New wheels and tires. Suggestions/comments?

[Freeloader]

So I'm looking into my first mod being wheel/tire upgrades.

I have the stocks with 195/60R15 BFGoodrich Touring T/As.

I'm looking to move up to Kosei K-1 Racing 15's with Kumho HP4 716s.

All the info I have is from Tire Rack. The new wheels and tires are very close to the same size. The Kosei/Kumho would be 195/65R15 versus the 195/60R15. So my speedo will be something like 3.2% too slow. Nothing a good calibration can't fix, I hope.

Any input? Should I not go with these tires? Are these wheels crappy and prone to breakage?

The total from TireRack is $648, plus tax and shipping.
Edit: Just did the rest of the calculations. Grand Total of $752.20.

Each wheel is 13.5 lbs a pop, and even if the tires are 10 lbs, I'm sure I'm saving crazy weight versus those stock wheels.

[Freeloader]

Ok, so no love for the freeloader?

[Silver99SE]

If I was gonna get new wheels I would get something that required a lower profile tire, not higher. 65 series is a lil higher than the stock 60 series that you have now. A 55 or 50 series would be nice.

[mthegodfather]

I would go with a 16 or 17.

[voyager]

but.. a 16" or 17" wheel that is lighter weight is hard to find without spending twice what he's looking at, and smaller wheels accelerate quicker off the line.

i have 16" 21lb stock rims, and i'm having trouble finding decently priced 17's that weigh less than stock. i'm thinking about sticking with 16's just to save weight - because the weight differences is the real bonus of aftermarket wheels for me, not the bling. bigger rims handle better, but a heavier rim kinda defeats the purpose.

odd that you're getting 15" rims and still have a speedo change. maybe you should look at different tires - the recalibration isn't simple.

[Colin]

:agree:

[Freeloader]

Voyager: It's because of the tire sidewall height. I don't think I can get 195/60 in the Kumhos.

I would spend more for, say, Dunlops or BFGoodrichs, but their products in the same class are twice as much for sometimes worse performance.

So I'll take the 3.2% difference, and slow down a little bit.

Edit: Just looked around on the site. I can get the Kumhos in 195/60 for the 15" wheels, so that's the same as the wheels that are on the car right now.
Weird. Cars.com says that my stock could only be:
195/70R14
195/65R14
205/55R14
Yet, I have 195/60R15 on right now. Funky.

[Colin]

Don't forget the speedo is not the only thing effected by tire diameter . The final drive ratio will change as well . If you go to a taller tire your off the line acceleration will be slower somewhat . Just like going to a taller gear ratio .

[Freeloader]

Originally posted by Colin
Don't forget the speedo is not the only thing effected by tire diameter . The final drive ratio will change as well . If you go to a taller tire your off the line acceleration will be slower somewhat . Just like going to a taller gear ratio .

That's why I'm really wary of going to a larger wheel. Having big wheels looks pimp, but it affects acceleration and big wheels = heavy wheels. I'm looking for strict performance and weight management, even though I have a daily driver.

I need to lose ~100 lbs from the car to compensate for the subs/amp and various audio accessories.

[Colin]

Originally posted by Freeloader
That's why I'm really wary of going to a larger wheel. Having big wheels looks pimp, but it affects acceleration and big wheels = heavy wheels. I'm looking for strict performance and weight management, even though I have a daily driver.
Going to a 16' wheel wouldn't be too bad if you keep the same diameter ( plus size ) , but when you go much larger you have to spend $ to get the lighter rims . If you don't want to spend alot just keep the same size and get good tires . With all that stereo equipment you're not gonna set any speed records anyway ..:D

[jordanGT]

with all this talk of lighter wheels, how many of you really have enough performance to worry about it? I mean, don't buy 24s and try to slap 'em on the car, but running a 17 inch wheel on your car isn't going to bog it down or anything. and, as far as the final drive ratio issue, that's only an issue for folks who don't properly plus-size.

[Colin]

Originally posted by jordanGT
with all this talk of lighter wheels, how many of you really have enough performance to worry about it? I mean, don't buy 24s and try to slap 'em on the car, but running a 17 inch wheel on your car isn't going to bog it down or anything. and, as far as the final drive ratio issue, that's only an issue for folks who don't properly plus-size. That's why i think about it because i don't have any performance to lose ! :lol:

[Freeloader]

But there is always the cost issue. always.

[mthegodfather]

Having as little power as my GA does i need it to be as light as possible.

[Gamebay11]

Dont forget about your brakes there, having a 3.2% change might hurt them. I was told by people not to go over 3% in an overall diameter change.

[Freeloader]

Originally posted by Gamebay11
Dont forget about your brakes there, having a 3.2% change might hurt them. I was told by people not to go over 3% in an overall diameter change.

I got that problem resolved. When I originally posted this, I couldn't find (more like, didn't look for) the same size tire as I had on the car at the moment. So I went 5% larger sidewalls... but that's a non issue.

I have the 15"s with 195 width, and 60% sidewalls. I'm ordering the same thing. Only like 20 lbs lighter per wheel.

Edit: Brakes are good. New rotors/pads up front. Just need the converter kit for the rear (and 2 days to do it) and I'll be set.

[95GAinFLA]

i have 195/70/14's and i plan on getting 195/60/17's.. will that work/look good, or should i go with 195/70/17 or 195/50/17?

(not sure what the middle number is so im kinda bouncing around til someone says im good)

[Colin]

Originally posted by 95GAinFLA
i have 195/70/14's and i plan on getting 195/60/17's.. will that work/look good, or should i go with 195/70/17 or 195/50/17?
I'd go with 215/45/17 if you want 17's , you could use the older GT size 205/55/16 if you want as well. I doubt you can even get 195/70/17's and even if you could they'd be too tall .

[Freeloader]

Here's a breakdown of what the numbers mean:

for a standard tire, like 195/60R15

195 = 195 milimeters = the width of the tire
60 = 60% of those 195 milimeters = the sidewall height (117mm)
R = Radial tire
15 = 15 inches = the diameter of the wheel

[Colin]

Originally posted by Freeloader
60 = 60% of those 195 milimeters = the sidewall height Or aspect ratio ;) Don't forget the speed ratings >
[list=a] Letter / mph / kph
R 106 170
S 112 180
T 118 190
U 124 200
H 130 210
V(VR) 149 240
W(ZR) 168 270
Y(ZR) 186 300


[/list=a]

[95GAinFLA]

my tires are only rated to 106?!?!


i topped out at 115 on them earlier this week. looks like i wont be doing that again...until i get a higher rated tire atleast:)

[ZACH]

Originally posted by Freeloader
Here's a breakdown of what the numbers mean:

for a standard tire, like 195/60R15

195 = 195 milimeters = the width of the tire
60 = 60% of those 195 milimeters = the sidewall height (117mm)
R = Radial tire
15 = 15 inches = the diameter of the wheel

I thought R = rim size
then the number that followed showed rim size like you said 15 = 15 inch rim diameter

[Colin]

Originally posted by ZACH
I thought R = rim size
then the number that followed showed rim size like you said 15 = 15 inch rim diameter The R in the size means radial .