[NAC] wide wheels with rather narrow tires

[Peter Berrevoets]

Just for fun;

------------rim width-----tread width-----tire
width ----difference----rev/mile
205/60-15___5.5" - 8.0"________6.1"___________8.2"__________2.1"_________841
stock wheel_____6.5"

195/60-15___5.5 - 7.0__________6.3____________7.6___________1.3__________855

225/60-15___6.0 - 8.0__________7.3____________8.0___________0.7__________809

225/50-15___6.0 - 8.0__________7.9____________8.7___________0.8__________868

215/45-17___7.0 - 8.0__________8.0____________8.6___________0.6__________845
onto A8 17x8 et48 wheels with a 3mm spacer. (I'm thinking this will fit)

The difference column indicates the total sidewall overhang (flexible area)
from the outside of the sidewall to the start of the contact patch. When
you compare the existing rim width of 6.5 to the rim range, the closer you
are to the larger width, the stiffer and tighter the tire will feel.

The chart shows why I picked the 195/60 size with the rim width fitting into
the upper 1/3 of the range and increased tread width/contact patch without
changing the overall diameter much - this is more important than most people
realize in maintaining correct suspension geometry.

The last line is my intended upgrade and I think you can see why. With less
than 1/2" increase in overall tire width (1/4 inch in and out) I've got
almost
2" of increased width on the contact patch! (So long as this all fits)

Just for fun!

Peter Berrevoets
1990 200TQ
Toronto, Canada