I compete in an autocross series here in Toronto that has no restrictions as to tire size or wheel size/offset. Also because I've got the pulley I'll be in their equivelent of SM. So here's the question:

225/50-15

or

205/50-15

The 205 smaller diameter by .8 inches over the 225 which helps with gearing. The 205 is narrow by around .8 inches and the sidewall on the 205 is lower by about .5 so which is better? I've always just run street tires for autocross but with the amount of events I did last year mixed with the odd track day I'm going R-Comps for '04. Not to mention that in one of the series I ran last year (BMWCC) that is was more or less only the few R-Comp runners that could be guaranteed of beating me which must stop this year.

Paul

 

If you have enough wheel width, neither...
You'll want to run a 225/45R15 in either a Hoosier A3S03, R3S03, or a Kumho Ecsta V700 (shaved!).
The 225/45 will be as small in diameter as the 205/50, but give you the contact patch of the 225/50. Plus, it will fit better.
For reference, I (and many other National competitors) ran a 225/45R15 Hoosier on my Miata's 15x6 wheels from '99-'01.
So, ideally you want a 15x8, but anything larger than the 6" width will work fine.

BTW, I love running the R3S03 for autocross, even though it's the Road Race compound. Without two drivers, it's a little difficult to heat up, but will last much longer. Plus, if you're going to do track events, it would be a great tire.
If you go with the Kumho, be sure to get it shaved a little. They heat up and blister if they're not shaved.

Have Fun and Good Luck!

Brian

 

>>If you have enough wheel width, neither...
>>You'll want to run a 225/45R15 in either a Hoosier A3S03, R3S03, or a Kumho Ecsta V700 (shaved!).
>>The 225/45 will be as small in diameter as the 205/50, but give you the contact patch of the 225/50. Plus, it will fit better.
>>For reference, I (and many other National competitors) ran a 225/45R15 Hoosier on my Miata's 15x6 wheels from '99-'01.
>>So, ideally you want a 15x8, but anything larger than the 6" width will work fine.
>>
>>BTW, I love running the R3S03 for autocross, even though it's the Road Race compound. Without two drivers, it's a little difficult to heat up, but will last much longer. Plus, if you're going to do track events, it would be a great tire.
>>If you go with the Kumho, be sure to get it shaved a little. They heat up and blister if they're not shaved.
>>
>>Have Fun and Good Luck!
>>
>>Brian

Thanks for the tips Brian. My worry with the Hoosiers is one of cost and durability. I really don't want to go through more than one set of tires/season I'm going to be running around 13 autocross' next season from April to October. Plus around 4 track days. It might be wishfull thinking but most I've talked to agreed that the Victoracer should be able to handle that length of service while every Hoosier would most likely be toast long before this. Competition isn't as fierce here in Toronto, especially at the BMWCC events so I don't need the all out tire.

Thoughts?

Paul

 

Just for your knowledge, I ran about 65 runs on the R3S03's in 2002, after I flopped them on the rims at about 45 runs.

The Victoracer doesn't come in a 225/45, whereas the Ecsta V700 does. Although I like the durability of the Victoracer, that little difference may be worth a few less runs.
So, you still have the longevity of a Kumho with the Ecsta.

On the other hand, the 225/50 is still lower diameter than stock, I'm just not thrilled with the tall sidewall.

Brian

 

Wow 65 runs out of an R3S03, I guess that mainly due to it's track tire nature? That's about how many runs I suspect I will do this coming season.

Are you saying the Ecsta, while it will last less than the Victoracer should be able to handle the number of runs I plan on doing with some track thrown in? My understanding is that the Ecsta is a little soft for track use. I see that the sidewall on the 225/45 is almost identical, .1", to the 205/50 as is overall diameter .1" difference. While you get the benefit of the .8" larger contact patch.

My main concern are the track driving days and how much they beat up the tires. Just about every wheel place I've talked to has recommended the Victoracer because of longevity the second I mention track days.

Thanks for the continued assistance Brian. Care to come to TO sometime and teach some of the cocky soloists here a lesson?

Paul

 

It's true, with the track events you may chew up the Ecsta's even faster. Perhaps the Victoracer would be the way to go for you. You may need some higher pressures than normal for that taller sidewall. Make sure you use a pyrometer.

Keep one more thing in mind when you discuss the Ecsta with others, did they get them shaved properly? I don't want to sound like I'm defending the Ecsta too much, it's more the size than the compound.
I'd still probably do the Hoosier if I could afford it.

Brian

 

>>It's true, with the track events you may chew up the Ecsta's even faster. Perhaps the Victoracer would be the way to go for you. You may need some higher pressures than normal for that taller sidewall. Make sure you use a pyrometer.
>>
>>Keep one more thing in mind when you discuss the Ecsta with others, did they get them shaved properly? I don't want to sound like I'm defending the Ecsta too much, it's more the size than the compound.
>>I'd still probably do the Hoosier if I could afford it.
>>

Ya, most i've talked to have had the Exsta's shaved. The one person I met that didn't knew he was an idiot.

When you say the Hoosiers do you mean the R3S03 compound? Do you think these would last me the season? The $256 extra for the Hoosier is hard to justify considering this will be my first season on R-Compounds. My understanding is that with the Hoosier you've got a very limited number of heat cycles. Correct me if I'm wrong.

If the Hoosier was under $200 more than the Victoracer I'd go with it to give it a try but it's past that infamous WAF again. (Wife Acceptance Factor)

I think I'm going to go with 205/50-15 on some 15x6.5 Ak Monzas.

Paul

 

Here's what I CAN tell you:
-I got 65 runs from the R3S03 on a car that was camber challenged.
-Jeff Spear from Hoosier told me that, something we all know now, the A/R3S04 will last longer because of a stiffer carcass (not compound, they're the same as ever).
-A very good road racer and tire dealer (Radial Tire, Silver Spring, MD) told me that he's been running the S04 (just did at the Daytona 250, Grand Am) and he said that they are definitely faster once heated up, but take a tad longer to heat up.

With this in mind, you should theoretically get plenty more runs out of the R3S04. You may want to give it a shot.

Brian

 

>>Here's what I CAN tell you:
>>-I got 65 runs from the R3S03 on a car that was camber challenged.
>>-Jeff Spear from Hoosier told me that, something we all know now, the A/R3S04 will last longer because of a stiffer carcass (not compound, they're the same as ever).
>>-A very good road racer and tire dealer (Radial Tire, Silver Spring, MD) told me that he's been running the S04 (just did at the Daytona 250, Grand Am) and he said that they are definitely faster once heated up, but take a tad longer to heat up.
>>
>>With this in mind, you should theoretically get plenty more runs out of the R3S04. You may want to give it a shot.


My car won't be camber challenged so that will obviously make a big difference. I'm also going to invest in a pyrometer. Hrm, you're slowly convincing me to try the hoosiers.

The wife isn't going to be happy.

Thanks for the continued info Brian,

Paul

 

Can I squeeze the Hoosier 225/45/15's on the AK Monza 15 X 6.5's without rubbing? I am on H&R springs also.

 

I'm running a 215 Hoosier on a 16x6.5 (same width as yours) with a 45mm offset. I wouldn't go any wider with that offset. So, to be safe, I'd run a 42mm or less offset. But, you can always find someone to allow you to test fit.

Brian

 

Brian,

Does this combo work: 225/45R15 on
http://outmotoring.com/team_dynamics_pro_race_2.html ?

Thanks,

Gene

 

They don't mention the offset on that site, only that it fits a MINI. But that will still depend on the tire size.
But, with a 15x7 (.5" wider than stock), you're going to want between a 35-38mm offset. Absolutely NO MORE than 38mm.

Brian

 

OK, this is going to drive me insane :evil: !

I know that: 1) I want Hoosiers and 2) I'd like 15" for the lower gearing. The TD's have a 45 mm offset so they're a no-go. Brian, what wheels (or 16's if needs-be) would you suggest for the 225/45R15 an the $150 range?

 

According to this site http://www.pvdalloys.co.uk/teamdynamics_prorace2.asp the prorace2 is a 45et.

Veni_Vidi_Vici, you're in the same boat as me. While odds are I'll be running with a 205/50-15 this season I want the option of going to the 225/45-15 too. So I want to make sure whatever offset I get doesn't prove to be a problem with the 225's. At the end of the day I think a 15x7 40et - 42et would be the best but I'm having a hell of a time finding a wheel that fits those requirements. As well as finding someone who can tell me they'll work. Everything I seem to come across seems to be 15x6.5. Like this FLIK wheel:

http://www.edgeracing.com/product/wh...tem_number=843

12lbs
40et
4x100
Only 6.5. And while 6.5 would do I'd prefer 7. But this is only $89!!/wheel!!

What to do, what to do...

Paul

 

Found an interesting wheel.

Company: AXIS
Model: Mag-Lite
Colours: Silver, Hyper-Silver, Graphite
Size: 15x7
Bolt: 4x100
Offset: 40et
Weight: 11lbs!

Cost: $187cdn ($140us)



Not the nicest wheel in the world but for track wheels it's got nice open spokes for brake cooling.

A little more, $20/wheel, than I wanted to pay. I'm going to inquire. Found them here:

http://www.tiretrends.com/

Found them in the US here for $126.

http://www.import-store.com/axis_maglite.htm

[EDIT]

Axis Website http://www.axiswheels.com/
Dealers: http://www.axiswheels.com/dealers_retail.html

[EDIT DONE]

Cheers,

Paul

 

I'm warning you, no more than a 38mm offset....
Don't forget, in your search, you'll find more fitments if you look for Miata wheels. The only difference is that the Miata has a smaller hub center, but most aftermarket wheels have a very large center and you get hubcentric rings.

Ok, checked out Tire Rack.
15x7 Kosei K1, 38mm, $129, 13.5lbs
15x7 Kosei K1 TS, 38mm $149, 10.5lbs!
ASA LW5, 15x7, 38mm, $99!, 14.5lbs
When you search there, be sure to search using the Cooper, not Cooper S (so that you can see the 15" fitments).

Brian

_________________
2002 SCCA Pro Solo H Stock Champion/ STX Cooper S in 2003/G Stock Cooper S in 2004. Moderator: PRO SOLO and G STOCK
garfield@northamericanmotoring.com

 

Really Brian? I 38et? Won't that cause a 225 to rub on the inside of the plastic fender?

Cheers,

Paul

 

Possibly, but not likely. We ran a 225/50R15 BFG T/A KD on a lowered S on Kosei K1 15x7's with 38mm offset and they were fine.

Even if it rubs, SM allows fender trimming, flaring, etc. You would just be talking about trimming the inside, so it wouldn't even be visable.

Either way, the only known time the tires rubbed was when we busted a rear swaybar link and were pulling in the driveway. It allowed the tire to "stuff" into the well too far.

Brian

 

Then a 38et it is then. This does indeed make things easier as there are a ton of 38et wheels out there as you posted earlier. Kosei K1 Racing seem like a logical choice now I have to decide if I'm going Hoosier or Kumho. I've got a line on a once used set of Hoosiers so we'll see.... :smile:

Paul

 

Ok, how about these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEBWA%3AIT

 

The 30mm offset is definitely low, a 36-38 would be ideal, but you're just adding another 8mm toward the outside. That measurement isn't really a lot, so it may not be an issue, but I don't consider an Ebay buy to be the best test fitment.

Brian

 

You may want to check into the TD 1's like I have. They are 15x7 and you can get them im many offsets, 50,45,40,38,35,30 etc.... They come in White or Black and are very common in the 35-40 et on the Miata Sites. It's a very common wheel for Spec Miata and Autox. They are 13.4lbs and are heat treated. I got mine to do what you are planning to do once my Falkens wear out. I got 40et thinking I would try to get them as close to the Strut as possible and then I can adjust out with 1-2mm spacers to get very specific clearances. I have plenty of room now with my 205's but I wanted to get 225's R's in the future. I'm even cheaper so I got Falkens for $62 each to burn up during my first year. I can't handle the "R" compounds yet.

_________________

 

Brian or anyone
There is no track day forum, and my mods match best with this autocross class - so can you help me with a track/street tire/wheel choice. I want to pick up a lot of gearing, loose weight, and meet or exceed factory grip. As a compromise for looks I want a 16 and not a 15. (on 17 s-heavies and euphorias now). I am looking at Rota Slipstreams in 16 x7 with 215/40/16 Toyo Proxes T1s as tire. I can chose 40 or 45 offset in this wheel. I though 45 was better, but this thread has me worried. I will add adjustable arms for camber in the future. Is the problem with shock rub?
Thanks
Wes

03 IB/wh MCS: 15%, 22rear bar, pilo intake, Miltex CB, GIAC load.