Offset & Tire Width?
So let me start by preficing this question before i get flamed so here it is.
I currently have a K20 in my EK but have a issue with getting traction in 1st and 2nd gear when i am WOT. This is probably because i am using 185/60/14s.
So my thought is to get some 15s so as to add a little more rotational interia, and then get a set of 215/50/15 tires to help with a wider width tire that is in contact with the road.
So the question is with a tire like that, that may bludge a bit i am wondering if i should get 40mm offset wheel?
35mm offset so as to not to have inference with the tire and that spindle inside the fender?
I currently have a K20 in my EK but have a issue with getting traction in 1st and 2nd gear when i am WOT. This is probably because i am using 185/60/14s.
So my thought is to get some 15s so as to add a little more rotational interia, and then get a set of 215/50/15 tires to help with a wider width tire that is in contact with the road.
So the question is with a tire like that, that may bludge a bit i am wondering if i should get 40mm offset wheel?
35mm offset so as to not to have inference with the tire and that spindle inside the fender?
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BIG T »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So let me start by preficing this question before i get flamed so here it is.
I currently have a K20 in my EK but have a issue with getting traction in 1st and 2nd gear when i am WOT. This is probably because i am using 185/60/14s.</TD></TR></TABLE>
No. It is almost certainly because you are using crappy tires, not because you are using narrow tires. Remember, the biggest determinant BY FAR of how well a tire grips is its design, as reflected in its compound, tread pattern, etc. If you want better grip, the best way to do that is to get better, stickier tires, not wider tires.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BIG T »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So my thought is to get some 15s so as to add a little more rotational interia, and then get a set of 215/50/15 tires to help with a wider width tire that is in contact with the road.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That is NOT what you need. 215/50-15 is an "oddball" size, and there are no really sticky tires available. So you will still have traction problems, because you will still be using crappy tires.
If you want better traction to take advantage of your horsepower upgrades, get some really sticky tires. If you want to stick with your 14" wheels, you can get the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 195/60-14. If you want to switch to 15" wheels, get the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec in 195/55-15 or the Falken Azenis RT-615, Toyo R1R, or Kumho Ecsta XS in 205/50-15. Any of these will give you MUCH better traction than whatever you are using in 185/60-14.
I currently have a K20 in my EK but have a issue with getting traction in 1st and 2nd gear when i am WOT. This is probably because i am using 185/60/14s.</TD></TR></TABLE>
No. It is almost certainly because you are using crappy tires, not because you are using narrow tires. Remember, the biggest determinant BY FAR of how well a tire grips is its design, as reflected in its compound, tread pattern, etc. If you want better grip, the best way to do that is to get better, stickier tires, not wider tires.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BIG T »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So my thought is to get some 15s so as to add a little more rotational interia, and then get a set of 215/50/15 tires to help with a wider width tire that is in contact with the road.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That is NOT what you need. 215/50-15 is an "oddball" size, and there are no really sticky tires available. So you will still have traction problems, because you will still be using crappy tires.
If you want better traction to take advantage of your horsepower upgrades, get some really sticky tires. If you want to stick with your 14" wheels, you can get the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 195/60-14. If you want to switch to 15" wheels, get the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec in 195/55-15 or the Falken Azenis RT-615, Toyo R1R, or Kumho Ecsta XS in 205/50-15. Any of these will give you MUCH better traction than whatever you are using in 185/60-14.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BIG T »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well see i also what an all season tire so i do not need a multiple sets of tires for winter and summer.</TD></TR></TABLE>
All-season tires are designed as a compromise, a single tire that does okay in moderate to warm temperatures (not as well as a summer tire though) and does okay in frigid cold and snow (not as well as a winter tire though). There is no all-season tire on the planet that will let you take full advantage of the power upgrades you have installed on your car. However, if you are going to be using these tires in occasional snow and frigid cold during the winter, you absolutely need all-seasons (or winter tires), rather than summer tires. The very best all-season tire available in the 195/60-14 you need for your 14" wheels is the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position, and that's what I would recommend for your car. Especially at this time of year.
However, you will almost certainly still be having traction problems. Even the best all-season tires won't be able to handle the power of your car in warm weather, and THIS is the reason why you're spinning in first and second gears, NOT the size or width of your tires. Obviously, sticky summer tires aren't going to help you as we head into the winter months. But if you want better traction next spring and summer, the way to do it would be to get a second set of wheels and slap on a set of the supersticky tires I recommended above. (Note, though, that such tires won't last anywhere near as many miles as all-seasons or even longer-lasting summer tires.)
All-season tires are designed as a compromise, a single tire that does okay in moderate to warm temperatures (not as well as a summer tire though) and does okay in frigid cold and snow (not as well as a winter tire though). There is no all-season tire on the planet that will let you take full advantage of the power upgrades you have installed on your car. However, if you are going to be using these tires in occasional snow and frigid cold during the winter, you absolutely need all-seasons (or winter tires), rather than summer tires. The very best all-season tire available in the 195/60-14 you need for your 14" wheels is the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position, and that's what I would recommend for your car. Especially at this time of year.
However, you will almost certainly still be having traction problems. Even the best all-season tires won't be able to handle the power of your car in warm weather, and THIS is the reason why you're spinning in first and second gears, NOT the size or width of your tires. Obviously, sticky summer tires aren't going to help you as we head into the winter months. But if you want better traction next spring and summer, the way to do it would be to get a second set of wheels and slap on a set of the supersticky tires I recommended above. (Note, though, that such tires won't last anywhere near as many miles as all-seasons or even longer-lasting summer tires.)
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