Hey guys. I've searched all day for this, and found limited answers, so please don't flame me. I recently ordered a set of 16x7 rims, and was planning on buying some 205/45-16 tires for them. That's the size I've run in the past and have been very pleased with it. I went to my first track day this past weekend, and rode in my friends EG. He's running the old Falken Azenis 215. I was so impressed with the level of grip that these tires had, I started researching them. According to most of the posts I've read here, the Falken 215 & now 615 are the best street/track tire for the price. I'd love to pick up a set of these tires for my 16x7 rims, but in looking through the tire sizes, Falken only offers a 205/40-16 and a 215/45-16. I checked out this tire sizing chart found in the Road Race/Auto-X forum. It says the following:

Stock: 195/55-15
205/45-16 = -0.8% difference
215/45-16 = 0.7% difference

I'm now debating whether or not the 215/45-16 tires will fit on my ride. My specs are below. If anyone has any experience with this size on an EM1, please post up. If it comes down to it, I may just pick up a set of 15x7 rims for the track and slap on the 205/50-15 tires. If I go that route, I would probably pick up a set of Goodyear F1 GS-D3 in a 205/24-16. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

2000 Honda Civic Si (EM1)

Skunk2 coilovers w/ Koni Yellows - dropped about 2.5' in front, 2' in rear.
Adjustable camber kits F/R - -1* F/R
(Going to increase this to 2-2.5* in front)
Toe - 0 F/R

Wheels
16x7 +43 Offset

 

I'm pretty sure the answer is yes. Most of the cars with that size stock tire (including '94-01 Integra and '96-00 Civics) can use the 215/45-16 tire without any problems.

You might try asking in the '92-00 Civic forum if you don't get a definitive answer here from someone who has actually run them...

 

Thanks NSX. Anyone else have an opinon on this?

 

I had 225/45-16's on my 16x7 wheels (Rota Slipstreams, don't know the offset) on my EM1, even had the Skunk2 coilovers over Koni's too. They fit fine, and I tracked them. I rolled the fenders just to be on the safe side, but I never had any rubbing problems.

 

Any reason you chose the offset you did? I am getting ready to get some Rota Group N's for my EM1 and was wondering if I should just go 40mm like normal. Thanks

 

Well, I believe that the stock offset was +45. I wanted to stay close to that to help minimize the chance of rubbing. I believe you can run anywhere from a +40 - +45 offset with no problems, depending on suspension settings. NSXTASY would probably know better than I would though.

 

whats the difference between 40mm and 45mm? Can you see it by eye? I am pretty low on OmniPower's Full Coilover set and I really dont wanna raise it up cuz it looks awesome right now. What offset should I get my Rota's in?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jadmEM1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I believe that the stock offset was +45. I wanted to stay close to that to help minimize the chance of rubbing. I believe you can run anywhere from a +40 - +45 offset with no problems, depending on suspension settings. NSXTASY would probably know better than I would though. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Not necessarily...

Remember that the stock offset is for use with wheels with the stock width. When you get wider wheels, they stick out more on both sides. Depending on how your car's wheel wells are configured, you may get the most clearance by getting wheels with the same offset, which keeps them with the same center line and splits the added width evenly between the outside face of the wheel and the inside face, or you may get more clearance by using a higher offset number (pushing the center line in towards the car, needing more clearance on the inside and less on the outside) or lower offset number (pushing the center line out away from the car, needing more clearance on the outside). This is where it helps to hear from people with the same car as yours.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by all mtr em1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">whats the difference between 40mm and 45mm?</TD></TR></TABLE>

5 mm.

 

well im on OmniPower Coilovers touching the top of the tire on the front and just above it on the back, You think I will be ok with a 40mm offseton 15'' Rotas?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by all mtr em1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well im on OmniPower Coilovers touching the top of the tire on the front and just above it on the back</TD></TR></TABLE>

Touching the top is A BAD THING. It could result in tires that look like this (and don't EVER keep driving on your tires if they look like this):



<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by all mtr em1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You think I will be ok with a 40mm offseton 15'' Rotas?</TD></TR></TABLE>

You said you're touching the top of the tire on the front and just above it on the back. What size tires do you have now? What size tires would you have on the Rotas? What offset do you have now (stock 15" wheels with +45 offset?)?

 

Not sure of the offset on my oem si's but i just ordered my rotas, 15x6.5 and 40mm offset w/ 205/50-15's.

Think ill be okay or will it look stupid?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by all mtr em1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not sure of the offset on my oem si's but i just ordered my rotas, 15x6.5 and 40mm offset w/ 205/50-15's.

Think ill be okay or will it look stupid?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, the wheel size and tire size should be fine. I just don't know if the offset will clear everything.

If your stock wheel is 15x6 with +45 mm offset (big assumption), then with a 15x6.5 with +40 offset, the outer face will stick out 11.35 mm more, and the inner face will stick out (in) 1.35 mm more.