The 1991 Acura NSX arrived as a landmark Japanese sports car, blending exotic mid-engine layout, aluminum-intensive engineering, and everyday drivability in a way that reset expectations for the segment. Its tire fitment reflects that focused chassis balance, with a staggered radial setup using 205/50R15 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. That means the key decision is not choosing between multiple general fitments, but confirming front-versus-rear placement and selecting the right tire within the correct size. For owners preserving the NSX’s original character or preparing it for careful road use, matching the proper size, wheel diameter, and overall tire intent matters as much as brand choice.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1991 Acura NSX
The 1991 Acura NSX uses two primary tire sizes, and they are position-specific rather than interchangeable. The front uses a 205/50R15 radial on a 15-inch rim, while the rear uses a 225/50R16 radial on a 16-inch rim. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming whether you are replacing the front or rear pair, since the wheel diameter and size format change with position.
205/50R15 is a metric radial size in which 205 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, R designates radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1991 Acura NSX, this size is used at the front, where maintaining the intended wheel diameter and front-specific fitment is essential. Its lower-profile metric format reflects the NSX’s modern performance-car layout rather than an earlier bias-ply or alphanumeric sizing system. Choose this size when replacing the front tires and confirm that the wheel remains the original 15-inch front setup before making a selection.
225/50R16 is a metric radial size with a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 1991 Acura NSX, this is the rear tire size, so it should be selected only for the rear wheel position. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich and Michelin products, all in blackwall form, with differences in tire series and rim-width compatibility that can matter during selection. This is the size to evaluate when replacing rear tires and preserving the NSX’s staggered front-to-rear setup.
Fitment on the 1991 Acura NSX is straightforward in one sense and specialized in another: the covered configuration uses a staggered setup with one size for the front and another for the rear. Checking the exact wheel position matters because front and rear tire sizes, and rim diameters, are different.
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1991 Acura NSX Base Front
The 1991 Acura NSX Base Front uses a 205/50R15 radial tire on a 15-inch wheel. That makes front-tire selection mostly a matter of preserving the proper front fitment and confirming the wheel has not been changed from the original-diameter setup.
The 1991 Acura NSX Base Rear uses a 225/50R16 radial tire on a 16-inch wheel. Rear-tire selection should focus on the correct rear size, the intended wheel width, and choosing among the available blackwall radial options in this fitment.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1991 Acura NSX Tires for Sale
Available 225/50R16 choices for the 1991 Acura NSX include BFGoodrich and Michelin radial performance tires. The current selection is blackwall-only, with differences in tire series, weight, and rim-width compatibility that are worth comparing for the rear fitment.
Owners researching 1991 Acura NSX tires usually need to confirm the staggered front and rear sizes first, then sort through wheel-diameter fitment, available rear-tire brands and series, and practical checks before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1991 Acura NSX?
The 1991 Acura NSX uses a staggered radial setup with 205/50R15 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. Those are two different primary sizes, and they serve different wheel positions on the car rather than representing interchangeable alternatives.
That means tire selection starts with identifying whether the replacement is for the front axle or the rear axle. The front uses a 15-inch rim and the rear uses a 16-inch rim, so confirming wheel position and actual wheel diameter is essential before choosing a tire, especially if the car has ever had aftermarket wheels installed.
What size rim does a 1991 Acura NSX use?
The 1991 Acura NSX uses two rim diameters as part of its original staggered tire fitment. The front tire size, 205/50R15, mounts on a 15-inch rim, while the rear tire size, 225/50R16, mounts on a 16-inch rim.
Because the car uses different wheel diameters front to rear, the correct tire cannot be chosen by model year alone without also confirming position. A quick check of the actual wheel diameter is smart on any NSX that has changed hands over the years, since replacement wheels can alter both the required tire size and the available clearance.
Why does the 1991 Acura NSX have more than one tire size?
The 1991 Acura NSX has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered setup, with a narrower 205/50R15 tire in front and a wider 225/50R16 tire in the rear. This is a position-specific arrangement rather than a case of optional sizes for the same wheel location.
For the owner, that means the first step is always determining which end of the car needs tires. The front and rear sizes differ in both width and rim diameter, so mixing up the fitments can create obvious installation problems. Keeping the intended front-to-rear sizing relationship also helps preserve the way the chassis was set up to operate.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 225/50R16 tire for a 1991 Acura NSX?
Start with the basics: 225/50R16 is the rear size for the 1991 Acura NSX, and it belongs on a 16-inch rear wheel. Beyond size, available choices differ by brand, tire series, weight, and rim-width compatibility, even though they share radial construction and a blackwall sidewall style.
The practical comparison comes down to how closely the tire matches your wheel and how you use the car. A stock-style road car may call for a different decision than an NSX with changed wheels or a more aggressive driving role. Checking wheel width, overall condition, and rear clearance before purchase keeps the selection process grounded.
What brands offer tires for the 1991 Acura NSX?
For the 1991 Acura NSX rear size of 225/50R16, available tires include BFGoodrich and Michelin. The BFGoodrich choices appear in more than one g-Force series, while Michelin is represented by the Pilot Sport series, giving the owner several recognizable performance-oriented radial options to compare.
Brand alone should not make the decision. It is smarter to compare the exact size, the intended wheel-width range, the tire series, and how the car will actually be driven. On a low-mile collector NSX, consistency between the pair of rear tires and compatibility with the existing wheel setup matter just as much as the name on the sidewall.
What tire series are available for the 1991 Acura NSX?
In the 1991 Acura NSX rear size of 225/50R16, the available tire series include BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2, BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS, and Michelin Pilot Sport. All are radial blackwall tires, but the series names help distinguish the choices within the same basic fitment.
That makes series comparison useful when narrowing the field, especially if you want to match the car’s intended use. Some owners prioritize keeping the NSX ready for occasional fair-weather driving, while others focus on broader street use. The right series still needs to align with the correct rear size and the actual wheel dimensions on the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1991 Acura NSX?
A period-style approach to a 1991 Acura NSX starts with preserving its staggered radial fitment: 205/50R15 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. Since this NSX uses modern metric radial sizing rather than older bias-ply formats, staying with the correct front and rear dimensions is the foundation of a restoration-minded tire decision.
Appearance still matters, but the first restoration concern is maintaining the proper proportions and wheel diameters. For owners aiming at a historically faithful presentation, it helps to compare the visible sidewall profile and overall look of the chosen tires against period photos, marque-club guidance, and the car’s existing wheel setup rather than relying on size alone.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1991 Acura NSX restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1991 Acura NSX restoration because the car’s original presentation depends on a staggered front-and-rear setup, not a one-size-fits-all arrangement. Using the proper 205/50R15 front and 225/50R16 rear sizes helps preserve the intended stance, wheel relationship, and overall visual balance of the car.
Restoration-minded owners should also remember that a tire can be the right general size yet still look wrong if the wheel diameter, wheel width, or sidewall proportions have been altered. A careful check of the actual wheels on the car is worthwhile, especially on an NSX that may have worn aftermarket wheels during part of its life.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1991 Acura NSX?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1991 Acura NSX. The car already uses different front and rear sizes, so any change in wheel diameter, wheel width, offset, ride height, or suspension geometry can alter what works without rubbing or clearance issues.
A modified NSX should be checked as an individual car rather than assumed to match stock fitment. Measuring the actual wheel sizes and inspecting clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering range is especially important before replacing tires. Even when staying close to the original 205/50R15 front and 225/50R16 rear sizes, the wheel setup can change the outcome.
What should I inspect before driving a 1991 Acura NSX on new tires?
Before driving a 1991 Acura NSX on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the front and rear tires are mounted in the correct positions, and check inflation pressure carefully. It is also wise to look over the suspension, alignment condition, and valve stems so the new tires are not compromised by an existing mechanical issue.
After installation, give the car a cautious first drive and watch for vibration, pulling, or any sign of contact under steering or suspension movement. On a collector car that may sit for long periods, also inspect the older tires being removed for irregular wear or age-related cracking, since those signs can point to issues worth correcting now.
What should I check before a longer drive in a 1991 Acura NSX?
Before a longer drive in a 1991 Acura NSX, confirm that the correct staggered tires are installed, check pressure when the tires are cold, and inspect tread and sidewalls for cuts, bulges, or cracking. A quick look at wheel hardware, brake condition, and fluid levels also makes sense on a performance car that may not be driven daily.
Longer trips place more attention on consistency and condition than a short local drive. An NSX that has spent time in storage deserves an extra check for flat spotting, slow air loss, or age-related deterioration, even if tread depth appears fine. Catching those issues early helps avoid turning a routine drive into a roadside problem.
