225 won't fit on the rear. It *might* if you run a spacer, but probably not.

I've seen some local type-r drivers run wider tires up front and they were pretty competitive.

I'd recommend running 205 width all the way around at first, and then consider moving to a wider tire up front later. I see a potential problem with running two different types of tire. Wait until you get some good feedback on the ecstas before going with them.

 

225 won't fit on the rear. It *might* if you run a spacer, but probably not.

What about the tires' fit on the wheel? Is a 205 tire too wide on a 5.5'' wheel?

.... Wait until you get some good feedback on the ecstas before going with them.

At a car set up class, the Kumho rep spoke to us about the differences between Victoracers and Ecstas. The Ecstas have a "squarer" construction which puts about 5% more rubber on the ground (same size tires), they are considerable lighter (as much as 2.5lbs in 17in sizes). He said that they are currently the same rubber compound, but in tests, due to the lighter weight of the Ecstas, they were not heating as much as the Victoracers. This meant that they could get away with using a softer compound. On "paper" the Ecstas sound like a winner. But the feedback has been a little mixed, so I might like suggested wait a little.

 

Serge928,

I'm currently running the 195/55/14 Ecsta V700 on some 14x6(shh, don't tell) wheels w/ +45 offset. I get a slight rub inside the front fender wells when in full lock, but they're not even close to touching the struts. I'm running the same suspension setup as you. I'm happy with the grip level so far. They're comparable to the BFG's that I ran last year. However, I made the mistake of buying the Kumho's unshaved. They tend to chunk a little bit, so I'd recommend shaving to 4/32. Only expect to get about 5 heat cylces of good stick out of them. After that, they are still way better than street tires, but not as good as new. By the way, where did you get your CE28Ns? Those are the exact wheels I've been trying to get, but everyone is telling me its 2-3 months for delivery. I'm getting a second set of stock wheels to guarantee that I'm LEGAL for nationals, but it would be nice to have the weight savings. Thanks.

-Chris

 

205's will fit with stock wheels. Serge the BFG's I sold you were 205/50/14 so the Ecsta's should fit. I like the 225 idea just be tough to get it on the wheel, but it's been done.

Art

What about the tires' fit on the wheel? Is a 205 tire too wide on a 5.5'' wheel?



At a car set up class, the Kumho rep spoke to us about the differences between Victoracers and Ecstas. The Ecstas have a "squarer" construction which puts about 5% more rubber on the ground (same size tires), they are considerable lighter (as much as 2.5lbs in 17in sizes). He said that they are currently the same rubber compound, but in tests, due to the lighter weight of the Ecstas, they were not heating as much as the Victoracers. This meant that they could get away with using a softer compound. On "paper" the Ecstas sound like a winner. But the feedback has been a little mixed, so I might like suggested wait a little.

 

Serge928,

By the way, where did you get your CE28Ns? Those are the exact wheels I've been trying to get, but everyone is telling me its 2-3 months for delivery. I'm getting a second set of stock wheels to guarantee that I'm LEGAL for nationals, but it would be nice to have the weight savings. Thanks.

-Chris

First, thanx for the input on Shaving the tires. Also, I got rub on the rear shock when I ran 205s. As far as the Volks I had to wait over 3 months to get them and I finally got them last week. They sure are light . I got them from a place in Northridge, CA called Upgrade Motoring ... I believe their phone # is 818-998-6005.

Serge

 

205's will fit with stock wheels. Serge the BFG's I sold you were 205/50/14 so the Ecsta's should fit. I like the 225 idea just be tough to get it on the wheel, but it's been done.

Art

Hey Art,

I wrote 205 in error. I meant 225s. A 225 on a 5.5" wheel? If it even fits is it too wide for the wheel? What are the "side effects" of running a tire too wide for the wheel?

Has anyone on the board fit a 225/50/14 on a 5.5" wheel? What about to a stock height B13?

TIA
Serge

 

Without a person doing a controlled back to back test it is tough to say that a 225 up front will be faster than a 205 up front. What I can tell you is that Mark Chiles ran a 225/50-14 (Hoosier, I believe) up front last year. It is a safe bet to say that if he ran that size up front then it is the size to run. In '96 I ran a '93 SE-R in DS and ran 225 BFG's in front and 205's in the rear. I ran them w/ stock wheels and had spacer plates and if they did rub, I can't remember if they did, it was not bad enough to do any damage to car or tire.
Yes, they will fit the rim. Last years ES National Champion, Rob Carpenter, ran 225's on his '85 CRX Si. That car has 13x5" rim's.
My vote is for 225's front/ 205 or 195's in the rear.
More facts: In 2000 the ES National Champ, Jeff Cashmore ( Celica ST) ran R1's up front in 225/50 14 and Toyo's in 195's for alot of the year. I ran against him that year in Topeka, but don't know if he was mixing tire brands at that particular event. If you are on a tight budget and already have some tires laying around why not give mixing and matching a shot to see how they feel? If they feel horrible it will only cost you mounting charges. See ya, Todd

 

If the 225s will fit on the 5.5" wheel, run those on the front, and either a 205-50-14 or 195-50-14 on the rear. I had a problem with 225-50-15s rubbing on my '96 with stock wheels. They burned the side plastic liners on hard turns.

 

At the autocross in Lexington, KY this past weekend, I met a B14 owner who was running 225-width V700s on the rear, mounted on Kosei K-1 rims. 15" diameter, but not sure of the width.

The backspacing was the key, and he wasn't volunteering up any info on that, unfortunately.

So, at least on B14s, a 225 can fit on the rear. I doubt that width (regardless of what rim you've got it on, Serge,) would fit on the rear of a Classic, IMHO.

Then again, I could be wrong.

 

Anyone find the new (softer) compound Ecsta V700s in 14 inches?