My 96 ex is lowered on a set of H&R race springs. I believe im 2.25" lower in front and 2.00" lower in the rear. As of now I have a standard 195/60/R15 tire mounted on 02' Accord special editions. I would like to get a lower profile tire but I don't want to enhance my wheel gap to much. What would a 205/50/R15 or even a 205/45/R15 tire look like. Would a tire size like this look funny on a fifth gen? Anyone have any good pics of a 5th gen dropped on H&Rs on this tire/wheel set up?

 

if u lower car and have larger sidewalls >50% then it will look kinda awkward.

 

Simple math...

195/60/15 = 24.2" tall

205/50/15 = 23.0" tall, barely wider tire, lower profile, MORE wheel gap.

205/45/15 = 22.26" tall, again barely wider tire, getting much shorter height, MUCH more wheel gap.

Basically... In order to use a lower profile tire on those same wheels, you'll have to increase the tread width substantially. This will give a bad baloon look, not to mention tons of sway while driving.

195/205 is the correct tread width for that 15" wheel. And the correct height would be 24.2", therefore, a 60 series tire is required. Unless you increase your wheel diameter, or get a wider wheel, you should not stray from your factory size tire.

 

Plus zero would also constitute using 205/55R15, which gives you an overall diameter of 24". It's only two tenths smaller so it's not that bad. You'll get more tread width and a tad smaller sidewall, so you'd end up getting a bit better handling without being "overkill". This is the setup that I will be running when I get a new set of tires..

also try out: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

It states with the 205/55R15s, overall diameter is 23.9", and when your speedo reads 60mph you are actually travelling 59.2mph

Added: Pic
Just to give you an idea, I know they're not 15s but you'll get the idea. While looking up "Plus One" sizing, most places said 205/50R16s will stay 24.2" overall diameter. My wagon is pictured w/ 215/45R16s (23.6").


Hope this sort of helps.

Second add:
I visited Tire Rack and went under vehicle search for Plus sizing:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sizes for 1996 Honda Accord EX Sedan
Original Equipment 195/60-15
Optional 16" 205/50-16
Optional 17" 205/45-17
Optional 18" 215/40-18
Optional 19" 215/35-19</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Thanks guys, This info was exactly what I was looking for. The tire calculator gave me a clear picture. I will probably go with a 205/55/r15. Thanks

 

Glad to be of help. Personally I'd really like to go with Plus one...16s...205/50R16. It keeps the overall diameter the exact same as the OEM 195/60R15...but I'm having trouble finding a good deal in the OEM Acura rims that I want...(97-99 3.0CL "mesh" rims) so I might end up trading someone for their 94/95 Accord EX rims plus some cash on my end...but we'll see....