Wondering if you would change the tire stock tires with low profile tires, for example insteal of 50 go down to 40 or 45, would that change performance in any way since its changing the gear ratio. I've always understood the bigger the tire the more top speed you would get and the smaller the tire compared to stock, the faster it would accelerate but less top speed. Is that correct. Thanks.

 

In "principle", you are correct. However, the S2000 does not have enough power to redline 6th (which is close to 170 mph). It only achieve around 150 mph. Increasing your final drive ratio (numerically higher) either with gears or with tires, will NOT gain you any more top speed as you STILL only have so much power. What it does is allows you to get there a bit quicker.
If you reduce the total wheel tire diameter be going to a lower profile tire, all you have to do to figure out what kind of % increase in "mechanical advantage" is to find out how much change you get with the smaller diameter tire and divide that by the original diameter of the wheel/tire, multiply by 100.
A change to 4.44 rear gears on this car nets you about an 8% increase in mechanical advantage.
For example, assuming a wheel/tire diameter of 25". If you go to a lower profile drive wheel tire that is 24", you have a gear change equivalent to about 4%. You'd need a decrease of 2" to duplicate what a 4.44 gear would do for you.
ps. With a 23" rear tire, your car would look kinda goofy.

 

Thanks for your reply xviper. So If i would reduce to for example 205,45,16 in front and in the back 225,45,16, would u see a good increase in acceleration or is it not worth it. I know with 40 in front and back may look pretty goofy. Also, would you recommend 245 in back and 205 or 215 in front. Thanks

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rkhondas2000
Thanks for your reply xviper.

 

xviper, just to clarify then, you would see an increase in performance with 245,40,16 in the back compared to stock tires but may see a decrease in handling. HOw much would you think it would help in acceleration ?For example if the S does 0-60 in 5.5, would that change?? Thanks again

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rkhondas2000
xviper, just to clarify then, you would see an increase in performance with 245,40,16 in the back compared to stock tires but may see a decrease in handling.