Ok, so currently I have 205/60R13 sized tires. I know they aren't that much oversized but it just looks to me like it is a bit too big. What do you think the advantages/disadvantages of switching to 195/65R13 sized tires would be, and do you think I should switch?

This is for an '85 12a 1st gen. Thanks.

 

I'm assuming you still have stock wheels? Only advantage I think is a more comfortable ride due to the taller sidewalls. From a performance aspect though, it's a downgrade. You'd be going to a narrower tire with a taller sidewall that would allow more flex. It's a little closer to the stock tire size so your speedo will be more accurate

 

If I were you I'd just use them up. Then when you need to replace, you can go with the smaller size if you wish. Stock size is 185/75/13. The 205 may grow on you.

 

Well, I'm not sure what you mean by stock wheels since stock is 185/70R13 as far as I know. But I don't think I'd be getting much difference in sidewalls since I'm not only changing from 205 to 195 but also from 60 to 65. Another thing is, I really do not want more sidewall flex. As for going ahead and using them up, they are already used up and I am getting ready to order new tires. I like the traction that the 205 gives me but I'm wondering, wouldn't the 195 give me better turning ability? (Since there would be less friction on the ground.) Dunno, what do you guys think? would I get better handling out of 195/65 or 205/60?

 

195's would just help you out in ease of turning under 10-15 mph... if you are not worried about parking lots and close spaces and have some upper body strength then i would get some new 205's

I've had 205/60R13's on my car for 6 years now and they are great... i'm upgrading to 15'' rims now and will be running 205/50R15's

The only downside to running the 205 with a 13'' wheel is that only 4 companies make them (i have cooper tires)... although if i'm not mistaken even fewer companies make the 195's in the size you want

Enjoy, hope this helps

for your wheel sizing entertainment

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

http://www.bigcustomwheels.com/rt_specs.jsp

 

Ah, yea, that's what I was wondering, I've been using these 205's and I don't have any trouble in parking lots and close spaces, but I wasn't sure about any gains I could get in turns. I guess it only helps under 15mph since they would of course have less traction but going that slow without necessity is just plain boring. Thanks.

 

When I get the coilovers installed, and finish wearing out my 205/50-15's, I plan to step up to 225/45-15's. I have never driven the car with anything narrower than 205's, since it came with the 15" wheels. I believe in having as much surface contact as possible, but I autox the heck outta my car......

 

My reference to stock wheels was basically saying you have the stock aluminum wheels or rims as people tend to call them. I'd stick with the 205, cause going narrower will just limit traction

 

205 for the win.

 

I'm currently racing on dirt cheap (45.00 per tire) Sumitomo HTR 200s. I started out with 205/60/13, but when I wore those out I went with 215/50/13. They fit fine using the stock wheels, and I'm kicking butt at the races so I guess their doing thier job.

 

true to that. when my rx7 was running, it hooked great with the sumitomo 195/50/13's that are on some diamond racing rims i have on the 7. couldnt ask for a better performance tire than whats on it. although, getting it sideways was way to much fun and cant wait to do it again.

 

Im going to bring my 13x8 stretchies out of hibernation. these are the stock steelies that have been cut and re-welded to make it a wide. Its going to my 73 RX-3 for original old school look. What can you guys recommend? 215 or 205

 

Deffinately go with a 215 for those 8's. A 205 would be stretched out to fit, while the 215 would be a little more relaxed fit.

 

I don't think 195s come in a 65 ratio, just 60, and its a limited number of manufacturers same as the 205s.

Also a 195/60 tire actually has a shorter sidewall than a 205/60 resulting in a tire diameter about 1/2 inch less. Only the 215/50 have a lower profile.

See this page:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...e1=yes&place=0

 

That looks more like a 7' wheel, since the width is measured from inside to inside.
A 205 would fit the 7" better than an 8". Still, for the old school look, I'd still say go with a 215/50-13.

 

yup, that one is 7". it has a bad bead so it leaks. my other set are 8"

 

I just put on 1k with the new BFGoodrich T/A KDW, and there are amazing. It feels more effortless turning at low speeds with these then my Pirellis. Plus they grip like crazy.

http://www.anywheretires.com/catalog...ce-t-a-kdw.jpg

I really like the tread pattern...

 

Ok;
I have 14's on my stock GSL-SE rims , what size tire looks the best for me ?

 

I'm running Sumitomo 205/60R14's on my -SE.

 

in theroy larger tires, width wise would give your more grip odviously. rim size wise the larger you go the better your care will handle but it would loose gas mileage, on my 79 i recently bought i have stock tires and dry rotted tires so i'm going to try to go 15' rims and as wide as i can, being as i'm 16 and the cool factor is key

 

I have another question to try to test my economics obssessed father's theroy that 185/70 would be more economical than the 205/60 due to the 1 inch diameter difference (according to him). I'm just wondering if you all think he is correct or not and whether it is worth the loss of traction.

 

Alrighty guys... thanks for the help on this, but now I have another question to try to test my economics obssessed father's theroy that 185/70 would be more economical than the 205/60 due to the 1 inch diameter difference (according to him). I'm just wondering if you all think he is correct or not and whether it is worth the loss of traction. I'm just going to include this in another thread if you want to respond there since it's kind of a different topic and it will attract more attention.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...50#post8311250

 

Merged your threads together. Please keep related questions/topics in your 1 thread. :-)

Thank you,