Widest tire efficient for an 8inch width rim.

[jonathan12uiz]

K guys I'm about to get some new tire.

Looking @ the Hankook Ventus RS-3s 225/50/16

My stock rims are 16x8+30 all around and come stock with 225/55/16s.

I know that cutting down sidewall length also cuts down on rollover, so I was thinking maybe going down to a 45 series sidewall...

Maybe a 245/45/16...

According to the tire calculator here: miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

The sidewalls on the 225/50/16 will be almost identical to the 245/45/16...

What I'm worried about is too much tire meat off the width of the rim.

Will a 245 series tires be too excessive for an 8inch rim? should I stick with the 225 series?

[DAN]

Well on fully developed cars the fast guys usually will use the widest tire they can stuff on a rim and not rub on the body or suspension of there cars. In my opinion though every few pennies counts so the thinner tires are surely the cheaper. On our surface " grippiest concrete in the south" the compound will count for far more than width. In other words wide tires cord just as fast. Your tire options would at best be only a couple tenths of a second difference from each other. SO i say save the couple of bucks on a set and get the 225's. Again that's my non professional opinion. My tires go fast as I have three drivers an event on mine. I corded NT 01's in 45 days only running two events with all three drivers.

[jonathan12uiz]

Apr 18, 2011 9:17:34 GMT -6 DAN said:

Well on fully developed cars the fast guys usually will use the widest tire they can stuff on a rim and not rub on the body or suspension of there cars. In my opinion though every few pennies counts so the thinner tires are surely the cheaper. On our surface " grippiest concrete in the south" the compound will count for far more than width. In other words wide tires cord just as fast. Your tire options would at best be only a couple tenths of a second difference from each other. SO i say save the couple of bucks on a set and get the 225's. Again that's my non professional opinion. My tires go fast as I have three drivers an event on mine. I corded NT 01's in 45 days only running two events with all three drivers.

Thanks dan, I'm going to go with the 225/50/16s... one for the price like you mentioned, and 2... they don't make RS-3's in 245/45/16. LOL! just R compound race tires in that size. LOL!

[jessew]

a 245 is fine for an 8 inch wide wheel. its within most manu's recommendations. compound is more important than width. but for the fastest times get the widest tire that fits in the best compound available as your wallet warrents.

you might want to consider a set of wider 17 inch wheels as tire selection is better and the tires arent that much more, and keep the 16's for the street to keep the miles off the sticky tires. thats what i'm doing with my ASA and Konig wheels.

also, discounttiresdirect.com has free shipping and is cheaper than tirerack to the door... and if anyone charges more than $15 a wheel ($60) to mount and balance they are ripping you off. murry's in chipley is $14 and i think wally world is $12

[bronxbomber252]

Ok, let me chine in a litte. On fully developed cars RUNNING R-COMPS they stuff the widest tire they can on. However, with street tires it is different due to the reduced stiffness... Usually with street tires you do not want to go much if any wider than the rim. I definately would say 245 MAX for a 8in rim but honestly a 235 may perform better. Also a 245/45 has an identical side wall (nearly anyway) to a 225/50 as you have already pointed out. Further, as you also ponted out 245 or 235 is almost impossible to find in a decent street tire for a 16in rim. I think you made the best choice.

I will also say that IMHO the Hankook RS3 is the best street tire for the combo of lot grip and temperatures we see here. all in all, GREAT choice.

[jonathan12uiz]

Apr 18, 2011 19:28:55 GMT -6 bronxbomber252 said:

Ok, let me chine in a litte. On fully developed cars RUNNING R-COMPS they stuff the widest tire they can on. However, with street tires it is different due to the reduced stiffness... Usually with street tires you do not want to go much if any wider than the rim. I definately would say 245 MAX for a 8in rim but honestly a 235 may perform better. Also a 245/45 has an identical side wall (nearly anyway) to a 225/50 as you have already pointed out. Further, as you also ponted out 245 or 235 is almost impossible to find in a decent street tire for a 16in rim. I think you made the best choice.

I will also say that IMHO the Hankook RS3 is the best street tire for the combo of lot grip and temperatures we see here. all in all, GREAT choice.

Thanks guys!