Project Facelift

[Jand3rson]

Sidewall height has nothing to do with my comment, Josh. Think it through.

You're talking about contact patch width then, right? I added to my post above about the width of the tires I'm running now, read that.

Trust me, these tires are not undersized.

From TireRack's site, using a 16x7.5 Borbet Type B as an example. They suggest an even smaller size:

Borbet Type B
Bolt Pattern: 4-100
16x7.5 $149 each
Recommended Tire Size:
205/45-16

I'm really not trying to argue with you guys here, but I was told by several people that 205/50 was a proper size for this size wheel.

[Dave]

The sidewall height of a 225/45 is going to be damn nearly the same as a 205/50. You have to keep aspect ratio in mind when comparing tire sizes. The only reason it shows 225 is because of 7.5" width of the wheel.

And in Japan, they like Shrimp chips as a snack.

Sidewall height has nothing to do with my comment, Josh. Think it through.

[Jand3rson]

Oops for me on the 15/16 thing.

And Dan's right - 225/45.

I have 215/45-17s on my stock 17x7 on my IS300 and they just fit that width - surprised yours dont almost look stretched with 205s on a 7.5 inch wide wheel.

The sidewall height of a 225/45 is going to be damn nearly the same as a 205/50. You have to keep aspect ratio in mind when comparing tire sizes. The only reason it shows 225 is because of 7.5" width of the wheel. I would think that if 225/45 are what is the proper size for a 16" wheel, there would be a much larger selection available. Discount tire's site comes back with 4 tires in 225/45, and TireRack has 6. If you put in 205/50, TireRack comes back with 44 tires in that size. These Firestones I have on here now are 205/50, and they aren't stretched at all. In fact, if I lay the wheels face down on the pavement, the sidewall of the tire touches the ground before the face of the wheel, by about 1/4".

[AdironRider]

205/50 is a perfect match. When I swapped my stock weaves for my Borbet's I got lucky and there was one of those roadside rader things that tell you how fast your speeding. I did a couple runs stock and with the new wheels running 205/50's and it was spot on.

[Dave]

225/45/16 is the right 16" size man, use the tire calculator off that Miata website in the FAQ section.

Oops for me on the 15/16 thing.

And Dan's right - 225/45.

I have 215/45-17s on my stock 17x7 on my IS300 and they just fit that width - surprised yours dont almost look stretched with 205s on a 7.5 inch wide wheel.

[M42Technik]

Actually, my wheels are 16 x 7.5, 205/50/16 is the perfect size for these wheels. :up:

225/45/16 is the right 16" size man, use the tire calculator off that Miata website in the FAQ section.

[Jand3rson]

Actually, I think the specified size for 15s on an e30 is 205/55 or 225/50, so technically, its undersized.

Having said that, I think a lot of people run 205/50 - plentiful and cheap.

Actually, my wheels are 16 x 7.5, 205/50/16 is the perfect size for these wheels. :up:

[Dave]

Actually, I think the specified size for 15s on an e30 is 205/55 or 225/50, so technically, its undersized.

Having said that, I think a lot of people run 205/50 - plentiful and cheap.

[Jand3rson]

Nope, they're 205/50's. The back looks like it's sitting high because when we lowered it back down off the jack, I didn't release the ebrake. Anytime you jack up the rear with the ebrake on, when you lower it back down it sits high. When you release the brake, it always sits back down.

[AdironRider]

Looks good.

Are you running undersized rubber on your wheels Josh?

[Dave]

I'm going to plastics on my 89 vert, so I just needed to know about the rear valence...can't wait to see the final.

Just remember - you do NOT have to cut the rear bumpers to fit your vert the way Josh did. They will be a direct fit.

[smooth]

damn, I just read the whole damn thread.
great job.

I'm going to plastics on my 89 vert, so I just needed to know about the rear valence...can't wait to see the final.

sweet

and lovin the r3vlimited.com sticker on the air compressor :)

[Jand3rson]

Here's a few more shots of the rear apron, these are a lot more clear. This is the final position of the apron, we'll be welding it exactly where it is. It's got perfect gap with the bumper all the way around, and everything is adjusted perfectly.

Here's my goofy ass in the reflection. I was too lazy to go get my tripod. My car also now has like 4 different VIN numbers. :D

[backtrail69]

I got my rear valance sitting behind my car awaiting some rust repair and slight secret modifications... :D