Tire sizing question for racing
 

I'm getting a set of tires for the upcoming MADS event, and the coming autox season. I've pretty much settled on the Yokohama A032R's in 225/50 16 for the front and maybe the rear also, though I'm considering the 245/45's for the rear. I use that setup with my Dunlop SP8000's for the street. I'm sorta leaning towards the 225's all around since it's cheaper and will add a touch of oversteer (car currently does understeer a bit at autox as 2nd gens are wont to do)

Anybody have any input? I'm also sort of considering the khumo ecsta racing tires since they're a bit cheaper, though only by $40 a set at tire rack

Gene,

Most every person that races an RX-7 uses the 225-50 on all corners. Since we are limited to 15" wheels, everyone runs on a 15X7 wheel. I would put the same size everywhere. If you have a set of 15" wheels, you might consider using them as well....lower the gear ratio for better corner exit speed.

Dave

I've actually got a set of the 16" T2 wheels that I got from a junkyard for $200 with tires. The tires are cheesy but they were good for the winter, so now I'm gonna yank them and put on racing tires, which was the plan all along. I'd love a set of TE37's but I can't justify the cost. I was thinking about grabbing a set of the 15's but they wouldn't clear the big brake kit if I bought that... :) Thanks for the input tho

I have no real first hand experience (except one event on some used Kuhmos what a difference from my street tires!) but the conventional wisdom around here (atlanta region Solo2) seems to be that the Hoosiers are the best choice for grip but the Kuhmos last longer and cost less. I can't think of anyone running the Yokohamas...

Cory Waters

i think you are better off with good street tires then 32r's for auto-x... they can't heat up in the 60 secs of driving.

and I wouldn't use 245's on a 7" wide rim

The hoosiers are pricey. I know the yok's won't heat up much at autox, but I want to do track schools on them too and don't want them to blow up. Street tires are not as good as even a cold racing tire for autox... In an ideal world I'd have some super sticky autox tires AND some harder track tires, but that's too much money... I've seen some people running the 32's at autox, and they do ok with them <shrugs>

If you're definately going to have track time as well at autocross, then the 032R's are a good choice. they do pretty good at autox and they are able to endure track days without desintigrating. If you're really on a tight budget, you may want to look into the newer Kuhmo race compound - Ecsta V700. They're ~$10 less than the Yok's.

Another tire you might want to look at is the Toyo Proxy RA-1. It's also an outstanding dual duty (track/autox) tire that will offer long tread life.

I've had Kuhmos and BFG R1s. Definitely Kuhmos for autox. Hoosiers is too much $ for me

yeah I've seen the newer khumo race compound, and I like that it's reversable to the left and right side (unlike the older khumos apparently) Does anyone have any experience with those (probably not since they're new)

if you want sticky tires, get yourself some hoosiers

I've read that they stick just a good, but the sidewalls aren't quite as stiff as the Victoracer. This could slighly decrease your turn-in response if you're using a tire wider than the wheel.

Too much things you didn't mention to offer a proper response...

What is your driving skill level?&nbsp What are your past experiences with other tires?

The 225 front/245 rear option is actually surprisingly balanced for the beginner - race tires notwitstanding.

Toyo RA-1's are excellent tires for the money, but these are mainly for beginners.&nbsp Their advantage is one set will probably last you the entire season; these have a harder compound than most dedicated race tires.&nbsp Another plus is you can use them on the street.

A032R's are an intermediate type of race tire.&nbsp I've heard of people loving them, but the higher skilled drivers don't.

The Hoosiers is a full race tires that has all the features and design of being the BEST tire you can buy short of a full-on race slick.&nbsp Pluses are very light weight, but don't expect these to last for the whole year.&nbsp I'd expect you to buy at least TWO sets to last the whole year.&nbsp And, yes, they are expensive.

B.F. Goodrich G-Force/KDW (or whatever they are called now) used to be the tire everyone liked.&nbsp These slot higher than the Toyo RA-1's, but under the Yokohama A032R's.



-Ted

What's the pricing like on the Goodrich G-Force/KDW's?

I'm looking for a set of aggressive streat tires (17x7.5" rims). Any recommendations? (Might start doing the occasional autocross in a few months)

What's the pricing like on the Goodrich G-Force/KDW's?

I'm looking for a set of aggressive streat tires (17x7.5" rims). Any recommendations? (Might start doing the occasional autocross in a few months). The car is a 1990 NA --> TII conversion

Shoots, looks like the supply dried up. :(

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....orce+T%2FA+R1A

As for "aggressive" street tires for your 17x7.5, I would recommend Falken Azenis tires.&nbsp They are really nicely prices ~$100 per tire from Discount Tire and have had very good reviews by owners.



-Ted

My experience level.... I've been autoxing for 2 years, the first year in my shitty eclipse 1.8L with goony 14" tires (pretty wide though at 205), and this year I ran my T2 with the SP8000 setup in 225 front and 245 rear. I'm probably going to go with the Yokohama setup, since I don't want to pay so much for some hoosiers that won't even last all season, (good and sticky as they may be!) and I want something quasi-streetable so I can be lazy and drive to autox on them. Plus they'll probably hold up to track school abuse better than the hoosiers will...

thanks for the input everyone :)

gene, how u fit 225s in front with no problem, waht offset?

get Kuhmos if u plan to drive to the track, but they dont last long. for autox, yokohamas are useless