Largest tire size on a festiva

[Fecomatter]

After having a conversation with Gomez, and reading this nice pdf about traction, I was wondering what the largest size tire someone has made fit on their festiva?

(My 10 minute knowledge after reading the page):
Basically "tall" tires (higher circumference) have a longer point of contact with the road in the direction that one is traveling. i.e. more traction. That is compared to a wider tire with the same surface area of contact. Wider tires are going to cause more stress on most of your suspension components, as well as not having as much directional grip as the taller tires. But that doesn't mean having additional width to you tires is "bad". If you have X amount of surface area, you want it oriented in which the aspect would be more a 9:16(tall) vs a 16:9(wide). (bad metaphor, I'm tired.aspect ratios i mentioned are arbitrary.)

So, what is the Largest tire someone has put on their festiva? preferably in actual size AND circumference.
(http://tire-size-conversion.com/tire-size-calculator/) <-- for circumference

If you're interested in the article, link is below:

http://www.overlandexperts.com/docs/articles/offroad_tire_taller_or_wider.pdf

all input is nice.

[drddan]

There were a couple that had 17's on a festy. Crazy, but can be done!

You would need LOW profile tires like 195/40/17. I picked 195 for you will have trouble finding anything thinner than a 6 inch wide rim and 185/195 tire width.

Probably have to use some spacers in the rear, and roll the fenders

[TominMO]

Tallest tires I've had on mine are 165/80x15, 25.4" diameter. They are too tall; you have to do a little bashing on the body to get them to make full turns, plus fender liner and fender lip clearance issues, tho these can be dealt with.

Probably the tallest tires you can reasonably install with little or no mods is 185/70x14, 24.2" diameter.

[sketchman]

That pdf you linked is for off-road apps. I'd talk to Advancedynamix on here before I chose to go big diameter over the traditional idea of trying to not go too tall to keep closer to the OEM diameter. He prefers a smaller diameter to even worrying about weight of the whole package. I go the other way on that one, but I don't have his experience on the track.

A smaller diameter tire that is wider with a shorter sidewall will be more stable in turns, and it also won't absorb as much energy to turn or stop vs a taller diameter. I'm also pretty sure that on asphalt a smaller diameter will be easier on wheel bearings and suspension parts, because it will have less leverage to transmit the road trying to tear it off in turns and braking.

[TominMO]

Good points by sketch. In general, lighter is better, because more responsive. Also better for city driving, as less power is required to move the wheels from a stop.

I bought these 165/80x15s to experiment with fuel economy, and will likely use them on road trips. The Honda spacesaver wheels they are on are heavy, but that shouldn't be much of an issue once they are rolling at hwy speeds. I think the lower cruising RPM will more than offset the slight extra power required to move them down the road. I didn't have much luck with them when I tried 'em out on my Aspire, but at the time it was also having a vac leak issue, so not a good test.

[old yellow]

I had 14" tires on my old Aspire (need 2 tires for those unknown rims) I currently have 13" tires on my Festiva but I think you don't want to go above 15" tires for the tire to not mass up the underside of the wheel wells

[jayber]

315/30/18 is what I have on my





































Vette :p

[Fecomatter]

I did notice that the article was for offroading, but There is no reason it doesn't apply.

Id like to see a picture of that festy with 17's.

[seniorgreenpants]

205/40r16's on a 16x7 38mm offset, clear all around up front, lock to lock. problem is on the rear. contacts rear axle beam and lower spring mount on shock.

This is all on a stock suspension with around 120k on it.

Rear axle can be notched and coil over/smaller diameter rear springs and spring perches.

[drddan]

Give me some time.. I will try to find the the 17" pics

[sc72]

The 17's that I remember were on Hamburglers car AKA Casper, he has since moved to Arizona, there was another member from So Dak that had 17's but also ran 2'' spacers.

[drddan]

Havent found the 17"s car yet, but here are some 16's (post #62)

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...965#post270965

here is a short description of what he did to have room for the 16"s ( post #30)

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...327#post266327