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I would really like some input on new tires for the Civic.

OEM size is 205/55/16. It came with Bridgestone EL400's. I would like some good thread wear and low rolling residence would be nice. I would like as deep of tread grooves as possible. Over all ride comfort isn't top of the list, nor is road noise. Its a Honda they breed road noise.

Ive been also looking at some after market lighter wheels in the 15 lb. to 17 lb. area. These would be 17" x 7" wheel wearing something like a 215/45/17. The EX alloy OEM wheels are in the 19 lb. to 20 lb. class range.

I'm also looking at Honda's lowering suspension. Good for about a 1/2" to 3/4" drop. Includes the springs with struts and shocks. Also looking into putting SI sway bar's on it.

I realize if I went with nice sticky tires the car would handle great. But honestly. I don't need or want the upper end of grip. I can deal with a bit of greasy handling. No problem.

Ive looked into Avon, Goodyear's, Bridgestone's, Dunlap's, Yok's and others. And to tell you the truth,,, **** there are a lot of tires out there. Could really use more eye's and ideas.

Thanks

psy

Hi Psy:

___While at the Chicago Hybrid Group Meet two weekends ago, Marc’s TCH had some 16’ something or other but the item I liked the best was they were 51 #’s MAX Sidewall. Anything with 51 #’s max sidewall has always had a low RRc and I bet these were as well. I cannot guarantee they are but it’s yet another to consider … The 16” Michelin Energy’s on your Accord have RRc < .009 which is amazing for an OEM all-season radial but they aren’t cheap either :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

haha oh man why not just fork over for an SI? i guess modding it is cheaper still... i've been lurking in http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/jdm/prius/prius0405.php and was eyeing closely at the areo mods (side skirts particulary), even better the various spring kits made me wonder if I want a sporty prius hehe.. i do like taking high corners and following a racing line but hm... exhaust for extra 2 horse? hm might help with pulsing lol!

but man... these parts are expensive... i will NEVER MAKE UP THE COST this way! but i bet my prius would be a little more fun to drive... i'm at a satisfactory rate on how the prius corners... with these mods on top i might have to ditch the mid 55 mpg tanks and go have some fun!

ya ok just kidding... that's just too much money for "fun", i'll stick with virtual racing...

Xcel

I looked up the tires you made mention of lastnight. I would think they are BS EL400-02 V rated I think. With a max psi. of 51. I dont think I will go with BS's again. I found some Uniroyla's with 51 psi max for under 80 bucks each. Also still pondering the Avon 500 M/S. And man do those Micky's cost! I will buy cheap priced tires from Tire Rack. But wouldnt buy a high dollar tire from them. There road Hazard program sucks. So if I go with something like the Micky's I will purchase local.

Phil

I would like for the Civic to corner better than it does. I take some corners that make Xcels death turn look like childs play. The Civic can get some lean angle going. The current tires keep it hooked up well enough for this stuff. Sometimes I wish it would drift out alittle. The concern is the darn body roll. ESP. if my Im makeing a hard right. My fat arse seems to help with getting her to roll over. Keeping the car flatter would be nice. :)

As far as intake and exhaust mods on the Civic. It would be a total waist of time and money. There is 7 to 10 hp to be found with some tuning. And about 2 foot lbs of torque. If it was the other way around I would be on it. More grunt down low in the tach would be nice. But hp on the top end is near useless.

The search goes on....

psy

Re. improved cornering, our experience in the Volvo groups is that upgraded anti-sway bars are the way to go. I wouldn't be surprised if it's similar for most other cars.

The rear-drive Volvos have stock sway bars front and rear - my guess is that most (all?) other modern cars do also. The upgraded bars are thicker and allow less lean. With less lean, more weight is applied to the inner tires, which normally becomes partially unweighted in the lean. With the load more evenly distributed to all tires, traction is improved.

The ride is a bit stiffer over bumps with upgraded anti-sway bars but those of us who want the improved handling are often willing to accept a bit stiffer ride.

i received a rear sway bar for the holidays. It makes a big difference in cornering at high speeds. The best part about it installed in 10 min. A must have for the scion xb.

Here are the tires on the Civic right now. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Turanza+EL400-02&partnum=055HR6EL400V2&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=124&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&minSpeedRating=H

I'm starting to feel the love with these. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Exclaim+UHP&partnum=055VR6EUHP&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=68&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&minSpeedRating=H

These tires have also caught my attention. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Avon&tireModel=Tech+M550+A%2FS&partnum=055WR6M550&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=1&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&minSpeedRating=H


To get into a RE92 for the Civic with a 51 psi max sidewall. I have to go to a RE92A. I'm not getting a warm fuzzy feeling with these at all.http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE92A&partnum=055VR6RE92A&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=25&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&minSpeedRating=H

As for a wheel up grade these are the ones if I pull a trigger on new wheels. http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=KZV050S&wheelMake=Kazera&wheelModel=KZ-V&wheelFinish=Silver+w%2FMachined+Lip&showRear=no&i1_Qty=4&autoMake=Honda&autoModel=Civic+EX+Sedan&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=&filterSize=All&filterFinish=All&filterSpecial=false&filterBrand=All&sort=Brand They are a 17"x7" wheel. And 2 lbs. lighter than the OEM's. But tire weight goes back up. :( Sure do like the looks of these wheels over the OEM tho. The Avon's and General's do come in this size.

The HFP suspension kit is on sale at College Hill Honda right now for $480.00. http://www.collegehillshonda.com/storeart/8thgencoupe/hfpsuspension.jpg

With some research I've found out that a Civic Si rear sway bar does wonders for the handling of the sedan. Results are much like putting a TL rear sway on a Accord. Hardware shipping and all its about a $70.00 mod if that much. Adding the Si sway to the front seems to have bad effects. Which the require a after market rear sway.

I suppose the best way to do this would be to stick with the OEM wheels. Get some new shoes on them. Drop it with HFP and stick the rear sway bar on it.

Anyway,,, this is were my heads at right now concerning the tires and other bits hidden under the car and wheel wells....

psy

There is a $100 per tire price difference between the RE92 and RE92A. It takes a whole lot of miles with a little less rolling resistance to make up a $400 difference...

Besides, a few of us with the RE92s run them at 60 PSI without any negative effects.