stock suspension and alignment and still have understeer. When I go with larger rims I am going to look at going with a 235/30/17 and a 275/30/18 on 17x8, 18x10. I am not sure how much understeer you can get rid of with sway bars.
I just sold my 17x8.0 front mags because the rim was , in my opinion , to big for the tire. I now got 17x7.0 and they look perfect.
W
weiku
Guest
I wouldn't say that people are using too large a rear tire relative to OEM when is comes to, for example, a 215/40-17 front and a 265/40-17 or 265/35-18 rear.
OEM 16/17 is 215/45-16 and 245/40-17. Fine. But keep in mind that the rear rubber compound on OEM tires, whether they be Yoko or Bridgestone or Dunlop, it stickier than the front compound (this is my understanding).
Aftermarket tires are the same compound regardless of size. Thus, to "make up" for the lack of stickiness in the rear, you have to go with a wider tire, which explains using 215/40-17 front (approx. same tread width as the OEM 215/45-16), and a wider 265/40-17 or 265/35-18 in the rear. Further, a lower sidewall, which is true with the 265/35-18, will give the car less grip in the terms, assuming OEM suspension, because there is less flex in the sidewall, and thus it makes sense to use a wider tire to "make up" for this aspect as well.
ICBW, JMHO,
Andie
OEM 16/17 is 215/45-16 and 245/40-17. Fine. But keep in mind that the rear rubber compound on OEM tires, whether they be Yoko or Bridgestone or Dunlop, it stickier than the front compound (this is my understanding).
Aftermarket tires are the same compound regardless of size. Thus, to "make up" for the lack of stickiness in the rear, you have to go with a wider tire, which explains using 215/40-17 front (approx. same tread width as the OEM 215/45-16), and a wider 265/40-17 or 265/35-18 in the rear. Further, a lower sidewall, which is true with the 265/35-18, will give the car less grip in the terms, assuming OEM suspension, because there is less flex in the sidewall, and thus it makes sense to use a wider tire to "make up" for this aspect as well.
ICBW, JMHO,
Andie
I hadn't heard that the rears were softer (stickier) than the fronts. Possible I suppose, but I thought the more rapid wear is due to the greater weight and more severe alignment. Interesting thought however, anyone know for certain? I’m getting close to moving up to 16/17 and was set on the T1S. However, they actually have two slightly different versions with fairly limited sizes in each, so I was thinking 225/40/16 and 245/40/17. I’d rather get 255s on the back but those aren’t the same construction.
I'm not sure the sidewall part is relevant for a given overall diameter. As a percent of the width, a lower aspect ratio on a wider tire can still yield the same absolute sidewall height (and therefore overall diameter) for a given wheel diameter. I suppose the larger contact patch can then place a greater load on that sidewall, but that would seem relatively minor.
I'm not sure the sidewall part is relevant for a given overall diameter. As a percent of the width, a lower aspect ratio on a wider tire can still yield the same absolute sidewall height (and therefore overall diameter) for a given wheel diameter. I suppose the larger contact patch can then place a greater load on that sidewall, but that would seem relatively minor.
On my 97 NSX. The factory Potenza's show the treadwear rating on the fronts at 120(read very sticky) and the rears at 300(read not sticky). Suspension work (at least sway bars) should be considered when changing from the original design of the tire/wheel combo. http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/TireWheel/tiretech.htm
Just my 2 cents.
[This message has been edited by ANYTIME (edited 24 April 2001).]
Just my 2 cents.
[This message has been edited by ANYTIME (edited 24 April 2001).]
On my 97 NSX. The factory Potenza's show the treadwear rating on the fronts at 120(read very sticky) and the rears at 300(read not sticky).
That's not true. The Bridgestone Potenza RE010 is rated with a treadwear rating of 120 both front (215/45ZR16) and rear (245/40ZR17).
The difference in softness in the compounds between front and rear is really very small, although there are other differences as well (such as belt biasing). I would suggest not changing tire sizes or models or anything else to try to simulate what the engineers accomplished with the OEM tires. If you like the OEM tires and their exceptional handling, stick with them (pun intended). Otherwise, get whichever sizes would make sense for your purposes.
That's not true. The Bridgestone Potenza RE010 is rated with a treadwear rating of 120 both front (215/45ZR16) and rear (245/40ZR17).
The difference in softness in the compounds between front and rear is really very small, although there are other differences as well (such as belt biasing). I would suggest not changing tire sizes or models or anything else to try to simulate what the engineers accomplished with the OEM tires. If you like the OEM tires and their exceptional handling, stick with them (pun intended). Otherwise, get whichever sizes would make sense for your purposes.
nsxtasy,
Took the treadwear rating off the sidewall of my original tires, fronts are 120 and the rears are 300. I'll email you a picture of the tires, then reply.
Took the treadwear rating off the sidewall of my original tires, fronts are 120 and the rears are 300. I'll email you a picture of the tires, then reply.
Took the treadwear rating off the sidewall of my original tires, fronts are 120 and the rears are 300. I'll email you a picture of the tires, then reply.
Yes, I got the photos. Not necessary, I'm willing to take you at your word.
I'm going to make a guess here and I wonder if maybe you could double-check the rear tires to see if we can clear up this mystery. Bridgestone makes several different models of tires carrying the "Bridgestone Potenza" name, including several in the 245/40-17 size. Is it possible that the rear tires you got were not the OEM tires - the Bridgestone Potenza RE010 - but were instead one of their mass-market performance tires such as perhaps the Bridgestone Potenza RE730?
Again, no photo is necessary.
Yes, I got the photos. Not necessary, I'm willing to take you at your word.
I'm going to make a guess here and I wonder if maybe you could double-check the rear tires to see if we can clear up this mystery. Bridgestone makes several different models of tires carrying the "Bridgestone Potenza" name, including several in the 245/40-17 size. Is it possible that the rear tires you got were not the OEM tires - the Bridgestone Potenza RE010 - but were instead one of their mass-market performance tires such as perhaps the Bridgestone Potenza RE730?
Again, no photo is necessary.
And my tires are Proxy T1S. Does anyone have a neutral handling car and how did they mod it?
