MyopicPaideia

Hopefully I didn't miss something in my search for this, but if I did I apologize. From my search, I found that 215-50/17 are the OEM tire size. I also have gathered that 225-45/17 is a good "up-size" tire, but is slightly smaller than stock.

My question is what about 225-50/17? I looked on tire rack for this size tire, and the selection is limited, but there are some good tires that come in this size. My logic is along the same lines of the 225 to 235 up-size in tire width that has been discussed in regards to 18" aftermarket wheels; increased tire width equaling better grip, and filling up the wheel well gap a bit more nicely.

Does this tire size match up well to the OEM wheel size of 17"x7" in terms of fitting properly and maintaining a close approximation of the OEM wheel circumferance? There is also of course the issue of sidewall flexing as well.

Any thoughts, advice, and/or real life experiences are as always greatly appreciated.

Cheers to all

Viking

Here is a link to a tire size calculator:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

MyopicPaideia

Thanks, that is a great little tool! According to that site, 225-50/17 is actually a better match than 225-45/17. I guess the only thing I am worried about at this point is fitment and sidewall flex. Anybody want to throw in their ?

Dan Martin

Are you trying to retain the stock rims and just put better rubber on? If so, I'd go with the 225/45/17 which will give you better turn in due to the stiffer sidewalls.

If you're going to upgrade rims, then pick something with a 7.5" or 8" width and go for a 235mm tire.

jprovostla

Will 235/45-17 fit on OE wheels???

Girth

This has already been discussed...

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19381

BDI

Yes.

I have 2004 TL tires on the TSX rims now with no problem.

I know a some 2nd gen TL people with the same setup and have autocrossed with no problems.

TSX Hokie

I wish more tires were available in 225/50/17. This is a closer to stock diameter than 225/45/17. The slightly larger diameter helps fill in your wheel gap, will give you a nearly insignificant boost in fuel economy due to effectively taller gears, and a slightly softer ride than stock.

Bananaairsoft

Really! Wow. That's crazy!

jprovostla

Thanx for the info BDI...
what brand & size tires are they???
any rubbing against the wheel well???
did you lower your suspension and still don't have problems with the TL tires...
has it improved the ride significantly???

I'd like to put some Michelin Pilot Sport or Bridgestone Potenzas on my TSX of the 235/45-Z17 kind...

BDI

They are the Bridgestone Turanzas. I'm dropped on the Eibach Pro-Kit and there is not rubbing whatsoever.

I was expecting the tires to stick out a little on the rim but they seem to sit fine.

Here is a pic of the tires mounted on my dirty ass car...........i'll post better pics of the tires when I get a chance.

jprovostla

Thanx for the pic, BDI...
My Firestone dealer has 4 Potenzas RE750 in size 235/45-WR17 that he wants to unload for $768 including balance & installation... I think I'm going to take it...

Your TSX looks good... is that the A-spec body kit you've got on it???
How do you like the Eibach Pro-kit??? the drop looks nice but how does it ride???
does it improve cornering [roll] and that annoying bouncing in the OE suspension...

Again thanx, Jacques

BDI

Yup it's the OEM body kit. I love the pro-kit. The cornering is definitely improved compared to stock.

As for the tires.........do eet!

jprovostla

I did it, BDI...
very happy with the new tires... the car rides so much better...
thanx again for the info...

BDI

No problem........enjoy!

G36

I just did a change out. Went from stock 215x50x17 to 235x40x18 on a 7.5 wheel. By going to the 235x40, you have no speedo error. The stock 215x50 x17 are the same height as the 235x40x18


Also what I have now noticed is, I think have created more felt Torque Steer! It pulls to the right from take off, throught normal driving.

Tell me this isn't so!!!

jprovostla

Has anyone noticed better gas mileage after installing high performance tires???
I seem to be getting much better gas mileage with my new tires...
I don't have any hard numbers but I think I'm going 50% further on a tank of gas...

Dan Martin

50%??? No way that's possible.

If anything you should be getting worse mileage if you've gone for a wider tire due to the increased rolling resistance.

vansterdam

Here's a better tire size calculator