Got a pretty stupid idea. Hear me out. Since they don't seem to make taller gears for '95-'99 Maximas (I believe the final drive ratio is 3.82:1), why not put smaller tires in front? I know it's gonna **** up my speedometer but I'll get it recalibrated later.

Now, since I want it to make a pretty significant difference, I'd leave the same size for the rear (26.2 inches stock, I believe). They make 22.7 inch tires that would fit on my rims, so, hey, why not? 26.2 divided by 22.7 gives us 1.154. Which would mean that it'd be the equivalent of having 4.40:1 gears instead of 3.82:1. That seems pretty significant.

Now I know it wouldn't be too good for looks, but if I drop it alot, it might look okay. What about it? Would it improve my 1/4 mile times significantly?

 

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it would if you could keep enough traction to take advantage of the gearing and it wouldnt place you in the next highest gear at the end of the 1/4.

so in the end.. its iffy. its not something id drop a lot of money on, but if someone you know has some tires near that size they'll let you borrow for a day, by all means go for it and find out.

 

Are you an auto or 5-spd?

What mods do you have?

You will have to shift into 4th if you are stock, which you wouldn't have to do otherwise - so you would lose some time there, and negate the benefit of going with a shorter tire. However if you are modded to where you have to shift into 4th with stock tire diameter, then it could help you.

 

Last year I ran a smaller diam (24.6") all around with 215/45/16 Azenis. Combined with the Maxima's oversized fenders the look isn't that appealing.

One problem is with the different sizes front/rear is the ABS can trip because the speed sensors don't match. Also as far as the drag, I found not only did I have to shift to 4th, but I was also at like over 5000rpm as I crossed the line. Way beyond the USIM power band.

 

5-speed. For now it's stock. But eventually I guess I'll get enough power not to have to shift in 4th. But really, 3.82 to 4.40 must be one hell of an improvement, especially if I get those 13.5 pound Kosei racing rims.

For example, if I'm going 5700 rpm with the stock tires, with the smaller ones I'd get 6580 rpm.

 

Oh, and BTW, I was thinking about leaving the 26.2" in the rear and getting the smaller ones (22.7") in the front. So looks wouldn't be that much of a problem, since small tires in the rear would be ugly (Echo, anyone? lol), but I'd leave them there. Small ones in front aren't bad...

BEJAY, did it make a noticable difference in acceleration? How much tenths did you gain in the quarter mile. And what size are your original tires?

 

Would smaller tires in front be a problem if I keep larger ones in the rear, street wise?

 

Except that with a USM you are making "no power" at redline... you'd have to shift into 4th to maintain the pull... and as BEJAY1 said, even in 4th you are starting to choke at that high a RPM.

Don't worry about the smaller tires for now... not worth it for you. You will end up disappointed. Get some mods (or MEVI hehe) then you won't have to care how high the RPMs go because the higher the better!

 

They don't have to be be 4" smaller, I'll calculate the perfect height later. But can anyone think of a disadvantage of smaller tires overall if their height is chosen not to have to kill my top speed?

 

well if you get some small rims get them for racing only, anything smaller then 15 inch on a maxima looks like total sh.it

I'd say get 2 small tires but get them wide and with drags, then be sure to use them for the track ONLY!

 

I actually lost a tenth running em. 60's were identical 2.20sec. Original tires doesn't apply as I've got 4-5 different sets.

 

Arent the gears you talking about SHORTER? Taller is for cruising at 90 mph at 2000 rpm.

And it's not a stupid question because I've often thought about it, but have heard of some 5spd guys losing MPH in the traps because of it, but gaining in their 60' times.

 

I could care less about mph. My dad drag races and when the ET is quicker and the MPH is lower, it's because the track conditions are better; AKA you spin less.

I was thinking of getting 15 inch Kosei racing wheels (13.5 lbs) and staying with 26.2" in the back with 22.7" in front, both on 15-inchers. I'll lower the car more in front.

BTW, Bejay, the front of the car looks pretty good with small tires, like on your pic, it's the back end that's ugly with smaller ones. So I'll keep 'em normal sized in the back.

>>Original tires doesn't apply as I've got 4-5 different sets.<<

What size where the tires you ran the best ET with?

 

I would say you spin more w/ smaller tires. . . . . .

 

BTW, today I was severly bored (work at a gas station) and decided to try something. I took out my spare tire and found another one nearly identical (treads were different) in our tire racks. I put 'em on in the front and just tried them for the hell of it in the empty parking lot behind the garage.

The result? Well, although they can't get **** to the ground (spin is tremendous), the car pulls alot more, at least in first and second gear...

>>I would say you spin more w/ smaller tires. . .<<

I didn't say the opposite. He ran 11.07 at 122 with slight spin (1973 firebird), and 10.95 at 120.80 with considerably better traction. That happens often. When you spin you lose time but the mph is higher. Go figure.

 

Did you just contradict yourself?

 

No. I never said you spin less with smaller tires. I said your acceleration is better IF you can get some traction.

 

I guess I just misunderstood. Are drag radials smaller diameter? If so, perfect combo, smaller dia., and good traction.

 

Yeah I was thinking of getting 22-inch M/T slicks but I still want small ones for the street (to get used to shifting about as quickly). I guess traction will always be an issue on the street, but despite the wheel spin I really felt like it was pulling more with two spare tires on lol... they probably make tires with fair traction for street use.

 

205/50-15 = 23.1" total dia. Compared to 25" with 215/60-15 If i remember correctly someone has already tried this (205/50-15)tire size

 

Someone mentioned the ABS. Wouldnt change the ABS. ABS only reads moving wheel or stopped wheel. If at least one wheel is moving while the others are stopped ABS is tripped.

Seems logical but thats not how ABS works

 

I dont think anyone talked about ABS, just stay with 15" wheels minimally because the rotor wont fit under anything smaller, and even if they did, the wheelspin would be even more tremendous because of the subtracted mass.

 

My 225/50R15 BFG Drag Radials are 23.2" tall. This is how they look on my Maxima with H&R springs and 17s in the rear. Hello 4X4



Yes, it improves my gearing. I tapped 7000rpm in 3rd right at the finish my last time at the track. Prior to the DRs, I was only attaining 6600rpm in 3rd with the stock 25.0" tires.

If you have the stock intake manifold, there's no need for shorter tires. The goal of improving gearing is to be crossing the line just after or at peak power. With the stock intake manifold, you should be crossing the finish at ~5300rpms in 4th which is pretty damn close to ideal.

 

How much did you gain in the 1/4 mile by going from stock street tires to smaller slicks? Exactly?

And how did you original run, completely bone stock?

 

you seem pretty dead set on sticking smaller tires on the front, so why not get them and try it. if you are looking for someone who has run a completely stock 5spd and compared the stock tire size to running a much smaller tire size, and did so under conditions consistent enough to actually get a real comparison, i don't think you're going to find one. most people do mods before they start messing with their tire size, because what might work for you at a certain power level could totally screw you when you get to a different power level. get to your desired power level i say, and then work on gearing the car optimally for that power level, not the other way around.

 

Good point. Are you running on smaller tires at 13.43? Slicks, I assume, but very impressive considering it's N/A. Did the suspension mods help alot? (I DID check the newbie FAQ, btw)

I was considering getting them only for the 2005 season. I just bought the car (ran a 15.09 two weeks ago). But yeah I'll probably save the cash and spend a hell of a ****ing lot next Spring-Summer. Was just curious.

And by the way, anyone thinks a 12.9 is possible N/A? (lots of $$ I know but still...)

 

actually the slicks were larger than stock, which i did on purpose (going back to my suggestion to get to your desired power level and then adapt your tire size to that). i ran a larger slick so that i did not have to throw an extra shift into the 1/4 mile (running 3rd gear out instead of shifting into 4th when im 150 feet from the finish line.)

i have run tires that were stock size (235-45-17) and aout 6% shorter, and the difference i saw was negligable. i.e. the difference from one run to another was as large or larger than the difference i saw by changing the tire size. though you must understand these runs were not made on the same days, and frankly i've been to the track so many times that the days run together so i dont remember what the specific atmospheric conditions were. the difference in size you are suggesting though is far more extreme, so you might see a difference that i did not.

and yes i do think a 12.9 NA is possible for people who are willing to go further than I was n/a. i was just using typical bolts, slicks, decent driving, and good track conditions. i had hit a plateau, and i had to make a choice to start spending some serious cash on n/a mods (cams, porting the heads, possible higher compression, headers, etc) or spend some serious cash on forced induction and be faster than would ever be possible if i were to stay n/a. i chose forced induction.

 

Oh and yes there is a different final drive ratio available for the maxima... there was a thread about it probably 6 or 8 months ago. We use the same transmission as the nissan altima, and there is a company out there that has made different final drives for our transmission. I can't search though so it would need to be searched for by someone with that ability.

 

Damn. I can't search either. Anyone can help?

 

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