I posted this in the wheels/tires forum yesterday but got no response. In retrospect, it may have been better going here. Besides, I want some feedback.
When I had my AWD swapped over, we used a 3.90 tranny instead of a 4.11 (long story). As you can imagine, with 1.8L of raw horsepower pushing me down the road, I can't afford to have the final drive any taller. I spend 500+ miles a week on the Interstate at about 85 MPH, and now that it's getting hot enough where I'm starting to have to run the AC, even Nebraska's mild hills are making things interesting.
[edit] At an indicated 85 MPH, my engine's only turning at about 3375 RPM. LOTS of lugging going on here. I'm running stock 98 RS wheels and 205/55-16 Pirelli P7000SS right now which will need to be replaced soon.
Soooo... I want to run lower profile tires. Miata.net's tire size calculator shows that my final drive would be ~6.5% lower with the 205/45-16s which would be just about right. Anybody else run this tire size on the street? If so, have you had any problems with the low profile of the 45 series tires? Thanks for your input.
Josh Beach | <a href="http://www.lifeisbeachy.com" target="_blank">World's Slowest Impreza Project</a>
[This message has been edited by beachbum (edited May 03, 2001).]