i did research, but i have found mixed replys. I am getting the Toyo TR1 tires for Rota c8's in 16". However, i have found an arguement for 205/45/16 that they are better for the track, compared too 205/40/16 on the street. Which would be better? Because i do not go to the track that often, but nor do i street race that often. WHich would be better for both worlds?


Modified by honda_coupe at 6:55 PM 12/22/2005

 

I would get the 205/45/16 if your not slammed.

Ali

 

The proper size for a car has nothing to do with whether it's used on street or on track. You want to select a tire whose outer diameter is as close to stock as possible. In your case, that's 205/45-16, for street use as well as track use.

Depending on which model 1999 Civic Coupe you have, it came with either 185/65-14 or 195/55-15 tires stock. Both these tires have the same outer diameter. The proper 16" size for your car is 205/45-16. You can also use 215/45-16, but it may rub slightly on the wheel wells, and not as many tires are available as with 205/45-16. 205/40-16 is MUCH TOO SMALL for your car; the outer diameter is about 4.3 percent smaller than stock, which is MUCH TOO SMALL. (205/40-16 works on older Civics which came with much smaller stock tires than yours.)

BTW, since your car is a high-horsepower application, you might want to consider getting a better tire for it than the Toyo T1-R. More specifically, the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 comes in 205/45-16, and it's not that much more money (it's $131/tire). It's a much, much better tire. Check out the comparison test of eleven top-of-the-line tires in last month's (December) issue of Car and Driver. The Goodyear came in first. The Toyo was eighth, and would have come in last except for price, and it's not all that much cheaper than the Goodyear. You can read the article here, although the internet version doesn't have all the detail graphs that were in the print version.

 

thanks man! your right. Great article too!