Phantom

225/50/16 is the measurement of the stock S02's.

The first number "225" is the measurement from the widest part of the tire (sidewall to sidewall); which is the "overall width" in the diagram below.

[QUOTE]
From ]http://www.tirerack.com:
The first number is the width of the tire in millimeters, measured from sidewall to sidewall.

S2K Fan

Does the wide tread make them better?

legalrep

It is my understanding that Conner at Tire Rack has recommended staying with the 225 size on the rear for the S03s with the 16 inch rims. I have not confirmed this with him, however.

Phantom

Colin,

From the specs on the 225/50/16 S03 (8.3 inch tread width) on tire rack...I would say that the 225/50/16 S03 is not wider than the 225/50/16 S02 (8.5 inch tread width) for the S2000.

Because there is less contact patch on the S03's vs the S02's...I would say that there is less grip on the S03's. And because the S03 225/50/16 is a bit more narrow than the S02 225/50/16 for the s2000, you will notice quiet a bit of decrease in performance. But, the S03's are alot better for the rain.

Phantom

S2K Fan,

Wide & sticky tread in the rear is advantageous for drag racing and taking hard corners in a road race for the S2000.

Let me give you a real life example (drag race comparison):

I have 245/35/18 Toyo Proxes T1-S in the rear. lips2000 has 225/50/16 S02 in the rear.

Total wieght of 18x8.5 TE37 with 245/35/18 T1-S = 41 lb.
Total wiegh of 16x7.5 stock s2000 with 225/50/16 S02 = 44 lb.
S02 UTG* = 180
T1-S UTG* = 280
S02 tread width = 8.5 inches
T1-S trea width = 8 inches

*UTG is the rating of wear from the tire manufacturer. The higher the number means the longer your tire is "suppost" to last. I usually take this number when I consider tires because longer lasting tires usually mean they are less sticky.

The drag race test:

lips2000 and I have S2000's that are pretty much stock. I would like to say that both of us are competent at launching.

I ran 5 races with lips2000 on asphalt and concrete with the 245/35/18 T1-S...I would loose by at least a car length every time. This car length advantage was acheived by lips2000 on the launch every time. This could mean 2 things...1. I suck at launching, 2. The tires on my car can't hang with the S02's.

Then, the next couple weeks later I changed out the 18's and ran lips2000 with my S02's. The first race I beat lips2000 by a car lenght even though my launch was delayed. lips2000 launched before me (a car length ahead) but I caught up and beat him by a car length. Lips2000 said that i must have been the exhaust, intake, and because I weigh less than he does. My theory is that he didn't launch his at his best and I did. The 2nd race we launched beautifully simultaneously, chirped 2nd gear simultaneously and we ended up even all the way down.

So, because the 18's I have are not as sticky, wide, and do not have as big of a vertical contact patch as the 225/50/16 S02's...I loose a car length on my launch compared to a stock S2000.

Phantom

Colin,

I forgot to mention. According to the manufacturer, the S03's should last a bit longer than the S02's.

smccurry

Thanks for clarifying all of this. Since the OEM tires seem to be the best performing anyway, (I don't speed in the wet) I'll stick with the "225/50/16" S-02's.
ü

S2k Dude

Phantom, don't forget that the extra 2" in wheel diameter on your 18" rims (mabybe more or less overall tire diameter) creates a larger moment arm which would slow the car down 0-60.

That may be as much of a factor as less contact patch considering the S2000 does not produce a lot of torque.

Rick Hesel

legalrep

As James Mullins and I can tell you from our experience, what the TireRack recommends depends on which salesman you talk to. One told James exactly that - 225s on the rear for the SO3s - and another told James 245s, which was better advice as it turns out. In fact, when the second rep heard what the 1st recommended, he was a bit perturbed. I think the best advice in what you find on this board, becuase it's based on actual experience.

James has 245s on the rear with SO3s and I have 255s with Dunlop SP 90000s (in both our cases on 17" rims). They fit and operate just fine with now problems of any kind.

legalrep

Rick

Thanks for info. Would this still hold true with my 16 inch rims? Would it be just as safe, not void any factory warranties and not adversely affect the odometer and speedometer? What size on the front? Stay with 205? Also, I dont think the 245 S03 come out until July for the 16 inch rims.