I see that the majority of people here run 205 or 215 width tires as a fairly aggressive street setup, usually on 7" wide wheels. If I were to have my fenders rolled or shaved so the lip inside the fender doesn't hit the tire, could I run a 225 or possibly a 205 with less offset? Normal offset seems to be +40, but I've seen guys selling wheels that are +35 and closer to +30. This is on an 01 GSR, just wondering to open up my options of wheels and tires when I'm looking around. I'd like to run as wide as I can for better grip. I'm used to running 275's on 18x9.5" wheels all around on my mustang, so going back down to a 205 is scary lol.

 

You might be able to. But my question for you is, how are you using your car? If you're in competition events where every last hundredth of a second matters, and you've already got R compound track tires, then by all means go for it. Or, if you have a show car where you're going for extreme looks, then too. OTOH if you're driving on the street, or even in autocross or track events for fun, you really don't need the extra width. Remember, the biggest factor in tire performance is the design of the tires, not the tread width; if you are looking for better performance, concentrate on buying better, stickier tires, rather than wider tires. A stickier, narrower tire will almost always give you better performance than a wider, less sticky tire. And unless you're in true competition, you don't need the added width.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen people putting wide but crappy tires on their car, thinking that it will give them better performance, but they won't. For a GS-R, a supersticky tire, like the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 205/50-15 or the Bridgestone Potenza RE01R in 195/50-15, will be faster than any other street tire, even one in wider sizes. Sure, if you're already VERY experienced at autocross or track events, then it might help to get some Hoosier R compound track tires in 225/45-15, but short of that, the extra width won't make any significant difference to you.

 

Um, thanks I think. I was talking about getting RT-615 or Dunlop Z1's or some other sort of sticky tire, but sometimes they don't come in the exact size I want. Also the same thing with wheels. Sometimes they don't come in a +40 offset. Can I run a +32 offset wheel without shaving the fenders with a 205 tire or will it rub? Just trying to open my options of wheels and tires, not worrying about buying wider cheap tires.

So can you answer my question now?

 

I don't know about which offsets work. Maybe OJ can chime in.

For a GS-R, you can get great grip on dry pavement with the following tires:

15" wheels
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec 195/55-15
Bridgestone Potenza RE01R 195/50-15 (oversized)
Falken Azenis RT-615 205/50-15
Toyo R1R 195/55-15 or 205/50-15
Kumho Ecsta XS 205/50-15

16" wheels
Bridgestone Potenza RE01R 205/45-16
Falken Azenis RT-615 215/45-16
Toyo R1R 205/45-16
Kumho Ecsta XS 215/45-16

 

15x7 +20 with a 205/50 on a friends DC2. Guards were rolled pretty aggressively front and rear.

 

Damn, +20 is nuts, didn't think that would fit. At least I know a +30 wheel will fit now.

nsxtasy, thanks for the size recommendations. The reason this came up is all the different offset wheels I was finding, plus I was looking at tires like the R888 or Advan A048 that come in a 225/45/16, which would be an awesomely sticky tire, but have a little width to it as well. I really like the Direzza Z1, kinda pissed they don't make it in a decent 16" size.

 

Are you looking for tires for street use, or for the track? The R888 and A048 are R compound track tires. They really aren't suitable for street use, for all kinds of reasons - rapid treadwear, poor grip until they get warmed up to track temperatures, lack of warning before losing grip, etc. Great tires for the racetrack though.

You'll need to roll fenders etc to use that 225/45 size, though. No need to do so with the sizes I mentioned.

If you really do need a recommendation for R compound tires for track use, LMK...

 

I don't really need recommendations on which tires, I just want to know what sizes I can fit in the wheelwells. I want a 16" wheel and at least a 205 tire, but the most I can get safely under there with the least offset would be the best. I have a buddy with a fender roller so that is no problem.

 

These are Yoko Parada II's 205/40/17 on +35 offset



They have a very square sidewall which im not fond of because I do not run a camber kit


Here I have Bridgestone RE 750's 215/40/17 on the same +35 offset wheels, picture only shows the front which have more camber than the back



These tires have lip protection and more angled sidewall, better looking and better rain performance from me.


All of my fenders are rolled, especially the rears... 215 is perfect imo with the right sidewall, 205 is safe and definitely looks fine

Rims are 17x7 btw

 

Thanks for the pics, your car looks sweet. I've been looking at some 16x7" +35 and probably 205 or 215 tires, so looks like they will fit just fine.