TeamSwift

This thread will be for all of those who have information to share in regards to appropiate tire sizing for your GTi. If it is useless information I will delete the post and it can be started in a different thread. Pictures, advice, tips and information will all be very useful and left on.<br><br><br><br>-Kyle Jones<br> TeamSwift Administrator<br> <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub83.ezboard.com/bteamswift.showUserPublicProfile?gid=whattheeee>Whattheeee</A> at: 1/9/03 6:29:11 pm<br></i>

Kumho makes one of the only 195/45 R15 tires out there. The Ecsta Supra 712. 15" rims and these tires are as big as you can go when lowered without rubbing. Lots of stick for little cash. <p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.jufa.ca/20010501/page_01.htm" target="top">My Suzuki 1.3 GT</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

i've read some good reviews on the kumho's, but i've also heard they're a bit heavy. have you tried them yourself ? done any auto-x w/ them ?<br>they sure have a mean looking tread pattern to boot. <p></p><i></i>

Grassroots Motorsports magazine, the best mag in my opinion, does tire comparo's periodically. From what I've seen all the tires are within a couple of pounds of each other. The Kumhos did not have quite as much grip as the BF Goodrich or Falkens, but were close. The kicker is that they are much cheaper then the competition. Tire wear is reported to be good too.<br>I am going with Kumho's when I buy rims for the car. <p></p><i></i>

Kumhos wear better than the Falkens and the BFG's, but haven't the traction (obviously a harder compound). They are a bit heavy too, BUT they are usually 50-60% of the price of any others...and they come in that weird 195/45 R 15 size(only "true" low profile tire in 15's readily availble).<br><br>I have auto-x'd on these tries and find them to to be fairly sticky (better with heat), GREAT responsivness, GREAT in the wet, progressive breakaway and a nice and handy little rim protector lip to keep from scuffing when you park too close to the curb. All in all, very good, but not as good as the more expensive tires. I have driven better in all categories (except maybe wet traction for a "z" rated tire). The topper is they are CHEAP!<br><br>Kumho makes one of the best r-compounds out there too - the Victoracer, and now have a new 711 tire thats supposed to be even better than the 712's....good stuff happening at Kumho.... <p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.jufa.ca/20010501/page_01.htm" target="top">My Suzuki 1.3 GT</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

Right now I'm not lowered and don't think I ever will simply because the ride would be way to harsh. Anyways in the summer I'm planning on getting a nice set of rims/tires but don't want to rub the fenders what are some tire options??<br>Currently I've got 185/65r/14's I would like to get 45 or 50 series on there for a nice low profile look are 16's at all possible without rubbing? <p></p><i></i>

If you don't want the harsh ride associated with a lowered car you probably don't want 16" rims because they will also give you a harsh ride. 205 40 16 is the closest available size to what will fit, but you will likely have rubbing on the rear fender. Also the ride will be very harsh. <p></p><i></i>

i know from the weekend that ssgt92's 16's look huge in the wheel wells, but rub, the car is lowered w/ h&r springs. <br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.wizardly.org/swifts/feb2meet/thumbnails/ssgt92_16by7.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br>likewise noriocanada had only 14" mags & stock height, but the car still looked pretty good.<br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.wizardly.org/swifts/feb2meet/thumbnails/noriocanada_02.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br>http://www.wizardly.org/swifts/feb2meet/index.html <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub83.ezboard.com/bteamswift.showUserPublicProfile?gid=n1tr0>n1tr0</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://images.slashdot.org/topics/topicximian.gif" BORDER=0> at: 2/4/03 2:37:58 am<br></i>

I have a set of Yokohama Prada Spec 2 's 205/40/16 and they are the best tire i have tried i had to bend the fender lip in the back (the car is lowered with H&R springs) but in the front they don't rub at all. they are nice and sticky in the dry and rule in the wet (i really have to try to get the car to hydroplane 3-4 inch puddles) and for $84US i will get them again and again from http://www.tirerack.com <p></p><i></i>

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Kumho makes one of the only 195/45 R15 tires out there. The Ecsta Supra 712. 15" rims and these tires are as big as you can go when lowered without rubbing. Lots of stick for little cash. <hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br><br>UMMM NO......<br>I had 205/40/17's on my car<br>it was lowered 3 1/2 inches all round....<br>not ONCE did it ever scrub<br>I even used to drive to car shows with NO springs and it still wouldnt rub<br>you just had to know how to modify the guards so they wont rub <p></p><i></i>

I have replace the Nittos with the latest SCCA craze: Falken Azenis for 37.00 each (195/60/14).<br><br>On one side I still get a rub after setting the Koni Sport strut to firm. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub83.ezboard.com/bteamswift.showUserPublicProfile?gid=whattheeee>Whattheeee</A> at: 4/4/03 7:05:25 pm<br></i>

I think what he ment was that is as big as you can go without modding the fender lip. <p></p><i></i>

What is the widest rim/off-set some of the 'racers' have made accomodation for? I'm going to go with 205/50/15s R compounds next time, and that seems almost as big as it gets with fender rolling and 'suspension mods'. <br><br>Anyone ever try 205/55/14s at the track? I'm contemplating cheaping out and staying with smaller rims...<br> <p>-Kyle Jones <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.angelfire.com/de/ksj/myswift.html"><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong> Junk-Yard Turbo set-up, formerly NOS-fed, constantly evolving 1989 Suzuki Swift GTi</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br></a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br></p><i></i>

Mate, listen Khumo's look great but thats about the extent of there performance abilties. I've had several tires of the same specs you have mentioned. At first test they even seem, dare I say it, a resonable performance tire. Their OK in the dry , reasonably quiet, and seem to be true (round) enough but after the first few thousand KM's or so the problems start. They quickly seem to become hard and well quite honestly lack grip all round and speaking of round , they arn't and tend to vibrate your fillings out. Sorry to burst your bubble mate but you get what you pay for. Perhaps have a look at the Falken ZE512 , Even this isn't the top of the line but from a price point it's not bad. <p></p><i></i>

a great tire sizing calculator can be found <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://pub83.ezboard.com/fteamswiftfrm8.showMessage?topicID=278.topic" target="top">in this post from ssgt92</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> .. just remember the stock wheel size is 175/60/r14 for comparison <p></p><i></i>

Falken ZE512.......anyone use these? I have heard good but.....I have Comp T/A's right now but it's time for new skins. 185-60-14 opinions......street tires (minor track time) <p>Tony<br><br>Proud owner of<br>1970 AMX 360/auto with A/C<br>1989 Suzuki Swift GTi<br></p><i></i>

In reference to the kumhos, I can only go on what I have read from the professionals. Grassroots motorsports admitted that their grip was not up to the BFG or Falken (higher tread wear rating). They tested the tire for 9000 miles and said they were great. Good in wet weather, low wear, and low price. They also commented on the popularity of the kumho at all the autocrosses they attend (they autocross a lot, trust me). Now, could the tire really be that bad if so many people are using them instead of Falkens, BFG, Pirelli, etc.? If it is a track only car, then I would go with Hoosiers or BFG's. But, if you want real performance on the road, and a decent autocross tire also, then Kumho is the way to go. <p></p><i></i>

In responce to the Khumo question. Mate the fact that soo many people choose the khumo to shoe thier toys with is a compelling argument and I guess if a good looking tire that is only required for moderate performance and is cheap to boot are your selection criteria ,then the Khumo is fine. It is true you may get more milage out of the Khumo's when compared to the Falken, BFG and the like but that is simply because the Khumo uses a harder compound rubber and therefore less grip. I've used both Khumo's and Falken and honestly on a sunday drive you would be hard pressed to notice a difference but on that 10% of the time that you are plastered to the side door of your car from the extreams of cornering and you are on the limit of traction and out of the blue the unexpected happens and either the tires hang in there just that bit more or you bin your car, I know the tires I would choose. Mate the easiest way to explain it is this . What would you rather put on your feet, Dunlop Volley or Nike.<br><br>A bit long i know But hope it helps<br><br>Jed <p></p><i></i>

Mate, They stick like shit to a blanket. I couldn't be happier with them. My last set saw 40000 kms road use and neumerous fangs through the mountains. They may not wear quite as well as some of the others but they are very sticky and are quite worth the reduced life the ZE 512 also has nice round sholders which means they are much quieter than the old ZE 502. For more of my thoughts on this tire see my other posts in this forum. Bottom line you get what you pay for.<br><br>Jed<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

O.K. guys and girls its time for shed to host tire 101 class. did you know...the kumho 712 and victor racer are the same tire from the inside? same belting, sidewall construction diferent rubber compounds account for the dry weather handling difference.most guys buy the kumho based on price. falken ze-512 is a good street compromise tire as it is an all-weather design but is h-rated in the 60 series and v rated in the 205/40-16 size. the best tire for the swift unfortunatly was discontinued by yokohama, the a-520. this tire had a steel insert in the sidewall that added strength and allowed them to run a softer rubber compound- better ride and cornering power.Now only the parada spec2 is built in the 205/40-16 tire size. dunlop builds the fm901 sport compact tire.<br><br><br><br><br><br>as far as fitting with out rubbing...the maximum wheel width you can safely use is 6.5..7 if you roll the fenders. 7.5 would require major modifications to the fender. offset is important also as this determines how the wheel sits on the hub. the best 16 inch fitment woul be a 16x6.5 with a 40 offset, very rare.I have seen 17's but i do not know the extent of the mods that were performed to get them to fit. does anyone have a story to share about 17 inch rims? <br><br><br>lastly buy your tires from tires.com they have free shipping. their data base on the swift only goes up to 15 inch fitments...but if you know what you want just order it!!! <p></p><i></i>

kumho 712 195/45/r15 are on for $94cdn @ <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.tiretrends.com/tire_info.php3?detailID=4460" target="top">tiretrends.com</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>i think ray said the guys name was roberto ? i left the business card @ home, tell them you heard about it on teamswift, maybe we can get a further discount =)<br>also, they do have <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.tiretrends.com/tire_info.php3?detailID=2490" target="top">the yokohama a-520</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> in 195/45/r15, i have no idea what the tire is like, but it's only $142cdn & they list the msrp @ $240 ... <p></p><i></i>

Do you have to roll the fender lip with the 195-45-15 and do you have any rubbing problems?<br>This is the size I was thinking of going with for my street rims. <br>It is all about compromise with tires. You can get expensive and sticky tires that dont last as long and yup, you will get great stick. But for street I want reasonable price and longevity too. <p></p><i></i>

I just had a set of the Falkens put on 185-60-14.......man are they skinnier than my Comp TA's in the same size......<br> <p>Tony<br><br>Proud owner of<br>1970 AMX 360/auto with A/C<br>1989 Suzuki Swift GTi<br></p><i></i>

I just mount my Azenis Sport today! unfortunately, i don have time to test drive it yet! on the way home, the rear tires rub like hell! i have 195/60/14 on a set of American Racing 14x6 with 35mm offset. i guess i have to burn it it a bit plus roll the rear fender lips! As for performance now, hmmmm..... tires still lock under heavy breaking and the tires are very very heavy! i have to wait for the weekend and roll the fender lips and test drive it on corner! but i can feel the emergancy lane changing is very sensitive. and for sure it looks very very cool! looks like a slick! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

huge <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.superhonda.com/tech/wheel_weights.html" target="top">guide of wheel weights here</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>& it looks like the same list <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.vtectuning.com/wheelweight.html" target="top">here</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> <br> <p></p><i></i>