Is Bigger Better? 15 Inch Vs 17 Inch Wheels & Tires

Are 15-inch wheels and tires faster than 17-inch wheels and tires on a FWD Honda Kswap K20 Civic? We find out using 15x7.5 Konig Hypergram wheels with 225/205 Nankang AR-1 tires and 17x8 Konig Dekagram wheels with 235/215 Nankang AR-1 tires.

Favorite Tools:

[SynicalBeats]

I went from a 205 to a 245 in my dsm and that made an incredible difference. Going to a wider tire is my favorite "mod"

[GarageBuiltHondas]

I love wheel/tire info. Probably my favorite subject when talking about cars.

[GianniKnowsBest]

Hypothesis: 15 better for track and 17 better looks for street. Weight difference makes the difference.
Conclusion: 17 are better at the track, kind of surprised by it. 15s have better ride quality on the street.
Good to know.

[skate]

I am in a k20 swapped civic coupe just like in the video. Started out on 15x8 +35 with 225/45/15 R888 all around. As much as I like the acceleration of this setup I would spin and loose traction on corner exit. Not understeer just wheel spin. I moved to 16x7.5 +42 on the same tire and went 2 seconds faster. This 16" setup did have a slightly larger diameter on the same width but provided so much more traction on corner exit. Gearing was also better and my top speeds increased as well. To sum it all up, no questions, the 16" setup is better for the power and torque of the k20.

[scottjohnson]

how many times u ganna slap the tire ???

[SledHead]

I'm glad to see someone else still enjoying their Civic who has gray hair. I'm not the only one now :P Nice coupe and thanks for the effort in this test!

[mexicossie]

The btcc originally fitted bigger rims in order to fit bigger brakes it looks cool but unless you change your gearing it is not something for the street other than looks

[doppelganger]

Totally wholesome informative video for everyone. Lightweight wheel setup will always be better because after 4-5 laps the brakes tend to fade then your timing will starts to get affected as you have too brake early.

[fatboy]

Shouldn't the outside diameter be the same on both the 17 and the 15"? If you are running an 65 series tire on the 15" there should be an 45 series on the 17" right? Giving both tires the same outside diameter.

[kengarcia]

Came here to see the 15 vs 17 inch comparison, but just got distracted by how damn good that Honda sounds

[TheFirstAmendment]

“Oohhh yah hey” lol Canadians LOVE IT 😭🤙👏

[mrjackbagginz]

I have been a boy racer for 25 years, . My first car was an 86 pulsar, . I paid a set of falkens on 15 inch watanabes and really made the car better, . At the moment i drive a lexus hybrid 4 cylinder fwd and running on reverse staggered tyres on staggered rims, . 265 35 on 8 inch and 255 35 on 9 inch
Pilot cup 2 fronts and pzero rears, . Handling is the best

[sieve]

Mic audio is great on the track guys, kudos. Love it when I see the civic on the channel!

[EVOFans]

Is it even possible to do a 100TW tyre setup?
Nankang AR-1 vs Toyo R888R vs Nitto NT-01 vs Maxxis RC-1?
That would be a fucking awesome test to see

[EgregiousTony]

8:38 if you want to jump to the answer. Amazing video! Great content as always!

[JamesMastercard]

That's it this video just made me want to make my own to teach the RIGHT WAY to pick wheel and tire size

[danielkarlsson]

If anything I must say that the engine sounds funking great both inside and out.

[tomtomburke]

God dam that engine sounds beautiful 😍

[WannabeTuners]

That is such a clean setup!! Looks like a fun car to drive!

[GuyX]

I had an EK at one point and definitely liked the looks of the 15s . On a track I might go to 17 for cornering grip but for going fast in a straight I'd stick with 15's.