I got a good deal on a new set of BFG Drag radials in the sizes 225/50/15 and 215/45/15. i want to pick up one of these sets before shopping around for wheels

I will be using the tires on a EK hatchback that currently has no drop. which width of a rim is better to use on my car with the tire sizes listed above? a 7.0", 7.5" or a 8" wide rim?

i really want to run a wide tire (drag radials) on the street so the wider the rim and tire.. the better (even if i have to modify the inside of the fender wells)

also... when shopping around for wheels.. what offset should i be looking for to work on a EK hatchback?



Modified by boostedK20a2 at 9:04 AM 12/24/2005

 

On the website of the tire manufacturer or a dealer like the Tire Rack, you can look up the specs for any model and size of tire to see the range of approved rim widths. You're better off in the middle of the range; at the low end, the tires will appear to bulge a lot, and at the high end, they will look stretched onto the rim.

I think it's funny that you're getting drag radials, but you're getting oversized tires that will hurt your acceleration...

 

so even with a 215/45/50 you consider it to be oversized? i want to reduce traction problems as much as possible.

what do you consider a good size?


Modified by boostedK20a2 at 8:41 AM 12/24/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by boostedK20a2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so even with a 215/45/50 you consider it to be oversized?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was referring to 225/50-15. If you're considering 215/45-15 (I'm sure you don't mean 50-inch wheels ), there are virtually no tires available in that size.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by boostedK20a2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what do you consider a good size?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Unless you're autocrossing competitively and worried about that last hundredth of a second, I would just get 205/50-15, which won't hurt your acceleration at all (the outer diameter is actually slightly smaller than your car's stock size of 185/65-14). There are lots and lots of great tires out there in 205/50-15, everything from budget performance tires, to top-of-the-line performance tires, to the super-sticky almost-a-track-tire Falken Azenis RT-615, to R compound tires for autocross or the racetrack. If you're looking specifically for a tire for the dragstrip, Dunlop makes one, as noted in this topic. And you shouldn't have to worry about modifying your fender wells (assuming you choose wheels with the proper offset for your car - and sorry, I'm not sure what offset is best). Most 205/50-15 tires have an approved rim width range of 5.5-7.5 inches, so I would suggest 15x6, 15x6.5, or 15x7 wheels.

 

cool.. thanks alot for the info.

i didnt even notice the typo, lol. ill edit it.

 

if you want a drag radial i would suggest the BFG drag radial in the 205/50/15

 

Is this for the drag strip or street use?

 

i will be using it mainly for the street (will see the strip once in awhile till i get slicks)

 

Since it's mainly for street use, I would recommend street tires rather than drag radials.

The Falken Azenis RT-615 is about the stickiest street tire around, but it wears quickly.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by boostedK20a2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i will be using it mainly for the street (will see the strip once in awhile till i get slicks)</TD></TR></TABLE>


If you are using it for street, as I suspected you were, don't use drag radials. They are illegal in most places, you will wear them down quickly, and if you thought you had traction problems before wait till the first rain storm, you will get owned.

Cheers!

 

i know all the downsides of driving drag radials in the rain. i have used it on my other cars. the car will not be a daily driver... it will be more like a weekend car.