Tires are coming soon...need help - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

SILVER97LE · 07-23-2002, 01:55 PM

WIDE.  I currently have some VERY low profile goodyear ZR's on the car and the ride is too rough for me.  I went with thicker sidewall tires on my old S13 and they helped the ride alot.  The problem is, I don't want the car to look too stupid.  What's your opinion on thicker sidewalls?  

Just so you know, I don't plan to race this car is autocross or drag with it.  And I definitely come to the conclusion that an SR is the only thing that will make this car as fast as I would like it to be and it is out of the question for a while.  I just want a comfortable ride in a rare sports car while looking good. Just don't want the tires to ruin the look.  Kind like a poor man's SC300 5-spd!

Yoshi · 07-23-2002, 02:57 PM

so 50's should be about right then? 40 is low enough to cause discomfort, and 60's look like you're offroading.... so there's my 2 shillings <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

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Yosho · 07-23-2002, 08:23 PM

Side wall measurement is the percentage of the width of the tire.  In other words, it's meaningless to compair sidewall "sizes" without knowing the width of the tire.  You can have a size 40 sidewall that is actually higher than a size 50 sidewall.  

If you've lowered the sidewall height percentage and not increased the width of the tread or increased the wheel size then you're speedo will be off.  

If you've lowered the sidewall height and increased the wheel size but not the tread width... then there is less air volume in your tires and the ride harshness will be correspondingly higher.

In other words, if you're going to fix your problem you'll need to size the tires properly and try to maintain as much air volume as possible.  Low air volume is probably what's causing you that rough ride.

HippoSleek · 07-24-2002, 07:45 AM

I agree that it is tough to tell you about sidewall width w/o knowing what rim size you are using.

More to the point, however, it should be stated that tires matter a LOT for overall comfort.  A high performance, Z rated tire will have a MUCH stiffer sidewall than an all season H rated tire.  As a result of the stiffer sidewall, the ride will be noticeably harsher, even given the same size tire.

This is even more true when you have a stiffer aftermarket suspension - so that the tire is left soaking up bumps for comfort while your 300# springs do nothing.

uiuc240 · 07-24-2002, 08:23 AM

to add to Hippo's post.  remember that all tires are different too.  do a little research on TireRack and you may find that they have some low-pro tires that are also very streetable/supple.  they have good reviews for that.

Eric

07-23-2002, 01:55 PM	#1
SILVER97LE Leaky Injector Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 64 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	WIDE.  I currently have some VERY low profile goodyear ZR's on the car and the ride is too rough for me.  I went with thicker sidewall tires on my old S13 and they helped the ride alot.  The problem is, I don't want the car to look too stupid.  What's your opinion on thicker sidewalls?   Just so you know, I don't plan to race this car is autocross or drag with it.  And I definitely come to the conclusion that an SR is the only thing that will make this car as fast as I would like it to be and it is out of the question for a while.  I just want a comfortable ride in a rare sports car while looking good. Just don't want the tires to ruin the look.  Kind like a poor man's SC300 5-spd! __________________ *Own a '97 Sliver Moss LE[br]>Selling a '01 Sterling Mist Maxima-5-spd with 8,500 for $21,000

07-23-2002, 02:57 PM	#2
Yoshi Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Washington Age: 48 Posts: 3,003 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Yoshi Feedback Score: 1 reviews	so 50's should be about right then? 40 is low enough to cause discomfort, and 60's look like you're offroading.... so there's my 2 shillings <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ www.360realms.com/S13-S15

07-23-2002, 08:23 PM	#3
Yosho Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Williamsburg VA Age: 48 Posts: 180 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Side wall measurement is the percentage of the width of the tire.  In other words, it's meaningless to compair sidewall "sizes" without knowing the width of the tire.  You can have a size 40 sidewall that is actually higher than a size 50 sidewall.   If you've lowered the sidewall height percentage and not increased the width of the tread or increased the wheel size then you're speedo will be off.   If you've lowered the sidewall height and increased the wheel size but not the tread width... then there is less air volume in your tires and the ride harshness will be correspondingly higher. In other words, if you're going to fix your problem you'll need to size the tires properly and try to maintain as much air volume as possible.  Low air volume is probably what's causing you that rough ride. __________________ - Yosho '93 Nissan 2000 GSR '96 200SX SE-R '00 Civic Si (For Sale)

07-24-2002, 08:23 AM	#5
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 46 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	to add to Hippo's post.  remember that all tires are different too.  do a little research on TireRack and you may find that they have some low-pro tires that are also very streetable/supple.  they have good reviews for that. Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

07-24-2002, 07:45 AM	#4
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I agree that it is tough to tell you about sidewall width w/o knowing what rim size you are using. More to the point, however, it should be stated that tires matter a LOT for overall comfort.  A high performance, Z rated tire will have a MUCH stiffer sidewall than an all season H rated tire.  As a result of the stiffer sidewall, the ride will be noticeably harsher, even given the same size tire. This is even more true when you have a stiffer aftermarket suspension - so that the tire is left soaking up bumps for comfort while your 300# springs do nothing.