Hey all. I've got a 2000 Prelude which I've been running is STS. The car is stock except for pedals (which I needed to practice heel toe) since I've only been autocrossing ~ 3 seasons (about 8-10 events a season). The prelude weighs 2954lbs, stock tire size 205/50/16, stock wheel is 16x6.5 and I'm on 215/45/16 Azenis right now. I've gotten to the point where I can blame the car for my failures and make it sound convincing, so I'm ready to think about modifying.

Anyway, to the point - I'm (very) eventually planning to run STX so I think with the weight of the car I really need to be on 225 tires. Right now I'm debating whether to go with a 15x7 or 16x7(or 7.5) wheel. 15" would seem the better way to go, but 225/50 series tires are ~.4 in taller than the stock size. Also there are no MXs or Azenis in 225/50/15, as you all probably know, so I'd be stuck with pricey S03's. I have a little experience with S03s - my brother had 205s on his GSR and they measured actually at 225, so I might benefit width-wise a little with the 225 S03s. Plus I think they're as good overall as my Azenis.
Alternatively, with a 16x7 wheel,
the MX comes in a 225/50/16 which would be less than ideal since it would make my whole wheel/tire combo .4 in taller than it is now, but I'd get the extra width over the Falkens. Or I could get the 1/2"or 1" wider than stock wheel and stick with the Azenis.

If you bothered to wade through all that confusing crap, do you have any suggestions? Is my pursuit of a 225 tire not worth it? Thanks in advance

 

I would say go with the widest wheel you can fit on the car. However, be carefull about fitment. A friend had rubbing issues with some wide Azenis and actually had to step down his wheel size. Unfortunatly I don't know the specifics on which wheel, offset, size etc. but its something to remember.

One question, is your autocross tire also a daily driver? or do you use it specifically for autocross?

 

you can fit 15's on a prelude. 15x7 or 15x7.5 would be your best bet. Make sure you get an offset of +40 or more

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MattG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">One question, is your autocross tire also a daily driver? or do you use it specifically for autocross? </TD></TR></TABLE>
Specifically for autocross, but will probably end up staying on the car since I'll be too lazy to change tires at the event.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 57STS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you can fit 15's on a prelude. 15x7 or 15x7.5 would be your best bet. Make sure you get an offset of +40 or more</TD></TR></TABLE>
Could I get away with a 38mm offset?
I'm leaning toward the 15 a little maybe, but I'm having a hard time with the $132/tire price tag of the S03.

 

Anyone else?

I've gotten a few more #'s to try and help with the decision -

16" Azenis - 215/45-16 3.8 in.sidewall 23.62 in.diameter 74.20 in.circumference
15" S03's - 225/50-15 4.4 in.sidewall 23.86 in.diameter 74.95 in.circumference

According to the tire specs listed on manufacturers website,
Tread width on Azenis is 8" (measured on a 16x7)
Tread width on S03s is 8.3" (measured on a 15x7)

So wheels I'm trying to decide between are 15x7 ~12.5lbs or 16x7 ~15lbs

 

My first question is why are you running STS if your lude is stock? My second question is what wheels are you looking at? Not that it matters, I'm just wondering.

I think it would be more benifical to run a 15x7 with the S03's. More costly yes, but I think the advantages are worth it. Also, are your auto-x tires the same as your street tires? Since S03's are pricey, I'd keep them just for the track and get new tires or an entire new set of wheels just for the street. That's my .02

 

Get the 15's and the azenis'. If you're too lazy to swap wheels you'll still be ok burning up the 60$ tires. I wouldn't put much faith in those O.D. numbers if you're calculating them out.

 

Thanks for the replies
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MrIllegalX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My first question is why are you running STS if your lude is stock? My second question is what wheels are you looking at? Not that it matters, I'm just wondering. </TD></TR></TABLE>
aftermarket pedals push me out of stock. Wheel options are Team Dynamics 15x7 or used SSR Comps 15x7, and Rota Slipstream or Grid 16x7.
My autox tires are autox only. Right now I have Azenis on stock wheels and a set of cheap, marred stock wheels w/all seasons. Sometimes I'm lazy about changing them after an event, but with S03's I would definitely take your advice and get them changed.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Get the 15's and the azenis'. If you're too lazy to swap wheels you'll still be ok burning up the 60$ tires. I wouldn't put much faith in those O.D. numbers if you're calculating them out.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I can't get the Azenis in 15's because they are only 205, and with a ~3000lb car, I need at least 215-225.
About the OD #s, what was interesting to me is that going down 1" in wheel diameter is supposed to be better, but since the sidewall is taller, the 15" wheel/tire combo is actually bigger than the 16". So I'd actually lose a little acceleration, the opposite of what should happen.

Sounds like you both think the extra width and weight savings is worth the slight acceleration loss. Thanks for the opinions.

 

Azenis hate a lot of heat. S03's hate the heat even more.

With a heavy prelude, I'd personally go to a 16x7" wheel with a 215/45/15 Azenis. Not that it is that much wider than a 205 Azenis, but the 16" wheel will perform a little better on the heavier car. Remember that the 2100lb Civic Si is running a 205/50/15 Azenis. You need every advantage in tire size that you can get.

If if your heart is set on the S03, see if you can stuff the 225/45/16 that they make under the car. Talk about a huge contact patch!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Steppin Razor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I'll be too lazy to change tires at the event.


I'm having a hard time with the $132/tire price tag of the S03.</TD></TR></TABLE>

These comments you made are what led me to recommend the 15's and azenis'. If you're not lazy, or not poor, then maybe they are the wrong choice. I chose the 15" azenis because I know I definately am lazy and poor.

If you base your choice even partially on O.D. specs calculated from sidewall numbers, you might be smacking your self in the head later. Better to physically measure the tires before you purchase, if you're that concerned about it. In my limited experience with tires, the OD is hardly ever what the numbers say it should be.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">These comments you made are what led me to recommend the 15's and azenis'. If you're not lazy, or not poor, then maybe they are the wrong choice. I chose the 15" azenis because I know I definately am lazy and poor. </TD></TR></TABLE>
heheh. If I did go with the 15s and 225 S03's, I think the increased poorness would offset some laziness, and I'd do what I should - take them off after an event.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Azenis hate a lot of heat. S03's hate the heat even more.

With a heavy prelude, I'd personally go to a 16x7" wheel with a 215/45/15 Azenis. Not that it is that much wider than a 205 Azenis, but the 16" wheel will perform a little better on the heavier car. Remember that the 2100lb Civic Si is running a 205/50/15 Azenis. You need every advantage in tire size that you can get.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks for the opinion. I agree with the tire size, I need whatever I can get. The heat thing I experienced with the Azenis, but didn't know that about the S03s.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If if your heart is set on the S03, see if you can stuff the 225/45/16 that they make under the car. Talk about a huge contact patch!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ah, I wish I could afford them. I'm 99% sure they'd fit, I just need to win the lottery to buy them.

I've been wavering back and forth, but after reading all the opinions I've finally decided to waver until the season starts up again . But I've definitely got more food for thought.
Thanks again guys!

 

225/45 16 will fit. vwong from this board had them on his car. The stock wheels are a bt narrow for the tire though.

 

R compounds, DSP........

 

No R Comp talk here.
Thems Bridgestone Potenza S03. Not the hoo-hoo.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda318dx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">R compounds, DSP........ </TD></TR></TABLE>
DSP?? I'd need more than R comps to have any fun running an unprepped car there. Maybe someday though.
....unless... you're not my rich uncle are you?

 

After reading all the posts, here is my opinion.

If you're thinking about being competitive with your car, this is what I would do if I were you. Since the only mod that kicked you out of Stock is your pedals, I would remove the pedals and stay in Stock. Also, since you mentioned you already have another set of rims, I woud get R-compound tires on your stock rims. The reason is that it would cost you much more to be competitive to run in either STS or STX. Your car is currently under-prepped for either classes.

Now if you're just doing it for fun, then by all means, do whatever you feel comfortable.

And regarding 225/45/16, this will fit. I have been running on this size since March 2001. I've measured the tread widths between the 215/45/16 Azenis and 225/45/16 S-03 (both on 16x7) rims, and the 225 S-03s are roughly 1/2" wider. I also thought about trying to run the 215/45/16 Azenis on my Prelude, but too bad the Volks on my Integra were 4x100. Otherwise, I would have a back to back comparison between the two.

(Side note: I even ran 225/45/16 S-03 on the front of my Integra for a short period of time.)