Bigger tires... sorta

Daedalus2051 · Jun 18, 2009, 08:57 PM

So I got new tires today from the shop I work at and we only had 3 of the 195/60R15s that were on the car, so I opted for the 195/65R15s we had four of instead. I figured the extra 5% aspect ratio wouldn't really matter.
Well I was driving home on rt 80 and every time I hit a bump I could hear the tire scraping against the fender well.

I do have the option to swap tires [on the next day I work] for the 195/60R15s--We found the fourth tire in that size AFTER I had already mounted and balanced them. On the other hand I have Tein Basic Damper Coilovers with the adjustable ride height. So I could also just as easily raise the ride height which should compensate for the bigger tire size.

My question to you guys is this:
Do you think I should swap the tires for the originals?

OR

Raise the ride height to compensate?

blaze_125 · Jun 19, 2009, 11:27 AM

It's really up to you and if you'll be able to get used to it.
I had a brain fart last time I got tires and got 195/65/15 instead of the proper size. Just like you. I'm dropped on Progress Springs and it rubs every time I go in reverse and turn the wheels, or when I do sharp turns and so on. I got used to it.

**Neal@tirerack.** · Jun 19, 2009, 12:02 PM

Yup, they are an inch overall too large in diameter. Prob the reason for the rubbing. I'd go back to oe size to keep speedo correct and avoid rubbing and suspension mods.

Ozrally06 · Jun 19, 2009, 12:16 PM

I say swap you will have abigger gap if you adjust it up some but it is up to you what seams esayer for you

ThunderOZ · Jun 21, 2009, 01:17 AM

I'd swap the tires...

Daedalus2051 · Jun 21, 2009, 10:00 AM

Well looks like overwhelming majority rules... Swap it is.

Sigh. Now to find the time in between other customers to do it lol.

Daedalus2051 · Jun 22, 2009, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal@tirerack.

Yup, they are an inch overall too large in diameter. Prob the reason for the rubbing. I'd go back to oe size to keep speedo correct and avoid rubbing and suspension mods.

For the record I should have gone to tire rack in the first place and installed them myself after my manager leaves for the day... company loyalty is over-rated in my situation...

Boostedlancer$ · Jun 22, 2009, 04:24 PM

yah i would swap back to the oe size

Daedalus2051 · Jun 22, 2009, 07:37 PM

Well I got them switched today and got my car aligned. Much nicer ride overall. Funny thing actually I think having the bigger tires "widened" things out... lol... My tires used to rub (even when they were stock size) after I put my coilovers on. Now they don't rub at all. Not over bumps, not on hard turns... not at all anymore hahaha.

Everything worked out for the best. Thanks all for the advice!

Brassoperator · Jun 23, 2009, 11:19 AM

Hey. I was reading a post on ofsetting wheels and putting in spacers. I took the advice and got the 5mm spacers. (6 of them) But I was wondering...

Can you really put 2 5mm spacers on the back?

I'm putting 18" Rims on My 03 Mitsubishi Lancer OZ Rally Edition & it just seems weird putting 2 spacers on (one overlapping the other) on the back wheels. It seems like they would rub against eachother. Then again I'm a newbee. What do I know? That's why I'm in here asking. I was just hoping that someone could confirm. I would really appriceate some help.

Brassoperator · Jun 23, 2009, 11:23 AM

By the way... The car looks great. I think that some simple eye lids on the head lights would help accent the black. Maybe even some Black Tale lights. I've seen them on a few sights. Not even that expensive. Black on Black would look ****ing awsome on you whip.

blaze_125 · Jun 23, 2009, 11:31 AM

spacers for what? better cornering? Get better tires!!!!!!!
You won't get any performance out of a 18" tire on a 03 Lancer anyway. The side wall will be way to thin.

Brassoperator · Jun 23, 2009, 02:15 PM

Spacers so the inside of the Rims don't rub against the Strut housing.

*See: Lancerman's Wheel Offset Guide

I've tried asking him (Lancerman360) but he hasn't responded. You guys were talking about tires and it seems like Daedalus2051 works in a shop so I figured this would be a good place to get some good info.

Daedalus2051 · Jun 23, 2009, 08:58 PM

I'm familiar with that thread. It should tell you everything you need to know about the tech aspects of it. As far as upgrading your tire size for performance... well consider the following.

The tires are what grips the car to the road (obviously). The rims are attached to the wheel hub, which is attached to the axles which is connected to the transmission. When the trans is put in gear and the engine is connected (via flywheel and clutch disc for manual trans and torque converter/clutch packs for an automatic trans) to the trans it sends power thru the axles which turn the rims and thus the tire and propel the car forward.

The wider your tire is (ie. 195, 205, 215, [the first number of the tire size]) the more grip you'll have on the road. The higher the aspect ratio (40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 etc [the second number of the tire size]) or sidewall is the stiffer the tire will be under load.

The size of your tire (and or rim), from what I understand, don't have nearly as much affect on the performance except for what different sizes you can find in a tire.

This is all I have pieced together from what I remember from my education at Lincoln Tech and what little I know already. I could be wrong and please correct me if I am. Hope I helped someone out.

(Oh and for the record I work at an independent corporate owned shop, I won't mention the name of the corporation however for I don't know if that would violate the advertising rules on this forum.)

blaze_125 · Jun 24, 2009, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daedalus2051

The wider your tire is (ie. 195, 205, 215, [the first number of the tire size]) the more grip you'll have on the road. The higher the aspect ratio (40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 etc [the second number of the tire size]) or sidewall is the stiffer the tire will be under load.

The size of your tire (and or rim), from what I understand, don't have nearly as much affect on the performance except for what different sizes you can find in a tire.

The size and ratios have everything to do with performance.
If the side wall is too stiff you'll have crappy launch and slippery cornering. Excessive tire flex is your enemy, too little tire flex is just as bad.

Too much tire flex with get you mad launch, but it will make your car unstable in high speed cornerning.

Too little tire flex with get you crap launch, very stable cornering but you'll slide your way through the corner.

Having just the right amount of flex with get you decent launch, will be stable in high speed corners, and you won't slide throughout the corner cause your tire will actually be able to flex a little and get some grip.

18" tires on a 03 Lancer calls for what? A 30 or 35 sideall? 30/35 over 205 will be way too low, and way too stiff for that car to stay planted on the road when he goes through a corner at high speed.

If you're building a show car, by all means, do what the f you want.
If you're trying to get performance out of her, stay AWAY from 18" on an 03.

Quote:

The wider your tire is (ie. 195, 205, 215, [the first number of the tire size]) the more grip you'll have on the road

That'd be the contact patch. The contact patch can't do everything on its own.