i want bigger tires please

[1newZX2]

so right now i have 205/45/16. i can spin the tires like butter no problem at all without even trying. i want to put wider tires on the fronts only and leave the rears the way they are. im thinking 225 with no worrys of rubbing. maybe a 8" wheel with what kind of offset?. is there a chart/formula to help me figure out offset with this? THANKS

[mechtech]

It's best to stick with a stock offset. [45mm] Having front and rear different is not the best idea.
You may have to go a bit less with wider wheels .
8" wide sound like problems to me.
You will still spin the tires easily, so don't get your hopes up.
This is why many new factory cars have limiters in first gear - to avoid wild spinning in first.

[ZX2 S/R Black]

Mech is right...

I wouldn't go more than 7.5" or maybe it's 7" i forget... I have one of the 2...

and I have 215/40/17... no problems but I wouldn't go bigger than that IMO

[JonsZX2SR]

You don't just want bigger tires, you want tires that maintain a larger contact patch under acceleration.

Part of your problem is the 45% profile of the 205/45R16 tires. Stiffer, shorter sideways allow less deflection under hard acceleration limiting the contact patch.

If you look at the way drag radials work they have taller flexible sidewalls and run lower pressure. The stock tires have the outside diamters listed below. For better acceleration you might want something slightly less in diameter
-> 185/65R14 = 23.47" diameter, 4.73" tire height
-> 185/60R15 = 23.74" diameter, 4.37" tire height
-> 205/55R15 = 23.88" diameter, 4.44" tire height

Note that the 205/45R16 have a 23.26" diameter with a 3.63" sidewall height.

Assuming that you don't want to run 13" or 14" drag radials on the street, what you might look for are taller 14" tires with fairly sticky tread compound and low treadware. When drag racing you might want to lower trire pressure a bit. Under acceleration the taller sidewalls will deflect maintaining or even increasing the contact patch. You can run a slightly smaller tire to drop the drive ratio a bit and help acceleration.

Assuming you can find sizes you want condider getting 14" wheels and running the following...

-> 215/55R14 = 23.31" diameter, 4.66" tire height
-> 215/50R14 = 22.46" diameter, 4.23" tire height
-> 225/55R14 = 23.74" diameter, 4.87" tire height
-> 225/50R14 = 22.86" diameter, 4.43" tire height.

These are mostly oddball sizes and you may have problem finding tires in these sizes. Also consider a 15" tire sich as...

-> 215/50R15 = 22.86" diameter, 4.43" tire height.

Of course, some of these, especially the 14" are going to screw up handling and looks, so you may want to just fit the tires when you need them.

[Psychotuner]

I plan on doing a 225/50/15 BFG drag radial. #1 I have cut strut perches #2 I run spacers #3 ill have to find a small offset wheel like 30mm or smaller

[Blue ZX2]

1NewZX2 like Jons said, wider isnt the answer, you need side wall flex in order to get traction.

Check out the begining of the vid, and watch the side walls!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1755431392544431973&q=Pro%20funny%20cars&hl=en

But I do have a question for Jons. If he throws his factory swirlys back on, what would be the largest tire he could fit on them 15x5.5 rims? I know factory is 185/60R 15. Do ya think he could squeze a 215/55 or 45?

[1newZX2]

alright thanks guys ill see what i can do

[iceracer]

In first gear you can spin almost any tire. I can spin my Hoosier R6's.