NOTICE: Correct Rear Tire Size AP1
08-07-2009, 06:56 AM
#431
Because the best tires don't come in 245/45-16.
08-13-2009, 04:07 AM
#432
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^unless you get the toyo proxes ra1 
does anyone have a picture of their ap1 with 245/45/16 rear tires? i want to see how flush the wheel rim is compared to the tire sidewall
does anyone have a picture of their ap1 with 245/45/16 rear tires? i want to see how flush the wheel rim is compared to the tire sidewall
08-13-2009, 04:44 AM
#433
RA1's are R-compound track tires.
If we're talking track tires, there are better-gripping ones out there in 245/45-16. But for street/track dual-duty, the RA1's are likely the best choice of R-compound tires.
The RA1 is being phased out, replaced by the R888. However, due to its longer life, I believe Toyo has agreed to continue making it for Spec Miata classes. Looking at the Toyo website, they only show two 16" sizes for the RA1: 205/55-16 and 255/50-16. The 255 size is an inch taller than stock, not a good size for the S.
Toyo does make a performance street tire in 245/45-16, the T1R. But this tire is not going to give as much grip in the wet or dry as the B'stone RE11, Dunlop *Spec, or Yoko AD08 in 225/50-16. Toyo R1R should offer more grip than the T1R, but it's only available in 225/50.
Don't have a pic handy, but the 245/45-16 Kumho's I have on my stock wheels do pooch out a bit, definitely well beyond "flush" with the rim lip. Not a huge deal, but 245's are definitely a better fit on 8" or 8.5" wheels. 7.5" (AP1 width) is the minimum wheel width for 245/45's.
Anyhoo, the fact remains, the best STREET tires for the S are only available in 225/50-16 for the rears. Which, contrary to the thesis of this stickie, is not a big deal.
If we're talking track tires, there are better-gripping ones out there in 245/45-16. But for street/track dual-duty, the RA1's are likely the best choice of R-compound tires.
The RA1 is being phased out, replaced by the R888. However, due to its longer life, I believe Toyo has agreed to continue making it for Spec Miata classes. Looking at the Toyo website, they only show two 16" sizes for the RA1: 205/55-16 and 255/50-16. The 255 size is an inch taller than stock, not a good size for the S.
Toyo does make a performance street tire in 245/45-16, the T1R. But this tire is not going to give as much grip in the wet or dry as the B'stone RE11, Dunlop *Spec, or Yoko AD08 in 225/50-16. Toyo R1R should offer more grip than the T1R, but it's only available in 225/50.
Don't have a pic handy, but the 245/45-16 Kumho's I have on my stock wheels do pooch out a bit, definitely well beyond "flush" with the rim lip. Not a huge deal, but 245's are definitely a better fit on 8" or 8.5" wheels. 7.5" (AP1 width) is the minimum wheel width for 245/45's.
Anyhoo, the fact remains, the best STREET tires for the S are only available in 225/50-16 for the rears. Which, contrary to the thesis of this stickie, is not a big deal.
09-15-2009, 04:48 AM
#434
Originally Posted by jfs2000,Aug 5 2009, 12:05 PM
What happens if I bought my s2000 used and the front rims were on the back and the rear rims were on the front? Fronts tires right now are 245/40/17 and rear are 225/45/17. Is that bad for the car or bad for the handling?
Should be great for drifting and doing doughnuts.
11-02-2009, 11:27 AM
#436
At 25.7" 245/50-16 is nearly an inch bigger in diameter than the OEM 225/50-16 (24.8"). Besides the sidewall being less stiff (versus the same tire model), overall gearing will effectively be taller (same as if you went from 4.10 to 3.96 gears), and the difference in front/rear diameters would exceed 3% which is not recommended due to changing the braking bias.
Just go with 225/50-16.
Just go with 225/50-16.
02-03-2010, 09:29 AM
#438
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to make this a little easier to understand
when searching for tires, make sure to research the tread width of the tire you are comparing, be it 225 or 245 and try to be as close to 8.5" tread width as possible. there are some 225 tires that have close to 8.5" tread width like our s02's but most 245's are all 8.5" which is why 245's are recommended. if it was me i wouldnt even consider a tire that is under a 8.25" tread width be it 225 or 245. people get too hung up on the 225 vs 245 debate. a 225 tire with a 8.5" tread width is the same as a 245 tire with a 8.5" tread width.
when searching for tires, make sure to research the tread width of the tire you are comparing, be it 225 or 245 and try to be as close to 8.5" tread width as possible. there are some 225 tires that have close to 8.5" tread width like our s02's but most 245's are all 8.5" which is why 245's are recommended. if it was me i wouldnt even consider a tire that is under a 8.25" tread width be it 225 or 245. people get too hung up on the 225 vs 245 debate. a 225 tire with a 8.5" tread width is the same as a 245 tire with a 8.5" tread width.
