The problem I see with "solving" the problem with compound is that compound has a tradeoff.. in daily livability and wear. No way I'd want to run around on R-compounds all day, or replace a set of gumballs every 3-5k.

The larger wheel/tire size allows you to run a TRUE high performance street tire and reap all of the other benefits in ride quality, wet performance, wear, noise, etc. Plus, larger wheels look better. I like a "stock look" as much as the next guy, but even '96+ RX7's came with 17's... you could even look into some of the later Mazda OE wheels... but I'd just pick out a nice, inderstated, good looking set of upgrades.

Like I said, even from the factory, nothing with 360 hp comes with 16x8/225 rubber.

 

If this is a street car go wheel shopping for 275 or 285 fitments.

T1s tires are some of the best street tires available.

Even street/track r compounds mentioned as having good traction will puncture easily and pic up anything loose and toss it against your car or the next guys windshield. Not to mention you'll be buying tires every 3k miles. Even good street tires won't last much longer than 7k miles when you have 300 plus rwhp and you're using it.

If it's not a street car then just get some slicks.

 

You guys realize that R-compound rubber only really retains it's properties for X amount of heat cycles, and thus will be hard well before the tread is gone with street use... never mind that they are intended to be used HOT, and thus may offer LESS traction in colder weather, or if you haven't gotten them up to temp.

Stick with a street tire that's meant for street use.

 

as far as grip goes, my T1R's grabbed hard enough for me to destroy my rear end at the track one night. That aside the thought of buying a tire only for looks is absurd, though like someone else said usually the better performance the more aggressive the tire looks. Here's what I have now and the performance is amazing!

 

New wheels and tires really wake up the car if you put wider tires out back. Running 275s on 17 inch rims will alter the ratio a bit and if you run even a decent tire like the Yoko ES100s you will be amazed with the traction. I run this setup out back and even with 400 ft-lbs of torque the grip is fantastic for a tire that's only about $125. Of course first gear can waste the tires but once I hit second it hooks at full throttle. Night and day compared to most anything avaiable on the stock rim.

I also ran this tire in 255 width at stock tire height with my old 435 rwhp rotary turbo setup and the grip was awesome. Now with the V8 I needed a wider contact patch and a bit less gear ratio out back so I went with the 275s. The ES100s have about the widest contact patch for their stated tread width and the results are great for a low price tire, haven't found any tire to compete with them on a bang for the buck basis.

 

^^^^^

Note, that's a picture of the Toyo R888... which is their new R-compound track tire (like the RA1). The T1R is a true street tire, like the T1S.... They probably shouldn't have put R in the name.

 

fritz any nice looking rims for sale?

 

They're nice tires, but very expensive. I had heard good things about them and couldn't find much I liked in the size I needed, so I decided to try them. 10K miles now and they barely look worn despite constant abuse. Very civilized tire in terms of comfort/noise, but good grip all-around and excellent in the wet. They just don't get quite as sticky as some when you really heat them up, but great for street use.

I'm hoping Bridgestone comes out with RE01R in my size soon. Until then, I'm trying Kumho MX next time and save a boatload of money. That is if these PS2s ever wear out.

 

i am thinking kumhos mx's. problem is i would have to go back to 225s....yikes! that doesnt work.but if they can hold zinx's 500rwhp with 255s out back u never know. plus they are reasonable

 

how do 17inch rims effect gearing....ultimately 1/4 times (curious)?

are after market 17inch rims much heavier then stock?

what do u guys like in terms of rims? what do u think of ssr's?..are these a good rim or cheapies? Sorry guys not too educated in terms of rims.

gram lights are rice...no? just askling i really have no clue.

i like goodfellas rims....so if u can recommend something like those.....but no chrome except for the lip.

 

Good reading here:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ht=final+drive

and

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ht=final+drive

 

Oh poor you. Must be the first thing on your mind every morning when you wake up...."Man, what am I going to do to make that 500hp monster in my garage stick."

I bet everyone wishes they had your problem.

 

Thanks for the feedback Cgotto6 pretty much said the same (about 'em getting a bit "greasy" as he described when hot). Prob is, when you start going wider, you don't really have much choice (PS2s, Pirelli PZero Rossos, or BFGoodrich g-Force T/A Drag Radials, and that's about it).