Miata Mailing List: December 1992, Message #37
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   From: (none)
Subject: Re: 205/55VR14's for Miata
   Date: (none)

To: MIATA SEND

Darrin DiSimo writes... but I thought other would find this interesting.

((I was wondering how well they (Yoko 205/55's for the Miata) work with the
5.5" rims.  And how they work and feel compared to the 185/60HR14's.  Any
Pros or Cons would be very helpful.  I will be in need of some tires in
about a month.))

Alan Dahl and I went to the Yoko 205/55 this year for one main reason:
Wider tire with no major height increase.  The miata is basically
torqueless and is a speed maitenance autocrosser, therefore, the car should
do better if you can sustain higher speeds.  This is where the 205/55 does
work better.  Where you get hurt is anywhere you need to full accelerate
for awhile.  Most auto-x has some of this.  I did some 20-50 2nd gear
acceleration tests (same rims), and found the the car is 0.5 seconds slower
with the 205/55 tires (more rotating mass really hurts).  I believe the
overall result is slightly better using the 205/55.  This also depends on
your driving style.  I notice two basic driving styles.  Style 1) "Drive
right at/under the limit and never break the tires loose".  Style 2) "Drive
just over the limit and swing the rear end just a tade and keep the car
drifting out of turns."  I've seen both techniques work well in the sport.
Alan and I both drive using the first style.  The miata can be driven both
ways, but I feel the car is to twitchy to consistantly drive it fast using
the second method.  The 205 will not do the second method well.  The tires
are way to meaty for that.  It you prefer the second style or have lots of
acceleration course, get the 185s.  If not, get the 205s.  The 205 is over
tiring the rim so beprepared to raise you tire pressure quite a bit with
the 205s.  (we went from 28 to 35psi).   ---JCG.