14in tires

[Cethern]

Does anyone else think we will see the end of 14in tires? The reason I ask is I was talking with a Rep from Bassett wheels he was telling me that a lot areas and tire makers are getting away from 14in tires.
And I was planning on staying with 14in tires to keep my RPM's up. Even though I will be going to either a 3:90 or 4:11 if it will fit.

So do I move up to a 15in wheel? What are your thoughts?:confused:
Thanks

Eric

[Matt Leicester]

As far as DOT Race tires are concerned, I suspect 14" tires are here for a while longer yet. There are an awful lot of Miatas and Hondas running around that have people buying race tires. I think I actually see a more depressing drop in availability of 16" tires now - 17" and 18" are getting better, but the 16's are getting a little thinner on the wider sizes. I don't know that I would count on seeing new sizes introduced in 14" tires, but I think the 205/55 and 225/50-14 tires will be around for at least the near future...

Matt Leicester

[Tom Hunsinger]

Yep, at this rate it will be about 10 more years before the 14" Miatas will have a million miles on them. Figure around then the 14" inchers will start going away :)

[mannix]

14s or not, you need wide 15s.

275/35-15.

That's a pretty wonderful thing. About the same OD as a 225/50-14, with a bit more girth, shall we say.

Yes, Eric, they made them for YOUR car:).




Iain

[Cethern]

Ok I'll stay with the 14's wheels I just found a set of old school Longchamps SSR's 14X7 that will work for now if I can get them before some else.

Mannix: I think to run something that wide I will need a lot more go under the pedal than I have right now. heck I can't get the rearend to come around as it sits right now. but with the 5sp and either the 4:11 or the 3:90 I have coming going that will help and the ported intake and header will help a little bit.

I was a little worried that steel wheels would hurt me a little with the weight.

For My street wheels I will go with a 16x8's


eRIC

[mannix]

Power? Bah.

110hp on the 2002;). Works great!



Iain (they're a big undertaking, though - pun intended, lots of cutting and other madness)

[mdahl]

I think unless you're running 17's you'll be frightened everytime you buy tires that "THIS" will be the last set you ever see.

I'm seeing less selection to play with in 16 too...
Sure, I'll always be able to buy Cooper Cobras in 205/55+225/50, but z doesn't want that crap!
Right now for cool non-R comps, I have 2
Tire Rack, Extreme performance (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/CompareTireResults.jsp?search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&startIndex=0&frontWidth=205%2F&frontRatio=55&frontDiameter=16&rearWidth=225%2F&rearRatio=50&rearDiameter=16&width=&ratio=&diameter=&performance=EP&RunFlat=All)
(it's a good thing I dig Kumho)