EM1OwnerSi

OK guys im looking into buying some new wheels and tires.. i have the rims i want but dont know on which tires i want to get..Im builing a profect motor boosted that wil make 400whp.. so with that in mind which tire combo would u prefer..HELP ME CHOOSE...


225/50/15 in front and 205/45/16 in back




or

215/45/16 all around

nsxtasy

First of all, get the proper tire size for your car. On your '96-00 Civic Coupe, that means 195/55-15 or 205/50-15 if you have 15" wheels, and 205/45-16 or 215/45-16 if you have 16" wheels. (225/50-15 is too big for street tires on your car.)

DON'T get a staggered setup for street use for your car. Get the same size front and rear. In addition to optimizing the handling, this will also let you rotate your tires front to rear. Again, any of the sizes noted in the previous paragraph will work.

Since you have a high-horsepower turbo application, you need to get the stickiest street tires possible, so that they will give you enough grip to handle the turbo. So get the Falken Azenis RT-615, which is available in 205/50-15 if you use four 15" wheels, 215/45-16 if you use four 16" wheels. The Azenis will give you the best overall grip on dry pavement of any street tire. The downsides are, they're not great in rain and they don't last all that long (10-12K miles is typical), but they're your best choice to handle the power of the turbo.

The Azenis is a summer tire and should not be used in winter, on snow or in frigid cold. If you drive your car in winter, get a set of winter tires and put them on a second set of rims to make your life easier.

inkedup

215/45/16 all around

boostincoupe

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">First of all, get the proper tire size for your car. On your '96-00 Civic Coupe, that means 195/55-15 or 205/50-15 if you have 15" wheels, and 205/45-16 or 215/45-16 if you have 16" wheels. (225/50-15 is too big for street tires on your car.)

DON'T get a staggered setup for street use for your car. Get the same size front and rear. In addition to optimizing the handling, this will also let you rotate your tires front to rear. Again, any of the sizes noted in the previous paragraph will work.

Since you have a high-horsepower turbo application, you need to get the stickiest street tires possible, so that they will give you enough grip to handle the turbo. So get the Falken Azenis RT-615, which is available in 205/50-15 if you use four 15" wheels, 215/45-16 if you use four 16" wheels. The Azenis will give you the best overall grip on dry pavement of any street tire. The downsides are, they're not great in rain and they don't last all that long (10-12K miles is typical), but they're your best choice to handle the power of the turbo.

The Azenis is a summer tire and should not be used in winter, on snow or in frigid cold. If you drive your car in winter, get a set of winter tires and put them on a second set of rims to make your life easier.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

The red coupe pictured is mine. I'm switching to 15" wheels all around this year, but I ran that setup because I already had some good 16's on my car, and wanted traction. However, no good 16"drag radials existed in a reasonable size.

vtecsi00

i say 205/50r15 falken azenis 615

nonvtecD

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">First of all, get the proper tire size for your car. On your '96-00 Civic Coupe, that means 195/55-15 or 205/50-15 if you have 15" wheels, and 205/45-16 or 215/45-16 if you have 16" wheels. (225/50-15 is too big for street tires on your car.)
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I understand why he shouldn't stagger sizes on the street, but why not do something like 215/50/15 all around. I'm sure there is a good reason but I've always wondered why turbo guys and high hp all motor guys don't get a wider tire. Wider is better right? I've been thinking about going with 215/50/15 all around myself is why I ask.

Dee

I ran front ADVAN A048 compound 215/50-15 and rear 195/55-15 on my DC2 for years without any problems whatsoever. I'm planning to run a BFG 225/50-15 and Neova 205/50-15 setup when the Teg hits the road again. Oh yeah... 400hp+ car.

I had two sets of front tires that I used for street, touge and drag racing. It was impossible to get Nitto's shipped over here and I think the SS compound performed great for drag racing

cpforyou

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I ran front ADVAN A048 compound 215/50-15 and rear 195/55-15 on my DC2 for years without any problems whatsoever. I'm planning to run a BFG 225/50-15 and Neova 205/50-15 setup when the Teg hits the road again. Oh yeah... 400hp+ car.

I had two sets of front tires that I used for street, touge and drag racing. It was impossible to get Nitto's shipped over here and I think the SS compound performed great for drag racing </TD></TR></TABLE>

I've used 205/50/15F and 195/55/15R in the past, and it worked great. I know it was pain that I couldn't rotate, but that was a compromise I was willing to accept.

nsxtasy

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nonvtecD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I understand why he shouldn't stagger sizes on the street, but why not do something like 215/50/15 all around.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Because (a) they will rub, and (b) the only tires available in 215/50-15 are crappy.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nonvtecD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've always wondered why turbo guys and high hp all motor guys don't get a wider tire. Wider is better right?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Tread width is really not that important to performance. The tire model you select is much much MUCH more important to performance. The differences in performance between tire models are WAY more important than the differences due to different tread widths of the same tire. So tire and size availability is much more important as a result. Bottom line: If you're looking for the most performance, concentrate on buying better, stickier tires rather than wider tires.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I ran front ADVAN A048 compound 215/50-15 and rear 195/55-15 on my DC2 for years without any problems whatsoever.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I doubt that. The A048 is not available in 215/50-15. And it's only been available here in North America for less than a year.

And I would NEVER use R compound track tires like the A048 for day-to-day driving, for all kinds of reasons. One, they wear quickly. Two, they don't really perform well until they heat up with a warm-up lap around the track, and you will never reach those temperatures on the street, so on the street they won't perform well at all. Three, they suck in rain. Four, they don't give any warning before breaking loose. Using those tires on the street is one of those things that just has "bad idea" written all over it.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm planning to run a BFG 225/50-15 and Neova 205/50-15 setup when the Teg hits the road again. Oh yeah... 400hp+ car.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's even worse to mix different tire models front vs rear, because that makes the handling totally unpredictable. In some circumstances (dry vs wet, warm vs cold), the rear tires will grip better than the fronts and the car will plow ahead (understeer), and then you'll hit other conditions (like a puddle) and suddenly the car will oversteer and the back end will swing around on you. This, too, is one of those things that just has "bad idea" written all over it.

For the street, the Falken Azenis RT-615, in 205/50-15 or 215/45-16, will give you better performance than any of these mismatched setups. And, on the track, some good R compound track tires (the A048 are good, there are plenty of others) in a matching set will give you better performance than any of the mismatched setups, too.

allstokhonda

I daily drive on a stagered setup. 225/50/15 up front and 195/50/15's in the rear. My new setup will be 235/60/15's up front and the same 195's on there rear. Old setup DD with pump gas was around 400whp.. Honestly, even with 225/50/15 BFG drag radials. Traction was none existant till 65-70mph on a good day. The 235/60/15's should be a little better, but 300-350 whp seems to be the max for my 225/50/15 BFG's.
With race gas, 550whp. I would spin till 100-110mph on the 225's. They wore out super fast.. lol..

-Chad-

Dee

nsxtasy - If you check my location you will notice that I do not live in North America. Ummmm...... I live in JAPAN. I have several sets of 215/50-15 ADVAN A048 tires and this size is stll readily available in Japan. Like I said, I had no problems whatsoever with my setup. I used SS compound on the dragstrip and M compound for Street/Touge.

I realize you are a lover of Azenis but over here there are far better choices for the street. What would I use here in Japan instead of Azenis? Potenza RE55S, Dunlop Formula D01J, ADVAN A048 M compound, ADVAN AD07 Neova, ADVAN AD05/AD06 Neova, ........ blah blah blah. With the exception of the AD07 Neova's, if I were trying to get maximum mileage I wouldn't consider Azenis or any of the other tires.

Look very closely at this tire and you will see 215/50R15 88V SS



The biggest thing is KNOWING how your setup will perform. I knew what to expect from my setups and have driven on various versions of Japanese "R" compound tires so I did not have any problems whatsoever. Hell, I went as far as to drive around on a COMPLETE set of A032 RS compounds during the rainy season a couple years ago. Would I recommend using A032RS in the rain to other people? Nope! I did it just for ***** and giggles while waiting for new tires to arrive from the main island. They worked a helluva lot better than the bald as hell and brick hard G-Grids.

FYI - A048's come in 4 compounds (MH, M, S, SS). I bought a couple sets off of Yahoo and got a free set of slightly used SS compound. SS is meant for time attack duty so I figured I would be able to get a couple good races of them before they died. Once you heat 'em up they become ultra sticky and wear greased lightinin'! S front/M rear was used for street and touge. SS was used on the track but I did used them on the street once when I had a blowout (G-Grid). It rained (rainy season) while I was driving to Autobacs and I didn't have any problems with a quick stop when an oblivious Japanese driver decided to cut me off.

Also, on my setup the rear centerlock's +40 offset is a good match the front's +50. The tires fit really nice with 205/50-15 ADVANS on the rear and the stance is almost as wide as the front with 215/50-15 rubber. Wheel offset is a VERY important factor when using a staggered tire setup.

My car is multi-purpose so I need wheels and tires that will meet the needs.
225/50-15 BFG for drag racing (215/50-15 SS compound A048 have been put to rest)
215/50-15 front and 205/50-15 rear AD07 Neova's for the street. If want to get jiggy for Touge or Gymkana I'll breakout the A048 collection. I have two compete sets of the centerlocks and I am looking for more

I am NOT concerned with rotating tires so I do not need a matched set (205 all around... blah blah blah).

Your opinions have been noted but since I have had very positive experiences with my staggered tire setups I will ignore your negative and overbearing opinion of NOT using your suggested setups


Modified by Dee at 3:20 PM 1/29/2007

DaveSi677

But if you haven't noticed we do not have any of does tires so the RT-615 is are best bet.

Dee

You don't have 225/50-15 BFG's? Hmmmmm... a H-T member shipped those to me

On a serious note: I know the ADVAN and most other Japanese R compound tires are NOT readily available in the US. I mainly wanted to correct the comments/opinions concerning the tire size. Hell, I have helped people acquire unique items in the past so if somebody would like a set of A048's I will help you. Just remember, the A048 is a stiff sidewall tire that is meant for circuit racing.

I understand the reasons why people shy away from staggered tire setups but staggered tire setups will work just fine if you run the correct offset wheels and do not care about the ability to rotate. I have been running staggered tire setups on Hondas since the early 90's with great success but that does not by any means make me a guru on tire size selection or setups. It's just my preference since I want the driven tires to have a the stickest and widest patch that will fit without doing extensive bodywork.

I also own an EVO 4 and I would never consider running a staggered setup on an AWD car.


Modified by Dee at 8:59 PM 1/29/2007

nsxtasy

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am in Japan trash talk </TD></TR></TABLE>

Gee, all the Japanese people I know are very polite, and don't act like juvenile internet thugs spewing silly personal insults. Let me guess - even though you are in Japan, you are not Japanese. Am I right?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DaveSi677 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But if you haven't noticed we do not have any of does tires so the RT-615 is are best bet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're right, Dave, with a few exceptions. We get the AD07, but not in smaller sizes suitable for Honda/Acura cars. And of course we get the R compound A048 and the BFG drag radials, but they are not at all suitable for street use, for the reasons noted above.