Tire upgrade for stock wheels - Honda Prelude Forum

92sleeper · 02-21-2002, 12:15 PM

Right now I have Yoko Avid v4's with like 40% tread left so by this summer I need new tires but I think I'll keep my stock wheels unless get a huge tax return which isn't likely. Anyway what other tires are better and should i stick with stock size or go with 225/50/15. This is my daily driver and i'll be doing some autocrossing for the first time.

Mark94 · 02-21-2002, 12:28 PM

Since you are going to autocross with these as well, I would assume that you are looking for something that has good traction. I would go with Toyo Proxes. They are know to have good grip and have a great reputation.

I would go with a smaller sidewall as well in order to increase your steering response. 50 series tires is as small as I would go on a stock 15 inch rim. Any smaller and it might look like a go-kart rim/tire combination.

Mark

92sleeper · 02-21-2002, 12:31 PM

I want to keep my fenderwell gap the same as well as the gear ratio so if i go to a 50 profile i'll need to go to a 225 width

Mark94 · 02-21-2002, 12:37 PM

That combination should work well then. The tire width will be slightly larger giving you more overall area in the contact patch.

Mark

92sleeper · 02-21-2002, 12:41 PM

Thanks mark, I think I will go with a 225/50/15 then. Plus It will look a little more aggressive.

Mark94 · 02-21-2002, 01:01 PM

I just tried to do a little research for you on Toyo's website and it may be hard for you to find that size tire. Toyo doesn't offer any of the Proxes in the configuration you're looking for.

Toyo is a very reputable brand and if they don't offer it, you may not be able to find it.

I was looking for 225/50/15 tire that would fit on a 6.5 inch wide rim (I'm pretty sure that is the width of our stock rims).

You might be able to find it somewhere but I have a feeling it is going to be difficult.

Mark

92sleeper · 02-21-2002, 01:07 PM

Hey mark, just looked on tirerack.com and they don't have the toyo proxes in that size. I know the choices will be limited. I did notice a Summitomo for 54bucks apeice with an H speed rating. Are they any good? Also they have the Yokohama Avis Intermediates for 77 apeice. I heard the avis are pretty good but don't last long. I guess I check treaddepot.com too. Any other sites worth looking on?

Mark94 · 02-21-2002, 01:13 PM

Not too sure where else I can direct you because I purchased all my rims and tires through local shops.

I had Summitomo Z rated tires on my previous rims and I loved them. I think I had about 10,000 miles on them and they still had A LOT of tread left. They greatly improved the handling of the car and NEVER heard them screech around a corner.

I think they are a good bang for the buck.

Right now I have Flaken Z rated tires on my 18's and they seem to be a good tire as well. You may want to look into these as well. I'm very happy with the Falken's.

Mark

92sleeper · 02-21-2002, 02:02 PM

Just checked treaddepot.com and they have the toyo proxes. Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna order them as soon as I get my taxes back. They are 92bucks each. Not bad for a good tire in that size. I also noticed that the proxes are lighter wieght than other tires of the same size. Thats another plus. They also have a much better treadwear rating than the yoko avis tires.

Mark94 · 02-21-2002, 02:12 PM

I'm glad you found a set. What model Proxes did you find because I checked all the performance oriented Proxes and couldn't find anything on their website in the size you wanted?

Mark

pter · 02-21-2002, 02:31 PM

I would check autox forums and see what tires they recommend.

Tola · 02-21-2002, 02:49 PM

If you don't mind spending a little extra money, I would go with Dunlop SP9000. I had a set on my old rims, I love them soo much. They are the quietest tires I've ever ridden on and the grip is amazing. The thread wear is awsome too. It's very good for a daily driver. I also think that the thread pattern looks sweet. I'm riding on Yoko V4's right now as well, they're alright, nothing compared to the SP9000 though. I think they're around 140 or so a piece.

92sleeper · 02-22-2002, 06:11 AM

The proxes they have at treaddepot are the fz4 $92 and the ts1 $120

pter · 02-22-2002, 06:59 AM

I heard the FZ4's get really slippery when wet.
I'd still visit autox forums and do a SEARCH to see what they recommend. I believe Falken's were in sometime last year. Kumho's before that. And RE71's or something.

I've had the SP8000's, and currently they're the best tire I've tried (stock Michelins, Yok AV Intermediates, SP8000, Kumho 712). The Yok and SP8000 I had in 225/50/15. The other two were stock sized. Of course all this is rehashed info because I've posted it twice before.

92sleeper · 02-22-2002, 09:22 AM

So once and for all does the 225/50 size really give a performance advantage as far as lateral grip steering response and such. Well I guess maybe youwould have to compare the same tire in two different sizes to know for sure but what is the general concensus. Is wider better?

NirVTEC · 02-22-2002, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pter
I heard the FZ4's get really slippery when wet.
I'd still visit autox forums and do a SEARCH to see what they recommend. I believe Falken's were in sometime last year. Kumho's before that. And RE71's or something.

I've had the SP8000's, and currently they're the best tire I've tried (stock Michelins, Yok AV Intermediates, SP8000, Kumho 712). The Yok and SP8000 I had in 225/50/15. The other two were stock sized. Of course all this is rehashed info because I've posted it twice before.

I have the 5000's(Dun) and went with 215/50/15 and they are the same diameter of a 205/55...I live them, very sticky, nice tread pattern, and they look real nice for tires on stock wheels...

pter · 02-22-2002, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 92sleeper
So once and for all does the 225/50 size really give a performance advantage as far as lateral grip steering response and such. Well I guess maybe youwould have to compare the same tire in two different sizes to know for sure but what is the general concensus. Is wider better?

It would take more equipment to test that than what I have. Maybe a pyrometer would do well, that way you could see what portions of the tire was heating up due to use. Otherwise, how would you test it?

I think wider is better, but only if your rim width is wide enough. Otherwise, having a wide tire might take away from your traction if the center of the tread folds in and doesn't add to your contact patch. In addition, more tire=more weight.

92sleeper · 02-22-2002, 09:33 PM

Hey, I just though of something else. If I just buy a set of tires I'm oing to pay over $400 by the time I pay for shipping and mounting. For anther 2-300bucks I could get a 16" wheel with a 215/45 or something similar. Sound like a good idea from a performance standpoint?

VeeTec · 02-23-2002, 09:18 PM

I ran the Toyo FZ4 225 50 15's on my stock rims. I would recommend the T1's though, if you have the extra money.

No problems other than a little more road noise. They have about the same ride height as the stock tires, just wider.

Dr. James · 02-24-2002, 11:22 PM

I had the Fz4's before, and they were the worst tire I ever used. They had horrible wet handling especially after you get some miles on them. They were quiet at first, but after about 5K miles, they sounded like a set of truck tires. They wore relatively nice, but overall I give them a Big Thumbsdown. For the money, the t1's are very nice. Also the Dunlop 5000's are nice in a 215/50/15. Kumhos are alright in the stock size, but my last set wore out rather quick, and had a weird wear pattern on them.