Will 205/50/15 fit on 15x8 wheels?

[exST165]

I have bought a slightly used set of 205/50/15 Yokohama A032R and I need to wrap them around something. I have found a killer deal on a set of Koning 15x8" wheels on another board, or I could buy a new set of 15x6.5 wheels (forget the brand - but they were light) locally at a good price.

According to the Yokohama web-site 205/50/15 will fit on 5" to 7.5" wheels and the sizes they give are on 6.5".

So my questions are:
1) is it safe or advisable to run the Yoks on 15x8 wheels?

2) would it be better to play it safe and pay more for wheels that I know will work and avoid the whole long distance internet deal thing?

Any and all advice is welcome and appreciated,
Thomas

[andrew1984]

yes it will fit, but they will be stretched. (if thats isnt a problem for you)

[exST165]

Originally posted by andrew1984
yes it will fit, but they will be stretched. (if thats isnt a problem for you)

Thanks, but is there any advantage/disadvantage to going to a 15x8 vs a 15x6.5? Will I have to run higher tire pressures on the 15x8 (or something like that) that will eliminate any advantage of the wider wheel?

Thanks

[haniforama]

When i ran a 205-50-15 on a 15X7 (vs having run then on a 6.5" rim) i ended up running a LOWER tire pressure since i was not rolling over onto the sidewall as far. The sidewalls were much more upright and increased the steering feel and response.

I would suspect the same trend going up to a 15X8".

I know some 205's (Kumho/Hoosier) recommend a 15X8" rim so there should be no drawbacks.

You'll have to experiement with tire pressures to arrive at an optimum for your setup.

Hanif

[pete@wheelandti]

When it comes to wheel width, the only thing I can say is go as wide as possible. Basically, you want the sidewall to be as stiff and as straight as possible. (NO jokes Hanif)

So, a 205 on a 8" wheel will be good, but stay away from the curbs on the street.

When I raced, I ran a 185/60R14 on a 14X7" wheel. It really helped response, and I was able to run lower tire pressures, as well.

Just make sure that the wheel you are buying is actually an 8" wheel. Most people like to measure the outside of the wheel, to make it sound wider. Even on a 7" wheel, a 205 is good.

[exST165]

Thanks Pete,
unfortunately the 15x8 wheels are Koning Tuners and according to http://www.wheelweights.net/ 15x7 Koning Tuners are 17.0 lbs each! Assuming the wheels I saw for sale are in fact 15x8 they can only be heavier.

Trolling around Honda-Tech and ebay I see 15x6.5 Koning Heliums at 11.5 lbs and EdgeRacing at 11.9 lbs for sale but who knows what the shipping, duties and exchange is going to be. I guess I should e-mail you off-line and get some local prices for Koning Heliums or Kosei K-1s. I really don't give a wet slap what they look like, just that they are light, strong and affordable. <insert "pick any two" joke here>

[pete@wheelandti]

15X8s are extremely rare in an offset that is suitable for FWD cars. Kosei K1s are/were available, and they are in the $325-350 range.

Don't be too stressed about wheel weight. Yes, lighter is better, but a more important dimension is the wheel width.

I do usually have some 15X7", 4X100mm wheels in stock, for competition.

[exST165]

So I'm the picture of indecision: there is no way in heck I can spend $1,400 + taxes on a set of wheels (at least while the Minister of Finance sees Canadian tire comercials advertising steel winter rims for $39.95 each - I mean, they're round and hold a tire too!) but there are a couple of deals on-line that are in my bracket ($600-$800 all up)

- light 15x6.5" at 11.9 lbs/each

- heavy 15x8" at +17 lbs/each

Price will be about the same for either set after a bit of dent repair needed on one wheel of the 15x8 set.

So given that I'm driving an underpowered Hondu at some Solo II events, which should I go with? Assuming of course that the heavy wheels are in fact 8" wide.

TIA,
Thomas

[Logan]

If the heavy wheels are in fact 8" wide, that is what I would buy.
You can get a 225 on them, more surface area means more grip, more grip means faster through the corners.