Figured I would get better answers in this forum as apposed to Wheel/Tire.

My current suspension setup:

Koni Yellows
Ground Control Springs 450f, 600r
Autopower 4 Point Roll bar as well as front and rear strut tower bars (if it makes a difference)


I recently came across a set of 16x7 wheels with some junk tires and plan to replace them asap.

My question is if there would be any benefit in running a 215 size tire compared to a 205.

I tend to run my shocks on full stiff at Autocross events.....but will be turning them to softer settings when on the street.

My current tire is 205-50-15 Falken Azenis RT615 and absolutely love them so I had planned running another set but now that I have the option of going wider......should I?

 

Surely someone can throw me some pros and cons.

 

If you're asking about going from 205/50-15s to 215/45-16s, then (going off of Falken's site) you'll gain 0.2" of section width, 0.4" of tread width, and 0.4" of total diameter. Sounds like a good overall gain, except for the larger total diameter.

Now, as to whether or not those will make a noticeable difference, that I can't say. I'm currently using 205/40-16s, which have 0.4" less tread width than the 205/50-15s, and couldn't tell the difference in total traction from running the 205/50-15s. Then again, I went from having the 15s mounted on stock GSR blades, and have the 16s mounted on 16x7 Slipstreams, so its hard for me to compare having moved to a wider wheel.

It is kind of fun to run the 205/40-16s on the track though. "OMFG, I'm going 130!!! Oh, wait, do the math... Oh, only 122... OMG, I'm going 122!!"

 

Going from 15x6.5 with 205-50-15 to 16x7 215-45-16, to clear up any confusion.


Lots of people viewing.....but only one response!!

Lets get some discussion going.....

 

I run 15x7, +45 w/205/50-15 RT-615's for AX on a DC2R. I went with 15's for weight / inertia reduction and lower cost of tire vs. 215/45-16. However, I suspect the 16x7's w/215/45 would be a slight advantage against 15x6.5, particularly if offset is a bit wider.

 

what about a 225-50-15, bc im thinking about running this size with out haveing rubbing issuies. Is it noticble from going from a 205 to a 225

 

I believe another thread discussed the Azenis RT615 205-50-15 vs I believe the Hankook RS2 225-50-15 and people preferred the Azenis hands down.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B92P_DC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Figured I would get better answers in this forum as apposed to Wheel/Tire.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Some of us browse both forums.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B92P_DC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My current tire is 205-50-15 Falken Azenis RT615 and absolutely love them so I had planned running another set but now that I have the option of going wider......should I?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I doubt that you will see a whole lot of difference in performance between the two sizes, 205/50-15 vs 215/45-16. So if you're considering the wheels only for that reason, then don't get them. OTOH if you already have the wheels, or want to get the wheels for some other reason, by all means go for it.

Also, on an Integra, I would use 215/45-16 and not the undersized 205/40-16, which is the right 16" size for older Civics and CRXs. Another size you can use on an Integra is 205/45-16; the Azenis doesn't come in that size, but lots of other tires do. The outer diameter of both 205/45-16 and 215/45-16 are within 1 percent of the stock tire size.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B92P_DC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I believe another thread discussed the Azenis RT615 205-50-15 vs I believe the Hankook RS2 225-50-15 and people preferred the Azenis hands down.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup. Performance differences between tire models are almost always much, MUCH greater than between different treadwidths of the same tire. And the Azenis is a much stickier tire than the Z212.

Remember, too, that the 225/50 has a larger diameter than the 205/50, so it will accelerate slower in each gear (like putting taller gears in your car).

 

Thanks for the info nsxtasy.

I already have the 16x7s which is why I had the question.

Looks like I'll be picking up the 215-45-16

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Remember, too, that the 225/50 has a larger diameter than the 205/50, so it will accelerate slower in each gear (like putting taller gears in your car).
</TD></TR></TABLE>

But would the 225/50 be more grippy than a 205/50 assumming same tire(rt-615)

 

Im sure the RT-615 would be deliver better grip if it were offered in that size.............


but its not.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHC_me &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

But would the 225/50 be more grippy than a 205/50 assumming same tire(rt-615)</TD></TR></TABLE>

In what situation? Better overall grip probably, but in an autox situation the tall and soft sidewall will kill your times in fast transitions and slaloms.

 

good info (sorry to bring back from the dead) I have 16x7 w/41 offset (advan RGII's) going on an eg. hoping a 215/45 RT-615 or 215/40 toyo t1-r/s - this would be for street/autoX. are there any other tires out there worth looking at?

I am also looking into a 16x7 Racing Hart CP-035 strictly for track purpose - & would appreciate any advice for tires

if it matters I am running 16" to clear RL 4pot front calipers (huge - i know) & running NSX calipers in the rear & yes, I will have enough hp to use brakes that big

 

why not put 215-45/16 front and 205-50/15 rear.

 

the RS2 comes in 225/45-15 also, same diameter as 205/50s

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 6SPD_EK &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">good info (sorry to bring back from the dead) I have 16x7 w/41 offset (advan RGII's) going on an eg. hoping a 215/45 RT-615 or 215/40 toyo t1-r/s - this would be for street/autoX. are there any other tires out there worth looking at?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes.

First, though, the Toyo T1R (and its T1S predecessor) are nowhere near as sticky as the RT-615. The Toyo is better in rain and lasts longer, though - although if you're looking for those characteristics, there are other tires worth considering too. However, since we're in the RR/AX forum, I'll assume you care only about maximizing your dry traction, and the heck with everything else. In that case, yes, there's one other tire worth considering: the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R. It's available in 205/45-16, and it beat the RT-615 in Grassroots Motorsports testing.

However, for a '92-95 Civic, all these tire sizes are bigger than you need, and the oversized outer diameter makes your car accelerate slower. For your car, I recommend getting the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 205/40-16. (If you have 15" wheels, the RE-01R comes in 195/50-15.)

 

thanks for the info - I already have the 16" rgII's but those are for primarily the street.

I haven't bought the cp-035's yet but fear I need to go 16" to clear the brakes - I greatly appreciate the info on the RE-01R's for track purposes

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
(If you have 15" wheels, the RE-01R comes in 195/50-15.)
</TD></TR></TABLE>

How do you think these 195/50-15's would compare to the rt615 15's? I see that the Grassroots test favors the RE-01R's, but they didn't test this size. However I also saw that these 195's appear to be wider than the rt615 205's for some reason...

I'm leaning toward getting some of these 195's... hopefully they'll be quieter than the Azenis (and maybe last a little longer?) - in any case, dry-traction/handling is the priority.

 

195/50-15 RE-01R's are faster on an autocross course than the 205/50-15 RT-615's, period. The 20/50-15 RT-215 would give the RE-01R a run for their money, but they aren't available any longer.

The RE-01R's also last longer that the Falkens without dropping off performance-wise. The tires we ran at Nationals had 180 runs on them, and we shaved them to 3/32's to start... and still going! Just as fast as any newer set we compared them against.