We have a wheel sticky, why don't we have a tire sticky?

[Larry Hampton]

Like what size tire you've tried on what width wheel with what offset?

I'm coming down to the point I'm wanting to finally buy wheels and tires for the black GL and I don't plan on doing an Aspire/Rio swap on it. It could use new struts probably and raising it a bit with different springs isn't out of the question.

As I've said before, the speedo is off 5mph slow at 60mph so I'd like to put a taller tire on it. I'm 95% sure I want to go after market on them, new or used. I haven't found any factory wheels locally that I care for, plus i could 4x100/4x114 in the event i change my mind on suspension swaps. The only wrench that might get thrown into this is if I can convince my neighbor with the BP/auto Protege thats langishing in his front yard with the window rolled down to let me have it for $400 for a swap and swoopies. Then the speedo would read different.

so please post up your combos and what mods you've done if they rubbed. In searching for this info, i think it would make a great sticky. Only need tire size, wheel width and offset.

[Gomez]

195/45-15 on 6.5" +38 close but only rubbed on extreme dips in road.
175/55-15 on 6.5" +38 perfect fit

both are taller than stock so speedo reads slow

[Bert]

If your speedo already reads 5 low at 60 the move to taller tires is only going to increase the error. If no Aspire swap is in the offing (ie 4 x 100 bolt pattern) then you are mostly relegated to Metro 13s. I'm personally not into bankrolling lavish rims for a $100 car and have been very pleased (and frugal!) with what got accomplished through Aspire goodies, perfect-fit Rio alloys, and clearance bin Nokian tires.
First pic: 145-12s (21" dia) 2nd: OEM Aspire 165-13s 3rd: 155/65-14 (21 3/4" dia)

[Larry Hampton]

Sorry 5mph high.

The car in question is my black GL (currently up for Feb FOTM) which will soon get its black wing. Its got 110k on it? Figure its worth the wheels, bought it with 95k on it and it was a $400 car. ; p

Regardless, tire fitment still stands as valid with stocker wheels.

[Bert]

RX-7s from the 80s featured 14s and have the Festy 4 1/2" wheel pattern.

[Larry Hampton]

Bert, not looking for wheels, the wheel sticky is pretty extensive, I'm looking for different size tires on different width rims with different offsets.

personally, id like to find tires that are readily available locally as opposed to ordering online, but I know thats a tall order.

[Safety Guy]

Larry, common local stuff will probably only be 13" Metro steelies with either 155/80s or 175/70s. Both will raise your car and make the speedo about 3 to 5% slower reading. They may or may not rub in the back (on bumps).

On the plus side, they should fit perfectly on the hub and work well otherwise. With a stronger spring in the rear they shouldn't rub on bumps. The 155s may not rub at all.

If you want better fitting "odd" sizes of tires you'll have to go mail order, special order, or get really really lucky.

For those, I'd go any of the following, which should take your ride height from about 5mm taller than stock to about 15mm taller (instead of the common 13" sizes taking you to about 19mm taller):

165/65-13, 155/70-13 (about 5mm taller)
185/60-13 (~8mm taller)
165/60-14, 175/50-15 (~9mm)
155/65-14, 195/45-15 (~10mm)
165/70-13, 145/80-13, 185/55-14 (~12mm)
175/60-14, 165/65-14 (~15mm)

Metro rims with 165/65-13s or 155/70-13s should be pretty nice and work well with wheel width and speedo indication.

All measurements are mathematical and will not necessarily reflect reality.

Karl

[htchbck]

My favorite Festiva size was 185/60R13 on about 5.5/6" wheel with +38 offset. They are just hard to find these days. For now, since my festiva is a bone stock DD I'm happy enough with my 13x5s and 155/80 tires ($35/ea and I have my own tire equipment to install them myself). But for anything modified you are going to want something wider, at least a 175/70 or so, in order to get the most out of beefier motors/brakes/suspension.

[Aaronbrook37]

My favorite Festiva size was 185/60R13 on about 5.5/6" wheel with +38 offset. They are just hard to find these days. For now, since my festiva is a bone stock DD I'm happy enough with my 13x5s and 155/80 tires ($35/ea and I have my own tire equipment to install them myself). But for anything modified you are going to want something wider, at least a 175/70 or so, in order to get the most out of beefier motors/brakes/suspension.

Agreed. I love my 185/60-13's. I have them on a slightly skinnier rim, but they're absolutely fantastic.

[william]

185/60/14 little bit big but only rub with passengers and big bumps. There on escort steel wheels but there aspire pattern.
14x5.5 I think there 38+ off set but could be wrong.
My speedometer was dead on after going to this size. It was 5-6 fast before with stock 12's

[htchbck]

Agreed. I love my 185/60-13's. I have them on a slightly skinnier rim, but they're absolutely fantastic.

Aaron after re-reading that, I think I was remembering wrong. I had a set of 205/60s a long time ago on some 5.5 or 6, but I think my 185s were on the wheels I sold to Sparky, which were 13x5.

[Larry Hampton]

So far I've got:

13's
175/70-13 on 5.5" not sure on offset, rub spring perch on stock strut on bumps - Larry Hampton
185/60-13 on 5.5" or 6" +38 - htchbck & Arronbrook37

14's
155/65-14 on Rio alloys - Bert
185/60-14 on 5.5" +38? rub a bit on bumps

15's
175/55-15 on 6.5" +38 perfect fit - Gomez
195/45-15 on 6.5" +38 close but rubbed - Gomez