Best choice sizing for ride/performance compromise 14"

[Guest jjohart]

I'm going to pick tires for a 14" set of wheels I got for summer tires. I can't decide whether to go with 195 45, 195 55, 205 60, or 215 70.

The dealers kinda talk me off of the larger sidewall ones (the last two), saying there's speedo error, but the guy who sold me the wheels insists I'll get a ride close to the 205 60 15's I had originally. Who's the boss in this argument, providing a slightly better comfort level, whilst maximizing grip (I am looking for summer only, possibly unidirectionals, like Falken Azenis 215 Sport (cheap, not in good supply, no local sales support), Toyo T1-S Prox.(most expenso, but is it worth it?), or Yoko AE100 (heard that one wears really quickly!).

Thanks

John-83 280ZXT

[Drax240z]

OK, 195 45 and 195 55 will be quite small. I like 15" wheels on a Z for overall look, performance, tire selection and handling. I think they are the best all around choice, but I'd prefer 16's on my car.

 

Look at the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 or Ecsta MX as tire options as well. They are cheap and have very good reviews. (reasonable grip and wear too)

 

225/60R14's will be very close in overall diameter to your old 15's, but they need a fairly wide wheel. I think you are also going to have trouble finding a wide variety of 14" rubber and for that reason more than any other I would stick with 15's...

[Brad-ManQ45]

According to BFG, and my own first VB program from '91, 225/60/14 is the same diameter as the stock 205/60/15's.

 

What is the width of your wheels? If you measure rim to rim subtract 1"...

 

I personally would only go 225's on 7 or 8" rims for crisper handling reasons, but 6's will work.

[SleeperZ]

I like the 215/60/14 personally, and it's an easy to find size. It's not too far off stock diameter, and 60 series has a fair amount of stiffness for good street handling.

[johnc]

I would look for a 205/55-14 tire.

[Guest jjohart]

Well, against all the good tips, I'm sticking (heh heh) with the highest speed rated and engineered tire I could find, the Toyo Proxes T1-S, in 195 55 sizing. I figured I wanted a bit more comfort than 15's could provide, since I found my 83 ZXT's ride a bit too harsh with my Pilot Alpins this season (my wife's comment was "you really feel every bump in this!").

Must be I'm gettting to be an old fart, but I am going to give the Proxes a shot, and see if it's too mushy. I just couldn't go for the 215 sizing when it either was in "all season" watered down tread, or the 225, which is basically like a Hummer tread (SUV Z anyone?).

Thanks for the advice. I figured $75 each for a V rated ultra high performance tire, one inch smaller than Z stock, is worth a shot!

John-83 280ZXT

[johnc]

The Proxes TS-1 is not a mushy tire. It was the spec tire for SCCA's Word Challenge Touring and GT classes up until last year.

[Guest jjohart]

I was referring only to the down sizing effect of using 195 60 14 vs the stock 205 60 15...Tire Rack CSR said the smaller sizing might be mushy b/c of a narrower tread/contact patch.

Thanks

John

[zxgts-4]

Hi John,

 

Be aware that a 55 aspect tyre will probably give you an even harder ride than before, you should have gone up to 65 or 70 aspect ratio.

 

Noting that in 70 series they probably would be H speed rating.

 

Going to a 195/55/14 is the equivelant of fitting a 3.9 diff ratio in place of your 3.545 which will cause a large speedo error.

 

The car will accelerate like a rocket but run at greater rpm for the same road speed which will give you poor fuel economy.

 

Just some additional things to think about. Neil

[Guest jjohart]

There would be plenty of speedo error in using the 215 or 225 sizes as well! Moreover, you're forgetting the offsetting impact of a lighter wheel/tire combination INCREASING fuel economy via less weight=lower rolling resistance (not to mention a narrower tread contact area).

There's lots to think about in future tire sizes, but being that the choices for 14's get smaller as you go up in the first number (e.g 205+), the small difference in a 195 is probably offset by the factors above, so it is STILL a wait and see to feel the impact/ride quality....will post with results in a couple of weeks!

Thanks

John-83 I/C'd 280ZXT

[Guest 77vegasz]

I am running Cooper Cobra 215/60/14 front and 235/60/14 in the rear. The car is lowered 1" with urethane bushings. It handles great and the ride quality is good. I went with the Cobras because I was going for an old school look with raised white letters.

 

Jon