Tires and Performance Differences

[haydenm315]

What does everyone think about 225 width tires on regular 16" slicer rims. I'm almost regretting replacing my completely torn dunlop sp5000 225's with new 225's. I think the extra width is slowing my car down some. How much of a difference in weight is there from a brand new tire to an old tire. On the other hand, I've got a lot more traction now and the car is easier to launch. I'm thinking I should have gone with 215's but oh well. It just gives me another excuse to get that y pipe asap.

 

[mopower]

I think most people on this board with the slicers are running 225 55 16 tires. I have them and have no problems. If you really want to go for the most performance acceleration wise, the added weight and wind resistance will slow you down, but then again you are driving a boat and I like the extra cornering.

How was the sho with the SP5000's? I have them on my other car and they handle great for normal to mildly agressive driving. But if pushed hard they give up and take a beating. I see the sho as a car that can abuse tires real easily.

 

[SHOZ123]

If you got 225/60s they are slowing you down.

 

[94mtx]

the 225 is a good tread width for the sho. the original size of 215/60 is fine for going straight and normal driving. if you drive just a bit aggressive you will roll the side wall. i currently have 225/50 yokohama avs-intermediates (on sale when i bought them!!) i really dont think that the extra 10mm per side is going to slow you down. from the wind resistance side sure there is more physically there but.. 20mm total is less than one inch, and it is in turbulent air. from the overall diameter aspect i would guess that the oe tires and yours are probably very close to what you have on there, go to tire rack and they have the overall diameter listed for each tire they sell. and i reall doubt that you( or any one else) can tell the weight difference. even though it is rotating weight, it is very small. but after i said all of this, it must be the tires that make your car feel slower, get the y-pipe!!

jon

 

[SHOZ123]

I have the 225/50 on my '93 in the summer. If he got 225/60s they are to tall and will hurt the acceleration.

 

[haydenm315]

SHOZ123:
I have the 225/50 on my '93 in the summer. If he got 225/60s they are to tall and will hurt the acceleration.

I replaced the tires with the same size which are 225x55x16, so I'm in between what you have. The new ones are definately slowing me down some compared to my slicked out and worn down set. The pp ypipe with cats has been ordered and is expected by friday I also went to home depot to get materials for the little ram air project I've planned. I almost screwed up bigtime and bought the pipe that's got slits throughout for extra drainage.

The tires have impressed me so far and are cost effective. I like the ride and handling of the sp5000's. I haven't given them race track abuse but they do well for my current needs.

 

[Mike93]

I don't understand how a new set of tires is slowing you down...doesn't make sense. Do you have any track times to prove this or is the the butt-meter telling you it's slower?

 

[underdog1924]

Mike Lundeen:
I don't understand how a new set of tires is slowing you down...doesn't make sense. Do you have any track times to prove this or is the the butt-meter telling you it's slower?

The different sized tires is what can change the speed. Different sizes change the rolling diameter of the wheel. Do a search for "tire size calculator" on Google. There is a good site that will show you how speed changes with tire size.

 

[SHOZ123]

Tire size calculator

 

[pjtoledo]

225-55/16 will work a lot better on a 7 or 7 1/2 inch wheel that on our skinny slicers. I'm talking handling, not draggin'. How can new tires slow you down? Differences in height, and "Tread squish". That's why tires shaved to racing depth are sold. Ever compare the weight between a Z rated tire and an H? The Z's are heavier, take more energy to spin up. How much? Good question. Point is, if your trap speed is, say for example, only 110 MPH,
why use a heavier tire?
Perry Toledo,Ohio

 

[94mtx]

weight differences with a z rated tire and a h rated tire?? i dont know many tires that are made in the same size and either h or z rated. that is just apples and oranges. even z rated tires or any tire for that matter in the same size but from different manufacturers will have a different compound and weigh different. it is unfair to compare 2 different tires on 2 different cars. tires are different things to everyone. i will give up quietness and ride comfort for a better handling and performing tire. but some will want more or less than me. next time someone buys a set of tires, why dont you weigh them individually at the post office or some where precise and when you are done with that set of tires, take it to the same scale and post those numbers. and back to the original question.. making you slower?? do you mean acceleration or steady speed?? the tire size calculator reply is a good one for the steady speed dilemma.

jon

 

[RStalveyARFF]

94mtx:
the 225 is a good tread width for the sho. the original size of 215/60 is fine for going straight and normal driving. if you drive just a bit aggressive you will roll the side wall. i currently have 225/50 yokohama avs-intermediates (on sale when i bought them!!) i really dont think that the extra 10mm per side is going to slow you down. from the wind resistance side sure there is more physically there but.. 20mm total is less than one inch, and it is in turbulent air. from the overall diameter aspect i would guess that the oe tires and yours are probably very close to what you have on there, go to tire rack and they have the overall diameter listed for each tire they sell. and i reall doubt that you( or any one else) can tell the weight difference. even though it is rotating weight, it is very small. but after i said all of this, it must be the tires that make your car feel slower, get the y-pipe!!

jon

Ahhh, a young one to tire size. Sidewall numbers do not make up mm, rather a percentage. a 225/55/16 would be 225mm wide, with the sidewall being 55% of 225mm = 123.75mm. A 225/50 would be 112.5, a 225/60 would be 135. Get it?