imported_mikepasini

I have a 96 hatch and have 15s with 205/50/15s on and am wondering if these tires might be hindering my performance (not handling, but acceleration wise).

I want new rims, but any suggestions on tire size and rim size for optimal performance? Thanks.

imported_trackhack

Bottom Line is:
Lightest rims(better acceleration), stickiest tires(better handling).

imported_mikepasini

i heard bigger tired hinder accel performance.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

it's a battle between traction and weight. wider tires are heavier but provide more traction. so you live with it.

imported_alwaysoverkill

15's with 205/50's sound about perfect as long as the rims are light weight. konig heliums and racing hart have some that are 10lbs.

the 205/50 should not hinder performance any noticable amount compared to 195/50, but its something you could consider as well...going with 195/50.

so for optimal performance go with a lightweight (no more then 10lbs) 15" rim with 195 or 205 tires. you do need sticky tires for acceleration as well, so personally i'd go with 205/50

and if your being really picky...you want a lightweight tire too! (look on the tire manufacturers website, some are 19lbs, some are 21lbs, so if your being really picky, you want to get the lightest you can that will still accomplish your goal of hooking for the acceleration)

imported_mikepasini

alright, sounds alright.

now with says 17s and 205/45/17s... would i lose much on acceleration and etc?

DumbasSi

My old 17's weighed 19lbs for the wheel plus 22lbs for each tire. Thats about 15lbs more then my steelies with tires. Most lower end 17's easily weigh 25lbs each. That's alot of extra weight for a little 1.6 motor to be trying to turn. When I switched back to my steelies, my car felt so much quicker. Big wheels like 17's ride very stiff too because of the lowprofile, stiff sidewall tires.

imported_alwaysoverkill

again depends on the weight on the wheel. i know heliums cause thats what i have. my tires are 19lbs, rims are 16.8 for a total of 35.8lbs. this should be pretty damn close to stock steel rims with 195/55 tires so no noticable difference

the bad:
it does ride rough (especially with stiff suspension)
and its no where near the lightest wheels (15"+light tire)
makes you worry when you see deep potholes
expensive tires (if bought in canada)


the good:
looks nice
handles amazing

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

i had Helium (10.7 lbs) plus Azenis tires so they were about 30ish lbs.