Your opinion on tires.

[ggarrard]

Justin - Try running the numbers through a tire size comparison - and pay particluar attention to the revs/mile...

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

Sorry - no experience with the 195/60-14s

GWGarrard

[Victor Laury]

the Ziex ZE-512 are excellent tires for a daily driver/sport'n around car. You may want stickier if track days, extreem canyon carving or autoX is in your plan. I have a set of 225/50/15's on my street wheels. Good on dry or wet conditions. Just great for everything to about 8/10's effort

[Montezuma]

Here's a picture of my 280Z with 205-60-14's, the tires are Kelly Platinums. I'm satisfied with the ride, handling and the way it fills up the wheel-well. The springs on the car are stock/OE.

Neither Costco or Discount Tire would let me go oversized on the tires because of the liability issue.

Not to off track here.....but....I was totally blown away when I went to Costco and they would only sell me the size that is inside the door jam. I told them I will take my business elsewhere. The elsewhere turn out to be Discount Tire which sold and installed the tires I asked for. I think the 205-60-14s are little tall I prefer the 195s more.

[Sean240Z]

"I am thinking of getting Falken Ziex ZE-512 in a 205 60 14 all around. Im looking for a good handling tire with reasonable treadwear. "

Justin,

I've got Falken Ziex ZE-512, 205-60R14's on my 240z (5-speed, 3.9 R200).

Overall, I'm very pleased with them. I had BFG Comp T/As 215-60R14s before and the Falkens are a big improvement (i.e. have better wet grip and are more progressive when they break away). I do run them at 45psi though as I found that at lower pressures, they tend to feel a bit "squirly" when transitioning from a slalom to straight away. Even at 45psi, I do not find the ride too harsh (at least with Suspension Techniques sport springs).

I like my "Old School" 14's.

Cheers,

[zztom]

Are all you guys running with lowered cars? My car has OEM stock springs and 205-70R14 and they fill the wheel wells perfectly

[Murph]

Agreed. I have 205/60-14 with a 3.54 rear end, too short geared for a 4 speed. If you don't like the choices in 215/60 or 225/60 (and many don't as the selection isn't very great), better to go with 15 or 16" wheels instead.

I just found out at the tire shop this morning that we can still get our hands on the Yokohama A509s in a 225/60-14 over here is australia. That's what I'm currently running on my zed car and I'm very happy with them. Looks tough with a tire that wide too.

[sblake01]

I just found out at the tire shop this morning that we can still get our hands on the Yokohama A509s in a 225/60-14 over here is australia. That's what I'm currently running on my zed car and I'm very happy with them. Looks tough with a tire that wide too.

Those are what I have on my Z. Can't seem to find them over here anymore.

[Victor Laury]

we can still get our hands on the Yokohama A509s in a 225/60-14 over here is australia.

Buy Them! Those tires Just plain rock. I have no clue why Yokohama discontinued them. They are a lot softer than the tires we've been talking about here. I'd class them with the Azenis sports in tradwear and traction.

Do you own that Awesome Yaki Cedric? Man! that's the gansta lean!

[justin260z]

Thanks guys. I'm probably going to go woth the Falken Ziex ZE-512 in a 205 60 14 for now. If I can't get those, I'll just run some more 195 70's until I find some decent 15 inch rims, maybe the Konig Rewind. Sean240z, your car looks good with those Falkens!

[Walter Moore]

BTW the transmission calculator so many of us use has never been close to what my car showing. It says I should be running 3500 rpm at 80 with my setup, pretty far off.

Just curous, have you actually verified that your speedometer is right?

I assume that you have, but thought I should ask the question...

As you pointed out, the 190/60 14" tires are 590mm OD vs the 620mm of the "stock" 190/70 14" tire, that would put the actual distance/speed at 95% of the registered speed (the speedometer would read fast).

Since you quoted the gear ratios, I assume that you have changed the speedometer drive gear in your transmission, but if others didn't know to do that...

[jackboxxx]

I need new tires, and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I am thinking of getting Falken Ziex ZE-512 in a 205 60 14 all around. Im looking for a good handling tire with reasonable treadwear.

Ive got a set of those exact tires on my Z,

no complaints at all...

[justin260z]

Do the four and five speed trannys have the same top speed?