Good tire size for 17x7 wheel on a Gen 2.

[SHOspazz92]

yeah until you go into corners real hard and your tire is rolling so bad your wearing the sidewall unless u put 50psi in the tire(basically narrowing the contact patch).....

the main limitation here is the guy's wheel size, no one is doubting a 225 offers better grip then a 215, but in the particular case the tires performance and dimensions are going to be different based on the size wheel it is mounted too.....

here is a picture that kind of shows how sidewalls wear, a proper width tire, wheel, and correct air pressure should make it wear until that triangle piece....... I've seen cars where the sidewall would be wearing as far down as where it says the treadwear rating on this pic......... if you all are going on about 10mm in tread widths making a difference in handling, atleast make sure your tire is working like it was inteded...... thats where it will make the most difference when you are at your limit

Looks more to me like that car runs a little bit of negative camber, wich is exactly what I would want when running "at the limit".

-Sam

 

[yamahaSHO]

I run 235/45/17 on my car and have not had any issues. The car did well and the tires didn't have any more rolling of the tire than I would expect on hard track use. My STi comes with 225's on 8" wheels, but I will be running the same size as the SHO for some rim protection.

in fact a decent 215 will probably run circles around a mediocre 225 or 235......

Compare two of the same tires.

lets not forget 215 is the stock size originally, its not like its some kind of unsafe width for a tire on this kind of vehicle.....

This "kind of vehicle" was not really designed for hard use, let alone track use. If you doubt this, take a look at the stock brakes.

also 215 is the width most of the v6 camrys and v6 accords come with from the factory, they don't have that bad of traction issues and have more power then a SHO...... the 215-60-16 size is making a come back

Not really a good comparison.

 

[Racer X]

yeah until you go into corners real hard and your tire is rolling so bad your wearing the sidewall unless u put 50psi in the tire(basically narrowing the contact patch).....

225/50ZR17 on a 17x7 MSR 190. I was running 40PSI. Sidewalls rolling? What?

 

[RonPorter]

Well of course it would, but in the same vein, a good 225 would have that much more grip than the same 215 on the SHO. The larger contact patch makes a difference.

Not on a rim that's too narrow for it, like a 7" or 7.5"

225s go on 8" rims.

That extra 4/10 of tire width for a 225 may not even translate into any extra tread width, just a fatter sidewall. All depends on the mfr, you have to look at the tread width #s to know for sure. Plus you can lose tread contact area when the narrow rim pulls in the sidewalls.

All those years that folks were looking at the back of my LGT on the track (except the track-rubber guys)???? Those were always 215 tires on 7 or 7.5" rims.

 

[RonPorter]

if you all are going on about 10mm in tread widths making a difference in handling, atleast make sure your tire is working like it was inteded...... thats where it will make the most difference when you are at your limit

Keep in mind that a 225 tire does NOT have an extra 10mm (or 4/10") of "tread width"

the 225 is the widest part of the tire on the sidewall. You have to separately look at the specs for the actual treadwidth.

 

[jmpSHO2nd]

I already decided to go with 225, now maybe someone can recommend a good tire that is decently priced. I am pretty much looking for good tire that will grip well on take off in the 1/4 mile. Not sure if I should go with a summer or all season tire for that.

 

[Racer X]

Not on a rim that's too narrow for it, like a 7" or 7.5"

225s go on 8" rims.

That extra 4/10 of tire width for a 225 may not even translate into any extra tread width, just a fatter sidewall. All depends on the mfr, you have to look at the tread width #s to know for sure. Plus you can lose tread contact area when the narrow rim pulls in the sidewalls.

All those years that folks were looking at the back of my LGT on the track (except the track-rubber guys)???? Those were always 215 tires on 7 or 7.5" rims.

So you're saying that Ford got it wrong with a 215mm tire on a 6" rim? If a 215 is properly suited to a 7" rim, what's it doing on a 6" rim from the factory? I think it's more accurate to say that a given tire is meant to fit on a particular range of rim widths, with one particular width being preferential.

For example, while the tires I have on now have an acceptable rim width of 6-8", the preferred width is 7"

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...dewall=Blackwall&partnum=25YR7HTRZ3&tab=Sizes

I'm currently running a 17x7 rim, which makes that the ideal rim size for this tire.

 

[RonPorter]

So you're saying that Ford got it wrong with a 215mm tire on a 6" rim? If a 215 is properly suited to a 7" rim, what's it doing on a 6" rim from the factory? I think it's more accurate to say that a given tire is meant to fit on a particular range of rim widths, with one particular width being preferential.

For example, while the tires I have on now have an acceptable rim width of 6-8", the preferred width is 7"

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...dewall=Blackwall&partnum=25YR7HTRZ3&tab=Sizes

I'm currently running a 17x7 rim, which makes that the ideal rim size for this tire.

The term isn't "preferred rim width", it's "measured rim width", which is the width that game them the stats that follow. When you change the rim width, the section width, and possibly tread width, can also change.

Ford (and other mfrs) select a rim and tire for a whole host of reasons. Putting a certain tire on a narrower rim also softens ride quality. So, from a pure handling/sharp steering response persepective, yes, it's the "wrong" rim size......but they know that. Check out cars tuned to the handling end of the spectrum, and they will do it right for folks who don't mind feeling the road.

Ford also put 225s on a 16x6.5" rim for the Gen 3, and my wife's '06 Grand Prix had 225/60/16 on 16x6.5. The car now has 225/55/17 on 17x7.5 rims, and feels MUCH better. If it were my car, I would have gotten 8" wide rims, but she likes a smoother ride.

All of the 16" & 17" rims recommended for a Gen 1 at TR recommend a 215 tire....as they should, IMO.

Oh, on your Sumitomos. Check down the chart. The 215/50/17 tire only has 3/10" less tread width, weighs 1# less, has a slightly smaller diameter, and costs $23 less per tire. And They will feel better in the handling dept, especially steering response, with the better tire/rim match.

 

[RonPorter]

I already decided to go with 225, now maybe someone can recommend a good tire that is decently priced. I am pretty much looking for good tire that will grip well on take off in the 1/4 mile. Not sure if I should go with a summer or all season tire for that.

Summer tires are the best for both dry & wet traction.

Just looking at Tire Rack's site:

Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110: $106 (bought these for my '89 SHO)

BFG G-Force Sport: $106

Kumho Ecsta SPT: $115

There's a few others that are over $120 each, like the Sumitomos that Hamal (Racer X) got.

In any case, DO NOT buy the Dunlop Direzza DZ101!! I scrapped a set after 4K miles. Like driving on lard when they got warm at the track.

 

[SinisterSHO]

I have nothing to add to this thread other that I am glad to see people having intelligent conversation about tires. On the local forum, mostly of Grand Prix's, everyone wants to put a 245 on the stock 6.5" rims to get more 'performance'.

 

[SHOspazz92]

Not on a rim that's too narrow for it, like a 7" or 7.5"

225s go on 8" rims.


That extra 4/10 of tire width for a 225 may not even translate into any extra tread width, just a fatter sidewall. All depends on the mfr, you have to look at the tread width #s to know for sure. Plus you can lose tread contact area when the narrow rim pulls in the sidewalls.

All those years that folks were looking at the back of my LGT on the track (except the track-rubber guys)???? Those were always 215 tires on 7 or 7.5" rims.

Maybe if you running a 50 series tire.

I put 245's on a 8'' wheel, with a 40-45 series tire. I assure you, they fit perfect, with no sidewall budging out the side and a FULL contact patch.

I think when it comes down to 10mm, It's all about preference. And yes, I know tire rack recommends this, or that, or the other - But tire rack also want's me to run wheels with 42-48mm Offset's, NO THANKS!

-Sam

 

[RonPorter]

I have nothing to add to this thread other that I am glad to see people having intelligent conversation about tires. On the local forum, mostly of Grand Prix's, everyone wants to put a 245 on the stock 6.5" rims to get more 'performance'.

Yeah Steve, it's a losing battle.......

The basics are that folks need to remember that you want the contact patch bigger in the direction of travel.

As with slicks. Generally tall, and with soft sidewalls, the contact patch is longer front-to-back. OTOH, getting wider, shorter tires with lower sidewalls can be worse for traction from a dig. As in: going to +1 or +2 with wider, shorter tires can easily have WORSE traction off the line. The contact patch has shrunk in the direction of travel.

The purpose of wide, short tires was to have a wider contact patch in the direction of travel. As in "sideways" (for lack of a better term) while cornering.

Now, while slicks like soft sidewalls to squat the tires, good "sideways" (cornering) traction needs stiff(er) sidewalls to keep the wider contact patch on the road. Put wide tires on too-narrow of a rim, and the tread squirms all over the place.

I generally saw this on the SHO, but it really became apparent on the LGT when I went from 17x7 to 17.7.5 to 17x7 then to 17x7.5, all with 215 tires. The difference with the extra 1/2" of rim was immediately noticeable on the street as well as the track.

 

[32MTX]

I have nothing to add to this thread other that I am glad to see people having intelligent conversation about tires. On the local forum, mostly of Grand Prix's, everyone wants to put a 245 on the stock 6.5" rims to get more 'performance'.

yeah its nice when people can debate stuff without calling names and posting up stupid comical pictures waisting up the thread....... been too much of that lately here...

I used to be one of those people who would throw the widest tire, regardless of wheel width, on a car that would fit without hitting the body and think it had better handling...... I also used to crap in diapers and go to preschool...... its nice to learn better ways

 

[RonPorter]

Maybe if you running a 50 series tire.

I put 245's on a 8'' wheel, with a 40-45 series tire. I assure you, they fit perfect, with no sidewall budging out the side and a FULL contact patch.

I think when it comes down to 10mm, It's all about preference. And yes, I know tire rack recommends this, or that, or the other - But tire rack also want's me to run wheels with 42-48mm Offset's, NO THANKS!

-Sam

Well, you pick an offset for what you want. Me, I don't wanna trim fenderwells on "this" '89.

FWIW, I had an imperfect example when I had 245s on my 8" rims on my 911. Spun out 2x, and never felt confident. Replaced with 225s (granted, a different tire/mfr) and the car calmed RIGHT down.

 

[SHOspazz92]

Well, you pick an offset for what you want. Me, I don't wanna trim fenderwells on "this" '89.

FWIW, I had an imperfect example when I had 245s on my 8" rims on my 911. Spun out 2x, and never felt confident. Replaced with 225s (granted, a different tire/mfr) and the car calmed RIGHT down.

Tire Pressure, Weather, Asphalt Conditions..etc could have had a huge role in that. I spun out multiple times on a fast Auto-X course my first few runs on R-Comps, The car felt like shit. Slowing down my steering inputs and most importantly, Dropping my hot tire pressure by 4 PSI made ALL the difference in the world.

I'll always run a small sidewall (40/45 Series) 245 tire on a 17x8, It just works for me and there has been no evidence of any sort that they don't.

I better not start talking about the 275's race tires I have sitting on my 17x9's.

-Sam

 

[RonPorter]

Tire Pressure, Weather, Asphalt Conditions..etc could have had a huge role in that. I spun out multiple times on a fast Auto-X course my first few runs on R-Comps, The car felt like shit. Slowing down my steering inputs and most importantly, Dropping my hot tire pressure by 4 PSI made ALL the difference in the world.

I'll always run a small sidewall (40/45 Series) 245 tire on a 17x8, It just works for me and there has been no evidence of any sort that they don't.

I better not start talking about the 275's race tires I have sitting on my 17x9's.

-Sam

Tire pressures raise a whole 'nother topic!!!! as well as compounds and tire temps!!

Anyway, it also depends on the sidewall constructure (which also brings in the tire pressure deal again). Unlike drag tires that have the rim to help stability in a straight line, you only have the sidewall to keep things in check while cornering. For most street tires, they are a compromise for comfort, but lower sidewalls help, regardless of sidewall composition.

Foir the basics of sidewall support, think of lifting a 100# block. Lift it straight over your head with your arms straight.....not too bad. Now, move your arms down about 30 degrees. Not so easy to hold it, eh?? Same with a sideall.

 

[jmpSHO2nd]

So far with shipping and availablity I am going with either the Yokohama S.drive or Nitto NT Neo Gen ZR. I would save about $60 with the Nittos but I never tried Nittos before. I have used Yokohama before and was very happy with them.
Do lot nam ca tinh ao lot nam hang hieu Khan ta so sinh cao cap Chup anh su kien Do lot nam goi cam ao so mi nu ao so mi nu

 

[RonPorter]

So far with shipping and availablity I am going with either the Yokohama S.drive or Nitto NT Neo Gen ZR. I would save about $60 with the Nittos but I never tried Nittos before. I have used Yokohama before and was very happy with them.

Can't go wrong with either.

 

[jmpSHO2nd]

Can't go wrong with either.

Thanks for all your info in this thread, I am pretty sure I am going to order the Nittos.
Do lot nam goi cam ao lot nam sieu mong Ta so sinh Chup anh ky niem lop Do lot nam dep ao so mi cong so gia re ao so mi cong so gia re

 

[SHOspazz92]

Can't go wrong with either.

I still think the S-Drives are Junk. They replaced the ES100's and missed the mark by a long shot.

-Sam