16 inch wheels - 45 or 50 ratio?

[AZSP33D]

205/50R16 better in every single way for me, ZERO fit issues with proper HS offsets (ET42 at 16X7) and even if you get outside of that a little bit, plenty of margin even if you haven't slammed the struts into the max negative camber position. Tested two sets of 45's and two sets of 50's and also 215/45R16 (BFG) wich works great on hot days but outside of the discussion here. 50 offers improved grip, improved ride, improved appearance, and for the RE71R it's also less expensive.

Edit -- The 16X8 combo is not relevant for HS of course, I have those for the blue car with 225's and Dekagrams in case you're worried about rubbing with the stretched 205's (stretched tires are for looks mostly it's not a performance enhancement)

 

[CJ416]

I felt the same way. I just have fun now at autocross and compete with my friends. The Dekagrams are an excellent wheel. I dont like the non-hubcentric part but it was easy enough to source some aluminum hub rings for them.

I do suggest the aluminum hub rings and a set of thin walled lugs. I went with the Muteki SR48 lugs off Amazon(cheapest ive found at under $50 shipped) along with the hub rings(think they were $9). Great little package.

Where did you get yours from? Enjuku racing seems to have the best price, I'm planning on going with them

 

[HBEcoBeaST]

205/50R16 better in every single way for me, ZERO fit issues with proper HS offsets (ET42 at 16X7) and even if you get outside of that a little bit, plenty of margin even if you haven't slammed the struts into the max negative camber position. Tested two sets of 45's and two sets of 50's and also 215/45R16 (BFG) wich works great on hot days but outside of the discussion here. 50 offers improved grip, improved ride, improved appearance, and for the RE71R it's also less expensive.

Edit -- The 16X8 combo is not relevant for HS of course, I have those for the blue car with 225's and Dekagrams in case you're worried about rubbing with the stretched 205's (stretched tires are for looks mostly it's not a performance enhancement) View attachment 28134

You're the first person to agree with me that 205/50s perform better. Higher load rating makes a stiffer sidewall. The 205/45 bfg sc2s and Indy's in that size feel softer than my Indy's in 205/50. I'm on 16x8 dekas and there's barely any stretch even if you look closely. While I agree with you on ricer stretch hurting performance, a tiny bit of stretch, or a 'tight' tire will increase steering response, feedback and minimize tire roll. I plan on lowering .25-.5" and shouldn't rub.

While comfort wasn't drastically improved, traction was. And my fear of potholes is quite a bit less now.

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[CJ416]

You guys have got me all excited to get my 205/50s with the wheels now. I'll make sure to post some pictures when I get them on, oxford white with bronze wheels should look awesome!

 

[kevinatfms]

Where did you get yours from? Enjuku racing seems to have the best price, I'm planning on going with them

Yup. Got mine from Enjuku after a snafu trying to get Lock-Outs. They upgraded me for shipping cost. So I got the wheels for under $100/ea.


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[kevinatfms]

You guys have got me all excited to get my 205/50s with the wheels now. I'll make sure to post some pictures when I get them on, oxford white with bronze wheels should look awesome!

Here is a little material for you.

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[M-Sport fan]

205/50R16 better in every single way for me, ZERO fit issues with proper HS offsets (ET42 at 16X7) and even if you get outside of that a little bit, plenty of margin even if you haven't slammed the struts into the max negative camber position. Tested two sets of 45's and two sets of 50's and also 215/45R16 (BFG) wich works great on hot days but outside of the discussion here. 50 offers improved grip, improved ride, improved appearance, and for the RE71R it's also less expensive.

Edit -- The 16X8 combo is not relevant for HS of course, I have those for the blue car with 225's and Dekagrams in case you're worried about rubbing with the stretched 205's (stretched tires are for looks mostly it's not a performance enhancement) View attachment 28134

Which 225s are on those Dekas??

How much is it lowered?

 

[AZSP33D]

Which 225s are on those Dekas??

How much is it lowered?

23.3-23.4" to fender arches all around, Toyo R888R.

 

[M-Sport fan]

23.3-23.4" to fender arches all around, Toyo R888R.

Do they scream as loudly as RS-RRs on the highway, or at any speeds above 30 MPH??

This would be my other tire choice to put on a summer set of black Dekas, even though a 100 tread wear gumball track tire is way beyond excessive overkill for my uses.

 

[AZSP33D]

Do they scream as loudly as RS-RRs on the highway, or at any speeds above 30 MPH??
.

People do say they are noisy tires. I notice the noise when they try to grip and slide or spin, but otherwise the exhaust system overcomes any noise they may make.

 

[HBEcoBeaST]

Do they scream as loudly as RS-RRs on the highway, or at any speeds above 30 MPH??

This would be my other tire choice to put on a summer set of black Dekas, even though a 100 tread wear gumball track tire is way beyond excessive overkill for my uses.

R888R aren't as loud as rsr-rr closer to if slightly quieter than rsr-r. they're still close in volume levels though. Federals get even louder as they wear, not sure about the toyos.

Surprisingly I've found the falken 615k+ to seem quieter (not quiet) than the above options at least when new.



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[M-Sport fan]

IF the 615K+es (or it's replacement coming down the pike), did not have such narrow TREAD widths, across their size range, they would be my 'go-to' tire for summer use, since they are THE most reasonably priced of all of the 200 tread wear stickies out there, save for some of the Federals.

 

[HBEcoBeaST]

IF the 615K+es (or it's replacement coming down the pike), did not have such narrow TREAD widths, across their size range, they would be my 'go-to' tire for summer use, since they are THE most reasonably priced of all of the 200 tread wear stickies out there, save for some of the Federals.

A local's ride was running dekagrams and 215/45 falkens. Very decent set up. Better feel and livability than rsrs and especially rsrrs. Stiffer sidewall than either federal. .

One of the few options we have in 215/45r16. I'd have gone this route if I didn't put so many miles on. He got 17000 out of his and drives less 'spirited' than I do.

Deals can be found where they're close to $100ea

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[Crystals]

205/50R16 better in every single way for me, ZERO fit issues with proper HS offsets (ET42 at 16X7) and even if you get outside of that a little bit, plenty of margin even if you haven't slammed the struts into the max negative camber position. Tested two sets of 45's and two sets of 50's and also 215/45R16 (BFG) wich works great on hot days but outside of the discussion here. 50 offers improved grip, improved ride, improved appearance, and for the RE71R it's also less expensive.

Edit -- The 16X8 combo is not relevant for HS of course, I have those for the blue car with 225's and Dekagrams in case you're worried about rubbing with the stretched 205's (stretched tires are for looks mostly it's not a performance enhancement) View attachment 28134

I have been playing with the idea of getting 50s for a while now, but you’ve convinced me to seriously consider it.

Tire rub was my sole worry. I occasionally drive a ton for work, sometimes 150-200 miles in a day. I’m good with the current setup on long trips, but if I can improve the ride a little without the performance suffering much, I would.

I love my wheels and tires, and a quick glance at Tire Rack shows my current wheels (OZ Ultraleggeras) are available in 16x7 with 42mm offset, except in black instead of silver (which fits other plans I have for the car), and my current tires (Firestone Firehawk Indy500s) available in 205/50/R16, so it looks like I’m running out of excuses haha

 

[AZSP33D]

I have been playing with the idea of getting 50s for a while now, but you’ve convinced me to seriously consider it.

Tire rub was my sole worry. I occasionally drive a ton for work, sometimes 150-200 miles in a day. I’m good with the current setup on long trips, but if I can improve the ride a little without the performance suffering much, I would.

I love my wheels and tires, and a quick glance at Tire Rack shows my current wheels (OZ Ultraleggeras) are available in 16x7 with 42mm offset, except in black instead of silver (which fits other plans I have for the car), and my current tires (Firestone Firehawk Indy500s) available in 205/50/R16, so it looks like I’m running out of excuses haha

Each brand of tire is a little different of course, but with 16X7 and ET42 and probably every 205/50R16 ever made there's no rub issues unless you have some soft low stance type of springs. Very noticeable positive benefit from stock of course... On the 16's, that extra 0.40 inch sidewall brings it to almost like an ideal sweet spot it seems to me, and the slightly larger diameter has other slight benefits versus slight drawbacks to consider. For driving on the streets, absolutely 205/50R16 is the way to go in comparison to the 45 variant and especially compared to 205/40/17, that's mostly a styling preference.

 

[jtsimaras]

Makes me wonder why the stock wheels are 17" ? My old 2001 S2000 came with 16" wheels and they were great!

 

[ywgbandit]

205/50R16 better in every single way for me, ZERO fit issues with proper HS offsets (ET42 at 16X7) and even if you get outside of that a little bit, plenty of margin even if you haven't slammed the struts into the max negative camber position. Tested two sets of 45's and two sets of 50's and also 215/45R16 (BFG) wich works great on hot days but outside of the discussion here. 50 offers improved grip, improved ride, improved appearance, and for the RE71R it's also less expensive.

Edit -- The 16X8 combo is not relevant for HS of course, I have those for the blue car with 225's and Dekagrams in case you're worried about rubbing with the stretched 205's (stretched tires are for looks mostly it's not a performance enhancement) View attachment 28134

I'm late to the party here, but I'm curious. I bought my FiST used last fall and the previous owned put on 16" rims and 195/50R16 Kumo summer tires. Because of where I live and the sudden weather changes in the mountains I have to have an all season tire. I'm looking at going to BFG G-Force Comp-2 A/S , but they aren't available in a 195...only a 205. On a completely stock suspension do you think I will have any clearance or other issues with a 205/50R 16 tire??

 

[AZSP33D]

I'm late to the party here, but I'm curious. I bought my FiST used last fall and the previous owned put on 16" rims and 195/50R16 Kumo summer tires. Because of where I live and the sudden weather changes in the mountains I have to have an all season tire. I'm looking at going to BFG G-Force Comp-2 A/S , but they aren't available in a 195...only a 205. On a completely stock suspension do you think I will have any clearance or other issues with a 205/50R 16 tire??

No issues whatsoever on a 7" wheel, not even close, plenty of room unless you have some weird offset, but about 32-48 ET is fine. I've had bigger tires on stock suspension, those 205/50R16 tires are a little taller but very mild actually... I have 225's on both cars (225/45R16 wich is the same diameter as 205/50R16 and some 15's) and they have to be dialed in slightly to ensure no interference.

 

[ywgbandit]

Thanks for that...I appreciate that information. What's the consensus on the BFG G-Force Comp-2 A/S for an all season tire? Has anyone run those tires? I don't drive my car in the winter so I don't care about ice traction, but we do occasionally get snow and heavy rain in August and September. Hard to pick tires when you never know what the weather is going to be like!!

 

[foodtruck]

FWIW, I'm currently on stock suspension with 205/50R16; have been driving an autocrossing with them last summer with zero issues.

I heard good things about Comp-2 A/S. Even non-A/S summer version got great reviews in the rain. If I was to pick an all-season tire, it would likely be between those and Michelin A/S3.