I found a tire size that would be worth it for me to mod the 'rolla to fit >195 wide tires, but it's mostly R-comp slicks and streetable R-comps in that size, plus a few extreme performance summer tires (not including the Z1SS/Z2).
Anyone know if the selection in this size is getting better or worse?
I just picked up the new Hankook slicks in that size. I was only looking for r-comps at the time, but they were only available in a few of the sticky flavors. I imagine street tires would be more rare if not non-existent.
Toyo R1R, Hankook RS3, BFG Rival.
That's one more than last year, so i'd say it's getting more popular.
I'd run it. Worst case scenario they go away and you run 205/50s instead.
So, far the 225/45 street tires have required wider than 8" wheels to be better than 205/50s. 225/50s seem pretty good on 8" wide rims. Maybe the Rival will be different.
I've put 225's on 7" many times with good results. 8" wide is 245 range to me.
205/50 and 225/45 have a nearly identical sidewall height. Availability on 205/50-15 is quite strong still. So as long as you choose a wheel width that will work sufficiently for both sizes, you'll have little to worry about in the foreseeable future.
Gearheadotaku wrote: I've put 225's on 7" many times with good results. 8" wide is 245 range to me.
The point was that the tires so far in this particular size have been proven to be faster when mounted to a 9" wheel.
Doesn't mean they'll be crap on an 8" wheel. But if you're running an 8" wheel, may as well just run 205s because they're no slower than 225s on an 8" wheel.
I think I miss-understood what was going on here....
Gearheadotaku wrote: I've put 225's on 7" many times with good results. 8" wide is 245 range to me.
From what I've read, it's not the 225 width, it's the 45 aspect ratio. A 225/45-15 will physically fit on a 7" rim, but it won't work optimally and ends up no better than going with a 205/50 tire. It wants at least an 8" rim. Test results (by Andy Hollis) were best with a 9" rim.
(Owning an E30 I purchased primarily for autocross, I've researched this tire/wheel combo extensively)
Interesting note: one very fast driver whose opinion I respect says that the 225/45-15 on a 9" wheel isn't necessarily any better for ultimate grip, but it's easier to drive at the limit than the same tire on an 8". Which, of course, means faster times.
Personally, I've got my 225/45-15 rubber on 8" wheels. The reason is that I wanted a bit of extra sidewall compliance for my admittedly unusual requirements. But on our local track, I do have the record for Miatas and possibly for cars with doors. So they're not all bad.
As Swanky said, there's one more option than there was a year ago. So that's good. I've heard rumor of the Direzza coming in that size, but have yet to attempt to confirm that.
Gearheadotaku wrote: I think I miss-understood what was going on here....
Yep, I run my 205 R888s on a 15x8 and they are basically square on the wheel.
I would likely not be able to run the 225 on my wheel because the offset.
This size is relevant to my plans...
The other pertinent question for me is: what's the equivalent slick size?
ransom wrote: This size is relevant to my plans... The other pertinent question for me is: what's the equivalent slick size?
As in... drag slick? Or R-comp?
I mounted my 225/45 on an 8.25" wheel (weird huh?). They sit perfectly square on it, but they haven't seen any track time yet either.
Swank Force One wrote: Toyo R1R, Hankook RS3, BFG Rival. That's one more than last year, so i'd say it's getting more popular. I'd run it. Worst case scenario they go away and you run 205/50s instead.
and there are more, new, a-x street tires yet to hit the spring market , so there could still be some more choices
Yeah I'd be running something between 15x8 and 15x8.5. I guess I could fall back on 205/50/15s, but is the extra tread width of those over 195s worth the extra diameter, sidewall height and tire weight?
Yes. Especially on a 15x8.
The only outlier might be the 195 R1R and its "cheater" compound.
Swank Force One wrote:ransom wrote: The other pertinent question for me is: what's the equivalent slick size?As in... drag slick? Or R-comp?
As in roadrace/AX slick, for use in X Prepared...
ransom wrote:Swank Force One wrote:As in roadrace/AX slick, for use in X Prepared...ransom wrote: The other pertinent question for me is: what's the equivalent slick size?As in... drag slick? Or R-comp?
Probably the 225/45-15 Hoosier. 
In reply to Swank Force One:
I thought all the slicks were in wacky sizes... I don't see a 245/45-15 except in the A6/R6 DOT... Looks like maybe 23.5 x 13.0R15?
Or am I mistaken in thinking that "normal" roadrace slicks are an advantage over the DOT A6s for autocross in classes not requiring DOT approval?
Slicks aren't measured like dot tires. Instead of a 275 hoohoo, I'd be looking at the 23x9.5x15 slick. Height widthxrim size
Whoops, yeah, copied the wrong row off the Hoosier site; should've guessed 23.0 x 9.5R15... Comes in their softest compound, maybe AX appropriate?
I do wonder in the often-chilly PNW whether that'll actually be consistently faster than A6es...
Wish there was a street tire XP 
EDIT: sorry for the tangent... We can go back to actually discussing 225/45-15s now...
ransom wrote: Whoops, yeah, copied the wrong row off the Hoosier site; should've guessed 23.0 x 9.5R15... Comes in their softest compound, maybe AX appropriate? I do wonder in the often-chilly PNW whether that'll actually be consistently faster than A6es... Wish there was a street tire XP
Have a co-driver to help keep the tires warm and then when the weather gets warm, use water to help cool them down if they start getting slimy.
Keith Tanner wrote: As Swanky said, there's one more option than there was a year ago. So that's good. I've heard rumor of the Direzza coming in that size, but have yet to attempt to confirm that.
Unfortunately, my contacts can't confirm this. So don't count on a Direzza option in the near future.
Swank Force One wrote: Yes. Especially on a 15x8. The only outlier might be the 195 R1R and its "cheater" compound.
I run the Toyo R1R 195's (15x6.5) on my FX16. These tires do not like a lot of heat. When autocrossing in warmer months, they must be cooled with water from a garden sprayer or they get real greasy (slow). In your island climate this would not be ideal.
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