golfnutintib

Hi - I am looking at new tires for my 2004 AP2 - it is slightly lowered on Swift springs and Koni Yellows. Using a set of AP2 5 spoker CR wheels.

Stock rubber is 215/45/17 on front 245/40/17 rears. I have noted that Honda put 255/40/17 on the rears of the 09 CR from factory, so I imagine that must work ok on my 04 AP2. (Pls tell me if this is an incorrect assumption.)

My main question is, can I safely upsize the front rubber to 225/45/17 without causing rubbing issues? (I have stock fenders, and I don't want to roll them). I have been using 15 mm front spacers to get a wider track, but if I need to not use spacers to accommodate the 225 front tire I am happy to do that. Planning to go with MPSS or Hankook Evo V12 tires... neither are an abnormally wide tire for a given specified dimension.

Can I go with 225 fronts without clearance issues?

Thanks in advance.

s2000Junky

If you remove those 15mm spacers up front, then yes no problem. 225/255 is a common upsize for a stock Ap2.

riceball777

225/45/17 and 255/40/17 is a very common tire size for stock ap2 rims. All ap2 rims have the same exact width and offset.

rpg51

Yes. Why are you inclined to do that? I tried that set up. I did not like it.

golfnutintib

I guess I am just looking for a bit more tread on the tarmac for hard cornering... maybe placebo effect at the end of the day

i do realize this adds unsprung weight and hurts effective gearing a tad

thanks all for the input

rpg - what did you dislike about the setup (and what tires did you use)?

rpg51

If you are driving on the track or autocross I have no experience and no comment.

I drive on the street only. I did not like the way the larger beefier tires in the front changed the feel of the car. In my opinion n they made the car feel sluggish in its handling characteristics. They destroyed the lively feel of the car on the street. I had a set of 17" 225/255 conti extremecontact sports on Volk ce28 wheels.

I know the conventional wisdom is that bigger is better. I don't agree. Not for street driving. My experience is that modern summer tires have PLENTY of grip in stock sizes and there is zero need for beefier tires up front to increase grip. So, to me, as a pure street driver, the bigger rubber, especially up front, has no meaningful benefit and significant negative impacts on the street handling of the car. After bouncing all around re wheels and tires, I am back to stock sized wheels and tires, (16") on my ap1 and I am happy. My wheels are very light, (roughly 12+ lbs. up front and 13+ lbs. in the rear). My tires are light. The car has all the grip I will ever need and more. The car is a joy to drive in a spirited manner on the winding county roads strewn all around northern New England where I live.

s2000Junky

The key to effectively running wider rubber, is to get a proper wider matching set of wheels so you retain the best sidewall profile/shape for good handling character. Tire brand/construction aside, generally putting a wider tire on a set width rim will increase vagueness and sidewall deflection. A optimally size tire to rim width can still offer good feel (which is subjective anyway) with the enhanced grip wile tire construction does make a significant difference in feel/handling behavior. I would argue that the sensation of having grip to losing grip of a wider contact patch is favorable to feeling where the limit of adhesion is, wile I personally appreciate a heavier more planted feeling steering rather then overly light one.

I run 275/315 stagger on this car with the rim widths to suit them. Its a street car primarily that does see some track time as well.

riceball777

Got any pics of your 315/35/17 on your car? I'm about to make the switch to 315/35/17 nitto nt05. my 295/35/17 kumho xs are on its last leg. How do you like the 315/35/17 in the back? Notice anything different?

s2000Junky

The two are quite similar in grip/compound, but the NT05 are stiffer tires being a 3 ply sidewall which when moving to a taller sidewall is much appreciated for maintaining handling. The part I dont care for is they are again taller tires and also 2 lb heavier, so its an increase in gearing and weight which both aren't appreciated. But there is a big difference in width from a 255 to a 315 so i'm willing to deal with the compromises. For you and your power, it probably means nothing. The NT05 is only about 6mm wider total then the 295 kuhmos so visually there is little difference in that aspect, you will notice more in the sidewall height. My car is currently undergoing a wide body transformation so I can actually run a full width 315 and in an R compound if I want. Without wide over fenders i'm stuck with the NT05's because they are the only ones narrow enough to fit with cut/pull on stock fenders like the old 295 set up.

s2000Junky