Just brought 2 new tires which are 205-50-15. Now I was planning on putting these on the front of the car (Integra), but currently have 195's all around. What effects would there be on the handling if I had the 205's in the front and 195's in the rear, or Vice-Versa?
Thanks for any positive input.

 

205f/195r = oversteer
195f/205r = understeer

This is under the assumption that both tires are made of relatively equal rubber compounds.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geratol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">205f/195r = oversteer
195f/205r = understeer

This is under the assumption that both tires are made of relatively equal rubber compounds.</TD></TR></TABLE>

wouldnt springrates have some effect on whether it oversteers or understeers.... most of the Japanese setups I have read about use a staggered tire size setup, with higher spring rates in the front and softer in the rear

 

Exactly the same tire, Falken Ziex 512, My dad said about putting the 205's on the rear to keep it planted and have more contct patch as the rear inside wheel tends to lift, hence the wider conatct patch the more contact.?

But then on the other hand a slight bit of oversteer would be nice to get the back end to come around more right? Plus I would gain more traction in the front with the 205's.

Anyone else. They are getting mounted Thursday.


Modified by Arsenal at 1:02 AM 4/28/2004

 

In all honesty, under most street situations, you won't be able to tell the difference. If you were autocrossing then a larger tire in the front "may" give you slightly more rotation (oversteer) under "certain" conditions.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by davidnyc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In all honesty, under most street situations, you won't be able to tell the difference. If you were autocrossing then a larger tire in the front "may" give you slightly more rotation (oversteer) under "certain" conditions.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not to argue or anything, but then why do they make tire sizes so close, ie 185-195-205, just for fitment issues, or when racing that slight increase/decrease can make all the difference.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Arsenal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Not to argue or anything, but then why do they make tire sizes so close, ie 185-195-205, just for fitment issues, or when racing that slight increase/decrease can make all the difference.</TD></TR></TABLE>

My statement was made just for street driving. For normal street driving you won't know differences. HOWEVER for on the edge driving (autocross, track days, road racing, drag racing ie. launches, and for the love of God - canyon driving ) millimeters will make a difference.

 

FWIW, If the 15" are anything like the 14" Ziex 512s on my MR2, there is a noticably large difference in contact patch between 195 and 205.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by navin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

wouldnt springrates have some effect on whether it oversteers or understeers.... most of the Japanese setups I have read about use a staggered tire size setup, with higher spring rates in the front and softer in the rear</TD></TR></TABLE>

Of course spring rates would change things.

I have run 235f/215r on my car and I had my hands full with more oversteer then was good, but that was on top of my rear stiff setup. I just don't like the idea of increasing oversteer by reducing overall grip.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geratol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Of course spring rates would change things.

I have run 235f/215r on my car and I had my hands full with more oversteer then was good, but that was on top of my rear stiff setup. I just don't like the idea of increasing oversteer by reducing overall grip.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

On the CRX in ITA/HC4 with 120 whp, we sometimes run 225f,225r and sometimes 225f,205r to induce oversteer to get the car to rotate. These are with 500lb front, 800lb rear springs. So, we already have a somewhat loose and easy to rotate car based on suspension alone. BTW, this is with no aero.

 

205/50's are a hair shorter than the 195/55's, so you will gain some gearing if you install them up front. personally i run 225/45 up front, and 205/50 in the rear (same basic overall height) i really like that combo a lot.