Smaller Tires = More off the line power?!
 

Don't start flamin me pple, its just some i noticed, or at least I think I noticed...

I've got 16" wheels with 205/40's on them, and since the tire is a little smaller than the stock tire, it seems as if I pick up speed faster of the line. I mean, it almost makes sense doesn't it? a bigger tire takes longer to make one whole turn around, as appose to a smaller tire which will make one whole turn faster?!

It could be just me and my immagination, but it almost makes sense when I was thinking about it.

If anyone has any input, (and I'm sure you pple will) it would be appreciated, even if you can prove me wrong

Thanx, Mike

It's really more about the weight of the rim. With a smaller or lighter rim there's less resistance to the force coming from the engine.

I'd likewise assume that if you can get a 16 or 17 inch rim to with tires to weigh the same amount as stock.. the amount of power used to turn the wheel would be the same... but you'd also have a wider surface of which to grip the ground.. hence increasing you acceleration adn griping performance? though I have stock and am in the procces of lookin for light rims that still look good and are under 200 a piece.. dosnt help that sites dont say how much the rims weigh

Sure you don't want to post this in "off topic" also ? Then you'll have this posted on all four forums !!:shake:

i think if you have tires smaller than stock, you would actually be slower, because the wheel won't cover the same distances as a bigger tire compared in a test

- did you have to post in two forums?

you ARE faster, so long as the weight is about the same or less a smaller overall diameter will mean faster acceleration, at the cost of stability and traction, not to mention rackin up miles faster on your odo

I had 205/40R16 before, and i have 205/30R17 now, on the same rubber (well, obviously difference size)

in the 16" you are faster, the speedometer, when ur going 100kmh in the speedometer, ur actually going 92.Xkmh......

after i changed to 17", the ride is smoother, and more stable and u can turn better, i think
Just what i think...

Of course you will be off the line faster, if your front tires are of smqller diameter. That changes your overall gear ratio. It would be somewhat similar to going to a higer numerical gear ratio in your transaxle.

As far as traction goes, Civics aren' prone to smoking tires anyway, so most any tire, within reason, will give enough traction on dry pavement.