18/19 Tire choices!!!

**timeless1** · 06-10-2012, 05:51

Originally Posted by FuryNSX

I may be able to get a good price on a pair of rears that match the make/model of my fronts. Problem is the size is 275/35/19, rather than 265/30/19 or 275/30/19. Anyone know if there are TCS issues (or other issues) with running 275/35/19 in the rear with 215/35/18 in the front?

I've ran 225/35/17 front & 285/35/18 rears & had TCS issues. Now i'm good
with 215/40/17 front & 285/35/18 rears. Yes it's all about the ratio & if you want to keep the rear with 275/35/19, run front with 215/40/18 & should be good.

**nsxtasy** · 06-10-2012, 11:01

215/40-18 front tires are going to rub in the wheel wells when you turn the wheel - not surprising since they're 1.7" larger in outer diameter than the stock '91-93 size (that's HUGE!). Stick to 215/35-18.

**angus** · 06-10-2012, 19:01

I'll second what Ken said, Do NOT run 215/40/18.

**sduffass** · 10-20-2012, 20:53

Just bumping this up because it's good info and helped me purchase tires.

**solidol** · 10-21-2012, 08:30

Excellent info. Need the same for 17/18 combo.

**nsxtasy** · 10-21-2012, 08:48

Originally Posted by solidol

Excellent info. Need the same for 17/18 combo.

Briefly... Use 215/40-17 front, and either 265/35-18 rear ('91-93 NSX) or 255/35-18 ('94-05 NSX). For maximum performance (stickiest tires), get the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec or the Yokohama Advan Neova AD08. For a bit less stick but a bit more treadlife, consider the Kumho Ecsta LE Sport.

**TURBO2GO** · 10-21-2012, 09:15

Originally Posted by nsxtasy

Briefly... Use 215/40-17 front, and either 265/35-18 rear ('91-93 NSX) or 255/35-18 ('94-05 NSX). For maximum performance (stickiest tires), get the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec or the Yokohama Advan Neova AD08. For a bit less stick but a bit more treadlife, consider the Kumho Ecsta LE Sport.

I just wanted to add that the Falken RT615K2 is also a good tire, and very inexpensive compared to the AD08 and Z1. Lots of bang for the buck and it comes in those sizes too.

**solidol** · 10-21-2012, 10:09

Originally Posted by nsxtasy

Briefly... Use 215/40-17 front, and either 265/35-18 rear ('91-93 NSX) or 255/35-18 ('94-05 NSX). For maximum performance (stickiest tires), get the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec or the Yokohama Advan Neova AD08. For a bit less stick but a bit more treadlife, consider the Kumho Ecsta LE Sport.

Thanks. What causing downsizing to 255 for years 94+? I see many more options for 265/35 on tirerack.

Originally Posted by TURBO2GO

I just wanted to add that the Falken RT615K2 is also a good tire, and very inexpensive compared to the AD08 and Z1. Lots of bang for the buck and it comes in those sizes too.

Thanks for sharing.

**TURBO2GO** · 10-21-2012, 10:20

Originally Posted by solidol

Thanks. What causing downsizing to 255 for years 94+? I see many more options for 265/35 on tirerack.

Thanks for sharing.

The TCS sensor. Keeping the front/rear "ratio" close to stock is important. You go outside its tolerance and it won't like it. 265 is usually still fine but not optimal for those years. You can go larger in the rear but you'd also have to go larger up front to still keep the diameter ratio within range. Since other sizes generally don't work well in the front of an NSX without rubbing, you are constrained to those sizes rear. If you don't care about traction control, you can get away screwing up the ratio more. Although it may affect ABS, I don't know... ken might know.

Going big is really a detriment in many ways though, as has been talked about countless times. It's fine on a car that has more engine, more suspension, more brakes, more aero. On a stockish NSX you are creating extra rotating mass and that will slow your car in every way, make it less responsive. I have more engine, more suspension, and more brakes, but I still chose to go super lightweight on my wheels and tires. You really need to be a very very experienced track rat to start to clearly need more tire size when you have already gone beyond compound.

**nsxtasy** · 10-21-2012, 10:27

Originally Posted by solidol

What causing downsizing to 255 for years 94+? I see many more options for 265/35 on tirerack.

All three of the tires I recommended above for 17"/18" are available in both 255/35-18 and 265/35-18. (And FWIW, the 215/40-17 front size needed is actually much more restrictive in terms of tire availability than either 18" rear size.)

Originally Posted by TURBO2GO

The TCS sensor. Keeping the front/rear "ratio" close to stock is important. You go outside its tolerance and it won't like it.

Yes, exactly. The outer diameter of the stock-sized rear tires was 7.8 percent larger than the fronts in '91-93, 4.7 percent in '94-01, and 5.3 percent in '02-05. Hence the need for larger rear tires (relative to the fronts) in '91-93 than the later years.

Originally Posted by TURBO2GO

Although it may affect ABS, I don't know... ken might know.

Tire size doesn't affect the ABS, only the TCS.

**TURBO2GO** · 10-21-2012, 10:30

Originally Posted by nsxtasy

Tire size doesn't affect the ABS, only the TCS.

Not ever? Doesn't it use the speed sensor as an input? What if you are changing rear tire size so much you are affecting gear and speed sensor ratio?

**solidol** · 10-21-2012, 16:52

TURBO2GO, nsxtasy - thanks guys - much appreciated.

As far as my take on tire sizes goes - I always try to stick to factory spec. The thing is I picked up 17x8/18x9 combo and it has 215/40 and fat 275/30 in the back. These are all-season tires that will serve maybe few months with one run to tahoe/yosemite and I plan to replace them with summer tires. I will be keeping 215/40/17 size for fronts no question. Now rears seems like suggested 255/35/18 would be the best. I would even consider using 245/35/18 (which matches OE 245/40/17 diameter wise (628mm))

Now 215/40/17 dia is 604mm; so F/R ratio is ~0.96

OE F/R ratio is 600/628 ~0.95;

Not sure but feels like Works I picked up are heavier than 16/17 stock rims. My main goal is to minimize wheel/tire weight increase. So now acceptable sizes are known and last question would be how much each of suggested tire brand/model weights approximately in 245/35 VS 255/35.

//sorry for highjacking the thread - maybe we can move this 17/18 part of discussion to separate thread.

**TURBO2GO** · 10-21-2012, 17:10

What year is your car?

**solidol** · 10-21-2012, 17:45

Originally Posted by TURBO2GO

What year is your car?

It's NA1 '94;

After few hours of hitting search button I basically have two options (considering the use, price and longevity of the tire)
215/40/17F and 255/35/18R
option 1: BFGR g-Force T/A KDW 2 - price on tirerack 700
option 2: Kumho Ecsta LE Sport - price 550

These have same speed rating. And seems like similar threadwear rate (then again not sure due to different manufacturer)

Sorely on looks - not sure about KDW - I'm more of old kind of style person. And these look almost like 4x4 or tractor tire thread design to me

Kumhos look like awesome option especially considering the price. Not sure how KDW will behave when hydroplaning but thread on Kumhos suggest they will be good. Though it does not rain here and when it does NSX sits a home anyway

And so mostly interested in day to day use with canyon runs in dry.

Any input on weight, noise level, dry/wet performance?

**angus** · 10-21-2012, 23:37

Well the Kumho is a popular choice lately but I would still lean towards the star spec...

**sduffass** · 10-25-2012, 21:21

FYI I ordered 2x 265/30/19 BF goodrich g-force kdw2's

I had from an close out Dunlop sp 9000's that were 285/30/19 so we'll see how the new ones work out.

**angus** · 10-25-2012, 22:34

Originally Posted by sduffass

FYI I ordered 2x 265/30/19 BF goodrich g-force kdw2's

I had from an close out Dunlop sp 9000's that were 285/30/19 so we'll see how the new ones work out.

Let me know if my observations were correct.

**solidol** · 10-25-2012, 22:44

Originally Posted by sduffass

FYI I ordered 2x 265/30/19 BF goodrich g-force kdw2's

I had from an close out Dunlop sp 9000's that were 285/30/19 so we'll see how the new ones work out.

I was just comparing weight difference between Kumho Ecsta LE Sport and KDW2. Go side by side with .5 to 1lb diff fo sizes over 255/xx/18
Kumho is lighter in smaller sizes but KDW in larger ones.

**Plastics** · 10-29-2012, 11:00

Since owning my car new in 94, I have tried a number of different tires over the years.Two year ago, I refreshed and supercharged the car and moved to 215/35/18(F) and 265/30 19(R). At that time, the Goodyear A-1 were my choice. These tires were awesome in the dry and would shed water off a ducks back in the rain....an important factor for me!!

In any event, I needed new tires last summer and the lack of a good high performance tire forced me into the Bridgestone 760S. With this pick , I was also forced to 275 in the rears(traction control not engaged). Wow......what a negative effect on performance not only with the tires but also due to the 60 mm difference in treadwidth. I have hit bottom in the 18 years of driving the NSX....a performance car requires performance tires...why compromise....so on to 17/18!!

Lessons Learnt

**andre.sugarland** · 10-29-2012, 11:04

17/18 with Yokohama Advan AD08 is great combo !!!

**Hapa88** · 10-29-2012, 11:23

Just found another tire to add to the list of 18/19 combos.

Federal 595 (formerly the ss595)
http://www.federaltire.com/en/produc...ts_detail_sn=8

Available in 215/35/18 for the fronts
And 265/30/19 or 275/30/19 for the rears!
http://www.federaltire.com/en/images...1233035187.pdf

Not sure how good they are but I hear they are inexpensive. I'm curious to see how they'll be as a street tire with their UTQG is 240/AA/A. As a side note, I've run the 595RS-R (a different tire) with a UTQG of 140/AA/A and they are fantastic on the track.

**TURBO2GO** · 10-30-2012, 12:28

Originally Posted by Hapa88

Just found another tire to add to the list of 18/19 combos.

Federal 595 (formerly the ss595)
http://www.federaltire.com/en/produc...ts_detail_sn=8

Available in 215/35/18 for the fronts
And 265/30/19 or 275/30/19 for the rears!
http://www.federaltire.com/en/images...1233035187.pdf

Not sure how good they are but I hear they are inexpensive. I'm curious to see how they'll be as a street tire with their UTQG is 240/AA/A. As a side note, I've run the 595RS-R (a different tire) with a UTQG of 140/AA/A and they are fantastic on the track.

Man you are the king of cheap ass wheel and tires.

**Hapa88** · 10-30-2012, 13:24

Originally Posted by TURBO2GO

Man you are the king of cheap ass wheel and tires.

I like to call it "Best Buy".

BTW, changing my sig.

**TURBO2GO** · 10-30-2012, 21:09

Originally Posted by Hapa88

I like to call it "Best Buy".

BTW, changing my sig.

LOL... At least fix my typo to "wheels"

**bonhamsurf** · 11-01-2012, 23:35

Has anyone tried running the Michelin Supersports? I have an 18/19 setup on my Wedsport Rims. Need new tires, and I'm putting a Lovefab Turbo kit on, so a little more rubber wouldn't be a bad thing..
My current setup are FK442 tires
Rear 245 35 zr19 93y
Fronts 215 35 zr18*

Some things that play a big factor...

I live in Hawaii, so it's always warm.
I live in Hawaii and shipping costs sux major a$$, so I need them to last.

I had 285/30/19 rear and 245/35/19 fronts Michelins Supersports on my supercharged M3 and LOVED them.

Experience