225/50/R16 on 16" x 7" or wider

[AjWit]

Yes, i searched! I read about 10 threads that were close to this. But none answered this.

I bought a 90 GST, remember that its FRONT wheel drive for this thread please.
It came with these dinky 15" wheels and 195/60 or 65 tires. To say the least, the car is now set-up to run about 260whp. I didnt think that those 195's would hold my car to the road, so i bought a set of 16 x 7 alloys. I know stock size is 205/55/16 for our cars, due to a 6" wide rim.

Since i have the extra inch of width, should i stick with stock outside diameter and sidewall by going with a 225/50/16 since it is the same diameter and sidewall as stock? Only difference is the 20mm width.

Or, since i know ill have troubly with straight ahead traction, go with 245/45/16, because it is also really close to stock size. I know the rim will fit it, but how much am i compromising?

SW is sidewall heigth and D is overall diameter

stock dsm size 205/55/16 = SW 4.4 D 24.9
close to stock 225/50/16 = SW 4.4 D 24.9
way wider size 245/45/16 = SW 4.3 D 24.7

Interesting numbers i think.

 

[dsmpat95]

Use the 225/50/16, They will work with your rim.

 

[AjWit]

Thats what im leaning towards as well. Will it give me less cornering ability than say the 245/45 though? I know tire selection plays alot into that as well, but generally speaking, will it not handle as well as the wider/lower tire?

 

[KGB Pilot125]

245/50R16 might also be a nice choice. a little taller than stock would help run out the gears a bit and possibly help with some MPG's

 

[Diamondrev]

245/50R16 might not fit. I have a 2g and I have 245/50R16 and they didnt fit when I went to put them on. I had to buy 10mm spacers to get them to fit. So i just bought some 225/50R16 for my car because I dont like the idea of having spacers and less studs for the lugnut.

 

[AjWit]

Seems like 225/50 is still the #1 choice. Unless i hear otherwise, i guess we have a winner!

UPDATE: I just looked over and cleaned up these wheels to discover more info. They have an offset of 38. On the phone, the guy said the tires were bald and needed replaced. Only one was bald, other three have at least 5/32's to pass inspection here. Nice! I got a set of 16 x 7's and 3 good Hankook Ventus 215/50 tires for 100 bucks. bah da duh da da, im lovin it!

 

[teklein]

Seems like 225/50 is still the #1 choice. Unless i hear otherwise, i guess we have a winner!

UPDATE: I just looked over and cleaned up these wheels to discover more info. They have an offset of 38. On the phone, the guy said the tires were bald and needed replaced. Only one was bald, other three have at least 5/32's to pass inspection here. Nice! I got a set of 16 x 7's and 3 good Hankook Ventus 215/50 tires for 100 bucks. bah da duh da da, im lovin it!

Nice! I have Rota Slipstreams 16x7.5 +38mm offset and I run 225/50/R16's with no issues.

They are on a 2g now, but the guy had them on a 1G with no problems!

 

[AjWit]

Thanks for confirming that. I wanted to run 225/50's but now im at a crossroad, i have 3 good 215's already mounted...
Anyone know where i can find one good 215/50-16 Ventus HR2, i cant find them anywhere online.

EDIT: Nevermind i found them, cheap too!
tires-easy.com has them for $68!