With power being the limiting factor (outside of driving skill ) for me due to lack of traction, I'm thinking of putting race rubber on 17x9F and 17x10R CCWs.

I'm just wondering if any autocrossers are running staggered, and how much it truly affects the handling. I'm aware of the push towards oversteer when staggered, but I'm interested in hearing from anyone who is actually running staggered at events regularly, and whether changing the handling feel is worth the extra grip.

-E

 

Same size all around for me...

 

Thanks for the reply Sleep.

Just got off the phone with John at CCW. He's suggesting (as he did with Max), that I go 18x10 on all four corners.

This would definitely work out as far as the handling goes, but now I'm wondering (and he brought it up) whether I want the extra sidewall that the 17s would get me.

Also, the 18" setup isn't necessarily very street friendly, if I ever wanted to mount something besides race rubber on them.

Any further thoughts from any autoxers about staggered vs. even setups, experiences w/ 17s vs. 18s, and finally anyone using CCWs for autox on your FDs.

-E

 

I use stock wheels and 245/45/16 tires for autox pretty sucessfully, Top Time last event with ~150 cars. I have a gearing advantage over the larger setups and cost advantage too.

Jeff

 

I'm considering this too, but my power will benefit greatly from the extra 30 to 40mm I'll get out of 10" wide wheels. It's hard to pass that up, if I'm going to have to be paying for another set of wheels anyway (although an extra set of stockers is much cheaper )

-E

p.s. Good job on the 1st place finish. Sounds like you're a hell of a driver. I'm just barely average, and I'm running against at least 4 or 5 former national champions. I'll take all the help I can get!

 

E, you should probably go with race rubber first on some stockers. It'll give you a better feel for how your car will respond with the extra grip. If you feel it's not enough, then go banzai with the wheels and such. (I'll be more than happy to burn off the race rubber for you ...) I'm in the same boat, but the price of 17" wheels and 17" race rubber keeps me thinking about it instead of actually doing it.

BTW, running staggered will actually dial in more understeer. That's not so bad, especially for your case with all that "excessive" HP ( ) ... you can correct for it by standing on the gas. But, if you do decide to get the CCW's ... can I 'rent' them for a weekend that you're not using them?

-Don

 

Heh. D'oh! Wrong "steer". Always do that.

And yes, you're more than welcome to get a couple of nice "rental runs" out of them at some A&M events I'm not in attendance at...if I decide to splurge.

It's so damn tempting. Know anyone who wants an Audi for $32K? I can daily drive my FD, or buy a POS for $2K or something.

-E

p.s. I figured you'd find this thread soon or later.

 

what model/year/mileage is the audi..?

 

2001 S4, fully loaded sport package w/ SSR Competition wheels, Bilstein shocks/springs, and 17K miles.

Want it?