Six months later and I am getting more serious about purchasing a car and I am shopping for a 2002-2004 Type-S. As mentioned last year, the early cars have a taller 4.39 final drive versus the 4.77 gear in the 2005+ models. Usually the shorter gearing is preferred, but maximum speed in second gear is important and most consider 60 mph to be appropriate for lower powered cars.
Wearing the 23" tall 225/45-15 tire, the early RSX has the same mph@rpm as the later models using a 25" tall 225/45-17 tire, and both top out second gear at 61 mph at 8600 rpm (fudge factor included).
Combine the 15" tire with the newer cars 4.77 final drive and you limit second gear to 55 mph which means using third gear on most courses. Put the 17" tires on the early tall-geared cars and second gear zings up to nearly 66 mph but the engine may not be in it's happy spot. Best or both worlds would be a risky 9100+ rpm limiter combined with the 4.77 gearbox and 15" tires for a calculated solid 60 mph second gear.
Other tire sizes are available, most notably the 24" tall 225/16 Dunlop Z2 and some similar sized 205 and 215 widths across most brands, but I think it is wise to keep as much rubber as allowed by the rules and stay with the 225. The 24" size could be the hot ticket with nearly 58 mph in the 05+ car but limited availability and brand choices kill this idea.
Benefits to using the smaller 15" setup is reduced COG and less weight and rolling mass, however the 17" tire would have a larger contact patch. Cost is also a consideration and the smaller wheels and tires are usually less expensive.
http://precisionsite.com/auto-x/tools/
But wait, will the 15" wheels fit over the Type-S brakes? From what I have read, some wheels will fit, but offset and spoke design is critical to clear the face of the caliper. The Rota Slipstream 15x8 +40 has been verified to fit. A 7.5" wide wheel in the same offset may require some caliper grinding or wheel spacers, possibly both.
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