legendaryhero7

Hey all, just a quick check if these tires will fit on my 91 RS. I looked around on Google, and it seems like they should, but I figured getting another opinion wouldn't hurt!

At the moment I'm running 215/65r15 tires, but I can get a pretty good deal for some snow tires that are 205/70r15T (does the T matter?).

Anywho, I appreciate the assistance.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

The T is the speed rating(T = 118 mph). They would fit (might be slightly taller than stock size, but you'd be downgrading your cars performance. I would not go smaller than the stock size, plus they would look a little strange.

legendaryhero7

Thanks RedLeader. When you say it'll downgrade the performance, what type of performance are you talking about? Just power/mileage, or something else? I'm more worried about traction than anything else, in these cold Montana winters haha.

Thanks for your help!

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

You're welcome!

I'm talking about traction/putting power to the road and handling. A 205 tire is about 1/2 an inch narrower than a 215 tire. That's 2 inches of rubber all around that's no longer on the road. Granted, it's not MUCH but it is a downgrade. Make sense?

205's were the standard size for 14" tires when they used to put those out on cars.

legendaryhero7

Ah okay, yes that makes perfect sense! So would 215/70R15 tires be better? That's the same width, but taller right? I have stock suspension, nothing lower than normal.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Cool. 215/70R15 are truck tires. They may fit in the back but would be way too tall for the front. The size you have now, 215/65r15 is your best bet.

I know it doesn't sound like much of a difference, but the 70 series is 2 inches taller than the 65.
The way those numbers work is that the first number, 215, is the tread width in mm. The middle number, 65, is the aspect ratio and is used to determine the sidewall height. so on your current tires it means that the sidewall is 65% of the tread width( .65 x 215 = 139.75 mm). If you take your sidewallx2 and add in the rim diameter you get the total height, which, in stock form is 26". A 215/70R15 is 28", which is fine for the rear but too tall in the front.

Honestly you'll be hardpressed with any tire on these cars in the snow, light rear + rear wheel drive = stuck lol.

legendaryhero7

Wow okay, that makes even more sense. I didn't realize how much that would change the height!

It's very true about being stuck. Thankfully I've only been once or twice these past 4 years, since I lived fairly close to my work/college. But now I live about 20 miles from work, so I figure I should put on something better than my all-season tires.

Haha I really appreciate your help on this! I almost sounds like I'm SOL when it comes to getting any size different.. But for some reason, the stock 215/65r15s are always either out of stock or more than anything else in the same region.

Last question for tire fitment, a 215/60R15.. I know that's an inch shorter than stock, but would it be an acceptable fit? What other sizes could be a decent exchange?

Thanks again for all of your help, I'd be making some terrible decisions if it weren't for you lol.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

I've been there man, that's why I'm glad for such an awesome forum like this!

A 215/60R15 would work, you may not enjoy the extra space that you'd notice between the tire and fender though, but that's a personal thing.
I've never been to Montana but I know around my area there are plenty of places (such as Ken Towery's, Big O tire, etc) that carry tires in the 215/65R15 size. You can also try sites like tirerack.com.

You could try a staggered look, perhaps something like a 215/65 up front and a 245/60R15 on the rear(if you can find them). You could also do 235/60R15's all around. These are all with the stock 15x7 rim.

I run 215/65R15's on the front (15x7) and 275/65R15's on the rear (15x8).

If you could just find a set of junker rims for the winter and mount some all-terrains or something on them in one of those sizes it might help? not sure.

legendaryhero7

Thats a good idea, and thanks for the recommendations.

I'm going to head over to my junk yard today, and see if they have any old wheels that'll fit. I know I've got to match the bolt pattern (5x120.65), and the center bore (70.3), but is there anything else that I need to match? I'm guessing I should keep it either a 15 or 16 inch wheel, haha.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Glad to help.

Yeah, a safe bet is to find rims off of either another thirdgen, an S10 blazer or Jimmy, or an S10 (or the gmc equivalent) pick up. 15 or 16 inch will give your more (cheaper) tire options for sure, haha.

legendaryhero7

lol perfect, thanks! Now you've peaked my interests and I might have to see if I can find anything bigger. With a little looking around the site, it seems like I can get some 17x8s-9s or maybe even 18x9s, without changing suspsension? I wont get my hopes up though, haha.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

You're most welcome! Be sure to post some pics when you get it all straightened out, interested to see what you come up with!