Quote:
Originally Posted by fitless
Hey, MINI-Fit, I was hoping you'd chime in some time. Thanks for the guidance on all those brands - it's nice to have so many choices for our tiny tires. Any input on whether the larger sizes like 215's or 225's are of any benefit? How about staggering the tires larger front/smaller rear? Seems like a camber-challenged car might benefit from more rubber up front even if they're not prone to going up in smoke when we punch it off the turns...
If a 205/50 or 195/50 is the magic size, that's great, but since the tire budget is going to be pretty stinkin' tight for a few years, I'd hate to leave something on the table when I purchase my dedicated "fun" tires.
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OEM Sport tires are: 195/55-15 = 23.44 inches in diameter
OEM Base tires are: 175/65-14 = 22.95 inches in diameter
(this fits rims 5-6" wide)
This thread is about stock class autocross which means rims are limited to-
14x5.5" for the base Fit (as far as I can determine)
see
2008 Honda Fit - Details, Features, Specifications, Warranty
I did search as much as I could to see if there was a listing for the stock fit wheel to be 14x5 but I could not find any.
Honda does make steel rims for the older civic in both 14x5 and 14x5.5"
For wider tires-
In Kumho Ecsta V710:
195/55-14 fits rims 5.5-7" wide, 22.2" tire diameter
In Hoosier A6 and Kumho V710:
205/55-14 fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide, 22.7" tire diameter
225/50-14 fits rims 6-8" wide, 22.8" tire diameter
So for the 5 or 5.5" wide rim 225 is a bit too wide for a perfect fit. It is possible to force fit a wider tire on a narrow rim but that would make the tire tread more narrow after mounting than would be optimal and clearance might be an issue. Sizes in 215mm wide tires for 14" are not readily available for tires that would be good for autocrossing.
For 15x6" rims
In Kumho V710:
225/50-15 fits rims 6-8" wide, 23.7" tire diameter (taller than stock- would likely rub or risk rubbing since taller and wider than stock tires.
In Hoosier A6:
225/45-15 fits rims 7-9" wide, 22.8" tire diameter
275/35-15 fits rims 9-11" wide, 23" tire diameter (too wide for stock rim)
I think these are wider and stock sized diameter or larger so more risk for rubbing. 9" wide rims wouldn't fit easily.
Part of the problem is you can't change negative camber that much in stock classes legally. You have to use nearly stock offset for the wheels and you don't have many sizes to choose from that will give you a smaller tire diameter whether in 14" or 15". (not quite as bad with 14" sizes)
Staggering sizes is possible as long as you can minimize rubbing in the fronts and rears. Generally it's best to have same sized tires front and rear but the aggressive driver might be able to adjust and handle more rubber in the front. Realize that more rubber means more weight and the Fit doesn't have that much extra power.
For most autocross drivers in stock class a good place to start would be-
195/55-14 for the base fit
and
205/50-15 for the Fit Sport
If there are other older Honda civic drivers in your area you can ask to try on a 4x100 14" wheel with a wider 225mm tire and see how it agrees with your Fit and report back to us.