1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

wheel/tyre question

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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 01:54 PM
  #1  
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From: cape town, south africa
wheel/tyre question

which combination looks/handles good on a first gen ?

1) 15" rim with 195/50/15 tyre
2) 17" rim with 205/40/17 tyre

please ignore the bolt pattern issue or use of spacer because of offset etc at this point. Just need some feedback from someone who has tried both of these set ups

also, if you have tried the 2 setups above and then went for something different, eg went back to 13" or 14" or upgraded to 16" instead, please state tyre size and reasons why.
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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 03:34 PM
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josh...just josh's Avatar
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17''s look retarded. it just doesnt fit the look at all...16''s are pushing it
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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 05:19 PM
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I agree with Josh, 16" or 15" would be my preference. 205/50/16 or 205/55/15 is my 2 cents
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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 05:30 PM
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My bud has 14.7s on his car with tokico blues and suspension techniques and they look awesome. They are superlites(www.packracingproducts.com) I think they are the perfect size. I wouldn't go above 15. It's a sports car, keep it that way. Don't through some huge rims on it, it will look retarded and actually slow you down.
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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 05:51 PM
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15s, no question. Fill the well up perfectly, arent as heavy as larger sizes, and offer a good choice of tires.


Heres my old GSL with 15" kosei's, I thought they were the perfect fit.
Wrapped in some good 205/50's, the car handled like a dream!
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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 06:04 PM
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With our smaller wheel wells - you dont need to go much bigger than 15s. I agree with Gen1

These are 13's


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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by josh...just josh
17''s look retarded. it just doesnt fit the look at all...16''s are pushing it

Really?



17"X7" Konig. 205/40R17"s up front. 215/40R17"s out back. I have run 13"s (cushey ride, but will probably put you in the ditch), 14"s (just enough traction to fool you into thinking you won't go in the ditch), 17"s (feels like your on on a monorail). I haven't tried 15"s or 16"s on the 7, but the 16"s on my BMW seem to hang pretty good. Give up some of the coushey ride, but sticks in the curves.
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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 06:24 PM
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Well I have previously had 15"x7"s all round with 195/50/15 front and 205/50/15 rear. i now have 17"x7"s with 205/40/17 front and 215/40/17" rears. I was quite surprised at ride quality with 17"s it's really not that much worse than with the 15"s. Turn in feels a little different because front is higher than with 17"s but overall 17"s on a 1st gen aren't too bad.

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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 10:37 PM
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I think the 15's look better, IMO
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Old Jan 19, 2007 | 12:42 AM
  #10  
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17" is too big, they look too big for the car IMO. I'm going 16" on my 82 and I think its perfect. That 1" really makes a difference. I don't particularly like the tire choices for 15" or smaller wheels. No real good high performance tires. I'll be going with 205/45R16 Yokohama Parada Spec 2's.

But your wheel choice is going to depend on what type of performance you want. For drag, more sidewall is recommended for traction off the line, but for autocross or track, you want a smaller sidewall. I think a 45 series tire is a good comprimise between the two.
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Old Jan 20, 2007 | 12:22 AM
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alternate

Niether A or B
Try 225/50-15's on 15x7 wheels with 12mm offset.

Originally Posted by craigw1
which combination looks/handles good on a first gen ?

1) 15" rim with 195/50/15 tyre
2) 17" rim with 205/40/17 tyre

please ignore the bolt pattern issue or use of spacer because of offset etc at this point. Just need some feedback from someone who has tried both of these set ups

also, if you have tried the 2 setups above and then went for something different, eg went back to 13" or 14" or upgraded to 16" instead, please state tyre size and reasons why.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2007 | 02:14 PM
  #12  
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From: cape town, south africa
ok, consensus seems to be 15"

and tyre size up to 205/50/15 all round

won't be used for drag or auto-x. just fast street. I just love giving the 7 a good burn down the highway

if you haven't seen before, check this out (with 13" wheels)

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Old Jan 20, 2007 | 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by josh...just josh
17''s look retarded. it just doesnt fit the look at all...16''s are pushing it
That's the damn truth. I hate 7's with more than 16". They are just not supposed to look like that.

Just like kicker boxes in the hatch ! Build it in or keep that **** behind a truck seat somewhere!
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Old Jan 20, 2007 | 07:03 PM
  #14  
DAVID GRIMES's Avatar
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Oh, they're tires, dude. They were invented in the US and they are tires !
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Old Jan 21, 2007 | 01:23 AM
  #15  
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From: cape town, south africa
yeah yeah....tyre, tire.....hood, bonnet...robot, traffic light.....tranny, gearbox

you all know what i'm talking about :-)
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