Stock size is 195/55R15. Car is bone stock except for the no name axle back muffler out back. Tax return is on the way, so it's time to start maintaining and modding the ugly mother. First thing I'm doing is replacing all four tires. In anticipation of possible future modding, I'd like to bump the tire width up one or two sizes (205 or 215). I've found 205/50R15s by Falken that I like, but don't want my tires rubbing when hitting bumps, even when I drop it down 1"-2" in the future.

Looking for any and all input. Thanks in advance.

 

205/50-15 should not rub, even on a car that's lowered up to 2" (assuming your wheels are the proper offset). 215/50-15 will rub. Also, the only tires available in 215/50-15 are all crappy, so they are a step down in performance - don't bother. You can get some very sticky tires in 195/55-15 and 205/50-15. And remember, a stickier but slightly narrower tire will ALWAYS give you better grip than a less sticky but slightly wider tire.

For 15" wheels on an Integra, the stickiest street tire you can buy is the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec in 195/55-15. Other very sticky tires include the Kumho Ecsta XS in 205/50-15, the Toyo R1R in 195/55-15 and 205/50-15, and the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 205/50-15.

Prices (in order of best grip):
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec 195/55-15: $94/tire with free shipping from Discount Tire Direct
Kumho Ecsta XS 205/50-15: $92/tire plus shipping from Tire Rack
Toyo R1R 205/50-15: $116/tire plus shipping from TireDeals4Less.com
Toyo R1R 195/55-15: $104/tire plus shipping from TireDeals4Less.com
Falken Azenis RT-615 205/50-15: $85/tire with free shipping from Discount Tire Direct

(Shipping from places that charge extra for it generally runs $12-16/tire.)

 

205/50/15 does not rub for me and i'm pretty low. it only rubs slighty when the car bounces up and down

 

I am running the stock GS-R 5 spokes. This shouldn't be a problem.

Is there a rating that tells you the relative "stickiness" of a tire, similar to the speed ratings they put on tires as a way of comparison?

 

Unfortunately, no.

While a tread wear rating is provided for tires, it is only an indication of how long the manufacturer thinks the tire will last under normal driving conditions, and is subject to much leeway. Th RT-615 Azenis, for example, won't last as long as some other 200 rated tires, but will offer more grip.

 

tru dat, on both counts.

Actually, there is a traction rating on the sidewall, but it's the same rating (A) for almost all summer tires.

As for treadwear ratings, they are not comparable between brands. A 200 rating on one brand does not necessarily last the same amount of time as a 200 rating on another brand.

Manufacturers also have quite a bit of leeway on their treadwear ratings. Not too long ago, one manufacturer changed the treadwear rating on one of its R compound track tires from 60 to 100 without changing the tire itself in any way. The Falken Azenis is notorious for fast treadwear, a tread life that for most tires would represent a 100 rating. It is my personal opinion, with absolutely zero supporting evidence, that it was assigned a treadwear rating of 200 because that is the minimum treadwear rating required for acceptance in certain competition series.

 

Woot, its even less useful for performance comparisons than one would at first assume.

Would be my guess as well. Amusingly, SCCA "street tire" mandating autocross classes require 140+ treadwear, and the only actual 140 treadwear tire I know of (Pirelli P Zero Corsa) is banned from use (it also only comes with 6/32" of tread).

 

I believe the Yokohama A022 (stock tire on the NSX) and Bridgestone RE010 (stock on the NSX and ITR) are both rated 140 for treadwear.

 

So how do I determine (or at least guest-imate) the relative "stickiness" of a given tire? Rubber compound (what it's made out of)? Amount of rubber contacting the pavement? Something else?

 

You can ask people who are familiar with a lot of tires, like on this forum, or possibly at your local track events. The Tire Rack website, and also the FAQ topic at the top of this forum, explain all the different kinds of tires, when you need all-season tires vs summer tires, etc. The Tire Rack website classifies tires; the stickiest summer tires are the ones they call the "extreme performance summer tires", the next stickiest are the "maximum performance summer tires", etc.

The Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is the stickiest summer tire you can buy (excluding R compound tires made specifically for competition). No other street tire will give you more grip.