tire sizes - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

orange-grey · 02-27-2003, 09:19 PM

Even if it does fit, that doesn't mean you should try. When you mount a wider tire on a skinnier wheel it causes the sidewalls to fold inward towards the bead. When you throw the car into a corner, the tire has to actually move laterally on the wheel before the outer sidewall begins to stretch and transfer the "grip" from the contact patch to the wheel and then the suspension. This makes the car feel unresponsive and sloppy. If you run a skinny tire like a 195 (i.e. "drift style") the sidewalls are effectively pre-streched so response is insanely immediate, but grip is ultimately compromised with the skinnier tire. A good compromise would be a 215/45, which would give a good balance of grip and response. And if you're worried about drag racing, I would think more about getting a soft tire compound since you're effectively only running on the inner half of the tire anyway.

02-27-2003, 09:19 PM	#3
orange-grey Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 94 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Even if it does fit, that doesn't mean you should try. When you mount a wider tire on a skinnier wheel it causes the sidewalls to fold inward towards the bead. When you throw the car into a corner, the tire has to actually move laterally on the wheel before the outer sidewall begins to stretch and transfer the "grip" from the contact patch to the wheel and then the suspension. This makes the car feel unresponsive and sloppy. If you run a skinny tire like a 195 (i.e. "drift style") the sidewalls are effectively pre-streched so response is insanely immediate, but grip is ultimately compromised with the skinnier tire. A good compromise would be a 215/45, which would give a good balance of grip and response. And if you're worried about drag racing, I would think more about getting a soft tire compound since you're effectively only running on the inner half of the tire anyway.