The effects of "plus sizing" (wheels)
03-18-04, 09:17 PM
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The effects of "plus sizing" (wheels)
My 205/60/15 RE-92 Potenzas on my 15x6 91 coupe wheels are bald, so I bought some 9/16" spacers and installed my autocross wheels / tires: Nissan 300ZX 16x7.5s with Bridgestone Comp T/A 225/50/16 tires and took the car for a test drive. I have not ever driven this car with these wheels / tires, and the only FC I have driven with 225 16" tires was a stock TII . . so here is my impression of the driving feel of the bigger tires / wheels compared to the stock size:
Flinging the car around on the way to the car wash and back, it appeared to be much more stable in hard turns. This inspired a lot of confidence, as the tires didn't even come close to slipping or squealing at the point where the old ones would begin making me conspicuous. The 50 series tires felt more solid, and the bumps in the road felt more solid, too. Steering effort was higher below 5mph, but about the same above that speed. Acceleration was a little slower, and tire noise was MUCH higher! My car has very little sound insulation in it and the sound of the tires reminded me of those lifted four wheelin' trucks with their mudders on, but not as loud. At highway speed the car was very smooth and steering felt very light, but body roll mysteriously felt like it was reduced, probably due to the tires not deforming as much when cornering.
The wheels / tires barely fit in the front wells. I don't have my camera working so I can't upload a pic, but with the 5/16" spacers, I had three complete turns of each lug nut before they were tight, and there was a paper thin clearance between the inside of the tires and the front (Eibach) springs. The outer corner of the tires would barely clear the upper fenders when the suspsension was compressed. When the car is just sitting there, the tires are about level with the fenders; they really fill up the wells, especially on a lowered car.
So I will continue to experiment with this increase in traction until I get some $ to buy some 205/50 Azenis for my 15x6 stockers. I would rather use the stockers on the street because the car is faster with them due to smaller tire diameter and reduced rotating weight, but the big wheels / tires offer more ultimate grip.
And I don't own my Integra any more! It got totalled and I got paid because of it.
Flinging the car around on the way to the car wash and back, it appeared to be much more stable in hard turns. This inspired a lot of confidence, as the tires didn't even come close to slipping or squealing at the point where the old ones would begin making me conspicuous. The 50 series tires felt more solid, and the bumps in the road felt more solid, too. Steering effort was higher below 5mph, but about the same above that speed. Acceleration was a little slower, and tire noise was MUCH higher! My car has very little sound insulation in it and the sound of the tires reminded me of those lifted four wheelin' trucks with their mudders on, but not as loud. At highway speed the car was very smooth and steering felt very light, but body roll mysteriously felt like it was reduced, probably due to the tires not deforming as much when cornering.
The wheels / tires barely fit in the front wells. I don't have my camera working so I can't upload a pic, but with the 5/16" spacers, I had three complete turns of each lug nut before they were tight, and there was a paper thin clearance between the inside of the tires and the front (Eibach) springs. The outer corner of the tires would barely clear the upper fenders when the suspsension was compressed. When the car is just sitting there, the tires are about level with the fenders; they really fill up the wells, especially on a lowered car.
So I will continue to experiment with this increase in traction until I get some $ to buy some 205/50 Azenis for my 15x6 stockers. I would rather use the stockers on the street because the car is faster with them due to smaller tire diameter and reduced rotating weight, but the big wheels / tires offer more ultimate grip.
And I don't own my Integra any more! It got totalled and I got paid because of it.
03-18-04, 09:43 PM
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nice. I'm trying to get my dad to give me his Z32 TT's wheels when he gets new ones. and the TT's are 8.5 in back! that should affer nice grip. do you have any pictures of them on the car? I'd really like to see how they look.
this just shows how much tire sidewall can make a difference in stability. (Now I'm not saying you should go buy some 18's with 30 series tires
)
this just shows how much tire sidewall can make a difference in stability. (Now I'm not saying you should go buy some 18's with 30 series tires
)
03-18-04, 10:05 PM
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Re: The effects of "plus sizing" (wheels)
Originally posted by 88IntegraLS
I don't have my camera working so I can't upload a pic, but there was a paper thin clearance between the inside of the tires and the front (Eibach) springs. The outer corner of the tires would barely clear the upper fenders when the suspsension was compressed. When the car is just sitting there, the tires are about level with the fenders; they really fill up the wells, especially on a lowered car.
I don't have my camera working so I can't upload a pic, but there was a paper thin clearance between the inside of the tires and the front (Eibach) springs. The outer corner of the tires would barely clear the upper fenders when the suspsension was compressed. When the car is just sitting there, the tires are about level with the fenders; they really fill up the wells, especially on a lowered car.
03-18-04, 10:21 PM
#4
Lives on the Forum
Uh, I'd be careful.
We recommend at least 5 complete turns on the lug nuts for safety.
If you want to keep running them, get longer wheel studs.
Under $15 per corner, it's no excuse to be compromising safety.
You don't want to experience having a wheel fall off.
-Ted
We recommend at least 5 complete turns on the lug nuts for safety.
If you want to keep running them, get longer wheel studs.
Under $15 per corner, it's no excuse to be compromising safety.
You don't want to experience having a wheel fall off.
-Ted