Tire sizes

[nsxter]

Just a quick tire questions, I have two different 16/17 setups, my questions have to do with the front tire selections. I am at the Stock ride height.
1.) Will a 205/50/16 fit with no rubbing on the stock 16" rim
2.) Will a 205/50/16 fit with no rubbing on the 16" x 7 et 35
3.) Will a 225/45/16 fit with no rubbing in either setup?

If I go to a 205/45/16 it reduces the overall diameter, and there will be a larger gap to the fender, so I would prefer not to go that route.

Suggestions?

 

[nsxtasy]

1.) Will a 205/50/16 fit with no rubbing on the stock 16" rim

No. It will rub.

2.) Will a 205/50/16 fit with no rubbing on the 16" x 7 et 35

No. It will rub.

3.) Will a 225/45/16 fit with no rubbing in either setup?

No. It will rub.

If I go to a 205/45/16 it reduces the overall diameter, and there will be a larger gap to the fender, so I would prefer not to go that route.

The difference in outer diameter between 205/45-16 and the stock 215/45-16 is 0.35", so the difference in the gap to the fender is 0.18" - about one sixth of an inch, which would be impossible for anyone to notice, even when looking closely. But if it bothers you, stick with the stock 215/45-16. Or get 17" front wheels with 215/40-17 tires.

Also, if you want to reduce or minimize the gap to the fender, the proper way to do it is by lowering the car with the suspension, not by using oversized tires.

 

[nsxter]

Thanks for your response.
I dont want to lower it, its low enough for me. Using undersized tires is almost as bad. just they dont rub.

ok, just so I understand...1/2" bigger in diameter and 10 mm narrower will rub

I dont want to reduce the fender gap, just not make it larger.

I would love to have 17"/18" but the oems are not in that size, and unless you have two enkei rpo1's that that are 18" laying around I can have, (My 17's will fit on the front, 17x8 et 38) I wont be going there.

The last set of tires I had were dunlops z101, they were not acceptable in any way, except for size. I dont want those again.

 

[nsxtasy]

The last set of tires I had were dunlops z101, they were not acceptable in any way, except for size. I dont want those again.

I understand. The DZ101 is not all that great.

In the stock sizes, you can still get the OEM Bridgestone Potenza RE010, which offers very crisp handling. You can also get the supersticky Kumho Ecsta XS.

 

[kaede]

In the stock sizes, you can still get the OEM Bridgestone Potenza RE010, which offers very crisp handling. You can also get the supersticky Kumho Ecsta XS.

+1, But for a 16/17 tire, the RE010 though great in performance, is rediculously overpriced and is quite a old tire design. You may also try Falken RT615K comes in 215/45/16 & 255/40/17.

Honestly, you should just go with the 205/45/16 up front. It opens up a lot more different better designed tires and they are all very good. In regards to size difference, you seriously cannot tell the differences at all aesthetically, or driving around on it.

 

[PHOEN$X]

Honestly, you should just go with the 205/45/16 up front. It opens up a lot more different better designed tires and they are all very good. In regards to size difference, you seriously cannot tell the differences at all aesthetically, or driving around on it.

I think I purchased the last set of Continental ExtremeContact DW 205/45-16 from Tire Rack. What is available now that is comparable in terms of grip and treadlife?

 

[nsxtasy]

I think I purchased the last set of Continental ExtremeContact DW 205/45-16 from Tire Rack. What is available now that is comparable in terms of grip and treadlife?

Nothing that I'm aware of. You can get equal (or better) grip at the expense of treadlife from extreme performance tires like the Bridgestone RE-11 or Toyo R1R (or the choices mentioned above in 215/45), or comparable treadlife with a bit less grip from ultra high performance tires like the Bridgestone RE760 Sport, Yokohama S.drive, etc.

 

[donwells]

FYI

I bought a '97 stock height and stock wheels about a year ago and it had 205/50/16s and 245/40/17s. I've driven it 6-7k miles and never felt or heard and rubbing and cannot see any effect of any rubbing on the tires.

Don

 

[nsxter]

Well I thought I would give the 205/50/16 front size a shot, and what do you know? they fit with NO rubbing. This opens up a bunch more tires to choose from, although my front offset may be the key. I dont know but they work for my application.
This is my setup 16x7 et35 and 17/8 et38, 205/50/16 and 245/45/17 Like my old school rims?
Enkei RPO1

 

[PHOEN$X]

 

[nsxtasy]

Everyone I know who has tried the 205/50-16 Dunlop Star Spec on an NSX has said that it rubbed. There could be differences in the actual size of other tires labeled as 205/50-16, and there could be differences due to wheel offset and width.

Also note that what works on a '97 may not work on a '91; for example, a 205/50-16 front and the common 245/40-17 rear will almost certainly cause TCS problems on a '91-93 NSX, but not on a '94 or later NSX.

Fortunately, there are other excellent extreme performance tires in sizes that will work on all years of NSX, so you don't need to chance it with those oversized fronts. Consider one of these:

Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 205/45-16 and 245/40-17
Toyo Proxes R1R 205/45-16 and 245/40-17
Kumho Ecsta XS 215/45-16 and either 245/40-17 or 255/40-17
Falken Azenis RT-615K 215/45-16 and 255/40-17