I have a 92 civic hatch with 16x7's +42 offset..

My problem is, i can't find any good competition tires for my 16" rim. I think 195/50/16 is too tall and will rub everywhere, and 205/50/16 will too! I currently run 205/40/16 Azenis, but need something less greasy and more competition style (50 treadwear is the minimum treadwear for my race class).

What can i fit as far as R comps that wont rub the crap out of my fenders?

I'd appreciate any info on this!

 

I am not aware of any R compound track tires available in the smaller 16" sizes you need. My recommendation is to get a set of 15" wheels for track use. (There are plenty of used sets that originally came on Civics and Integras that you can find for cheap.) You can then get 205/50-15 tires to fit them; most R compound tires are available in that size.

If you want to try another sticky 16" street tire, both the Bridgestone Potenza RE01R and the Toyo R1R are available in 205/45-16, whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than 195/50-16, although it's still larger than your current 205/40-16. So either of these may still rub.

Here are the outer diameters of these sizes, for comparison; remember that a difference of X inches in diameter means a difference in clearance (i.e. difference in radius) of half that much:

175/70-13: 22.22" (your probable stock size)
205/40-16: 22.46" (-0.8 percent)
205/50-15: 23.07" (+1.9 percent)
205/45-16: 23.26" (+2.7 percent)
195/50-16: 23.68" (+4.6 percent)
205/50-16: 24.07" (+6.3 percent)

 

Thanks for the info! Seems i may have to just get 15's after all... Sigh.

I really like the feel of the 16's though. Dang.