the stock tire size on a 1996 hatch is a 175/70/13 and the best 15" size seems to be 195/50/15 with the least diff

but for the other models 97-00, their stock size is 185/65/14 and the best 15" size seems to be 195/55/15

when you size them to 15" the two don't match up. is this due to a difference in the way the speedos are calibrated? as far as i know the vehicle calculates its speed throught the VSS in the tranny, does this change when you swap your motor or anything?

 

I do believe that the motor swap could play a part in tire size. Either way your speedo won't a 100% on the dot. I've found that almost every car is showing 5% over the actual speed, according to the GPS.

Just my 2 cents. I don't really know of the exact tires sizes. I let the shop figure that out.

 

Great tool - Tire size calculator

put in your stock tire and look at the numbers
I belive 195/50r15 is the size you should go with. it is the closet to stock. the 55 seris is way off.

50


55

 

nice find on the tire tool