Need Advice 205's or 215's????

[Boostin18]

Ok well here is the deal I have a 1990 GSX and I am going to be purchasing new rims and tires since the GSX has the NASTY "Fan Rims" on it right now. I am going to be getting 17x7 rims and I am just stuck on what tire size and tire to get. Now I want a tire that is great year round and good for the track (maybe once or twice a year). I don't want a tire that is supper sticky since that only brings bad news when at the track with AWD. All advice is welcome. I live in a suburb of chicago so we get some nasty weather year round. I don't know weather to get 205/40/17 or 215/40/17 size tires. I don't want something to wide, but something wide enough. I am thinking since i get a great price on these new tires which are made by Bridgestone called Fuzion, they are almost exactly like the Potenza RE730's Gen. II. Do you guys think that these tires will be good for year round (which might turn into only summer depending on money) and also would these be okay for the launches at the track. I have heard stories about AWD+sticky Tires=blown tranny and i don't want that. Right now my car has KYB AGX struts all around with Ebach Pro kit for suspension. Thanx in advance for the advice!

 

[HokieDSM]

Well, first of all, you've got the wrong diameter.

To match up with the stock tire diameter, in a 17" rim, you'd want 215/45/17 or 225/45/17 to match the 205/55/16 stock rim. Since you're getting 17x7", 215/45/17 would be your best bet. (225s are doable, but its better to have a wider rim for them)

You've got the same springs/shocks as I do - so you shouldn't have any issues running those tires - I'd say give the Fuzions a try, I've been curious to see how they do, but they look good on paper. I personally prefer a dedicated set of winter tires, which I run on my stock rims - after finding out the hard way that all-season tires don't really do much in the snow. But there are a lot of good all-season options out there - I hear BFG KDWSs aren't bad...

 

[Boostin18]

Well the advice i had gotten from a buddy of mine is run 205/40/17, that is what he ran on his 91 GSX. His reasoning seems logical, he said if you have too wide of a tire and launch with AWD you will be more lickley to break something, samethis he metioned when advising against an ACT2600 clutch. Why 205/45/17 and not 205/40/17. Now as money is getting tighter and so i might have to stick with the nasty stockers, so what do i run there? If anyone has anything to contribute i am all ears, Thanx!

 

[UCSLugRacerX]

First of all, having MORE traction, and having a stronger clutch is NOT a bad thing. If at all, it will amplify the weaker components in your car, which must be replaced if you want to continue launching it.

For a complete opposite set-up to race at the tracks: If I used a cheap, non-grabby soft clutch, and 165/70/13R Walmart discount (4 for $100) special tires, with shit-for-traction, I would run horrible 1/4 mile times. (Thus, this makes no sense at all.)


As for tire sizes, get 215/45/17, and figure out how much you want to spend on the tires.

 

[Boostin18]

Just put 4 new Fuzion tires on my stock 90 Fan rims, the size is 205/45/16, will keep you posted.