sup guys, i'm getting 16x7 inch (40mm offset) rims for auto-x and i'm wondering if i should go - 225/50, 225/45, 215/50, or 215/45? i'm just worried about rubbing and my car is dropped with h-sports and i'm also planning to add negative camber in the front... um about -1.8 in the front and -1 in the back. i'm pretty sure 215/45 is safe but are there any issues with the more aggresive sizes?

 

If you are autocrossing then you will be in Street Modified Class due to your 15% pulley upgrade. I'm not sure about the legality of the JDM under and mid strut bars- only lateral supports are allowed. See posts in the SM class forum for more information.

16x7 rims are fine you won't find alot of sizes that are good with tires that are best suited for autocross. It's limited.

215/45-16 fits rims 7-8", perfect fit for 7" wide rim 23.6" tire diameter (possible)
215/50-16 fits rims 6-7.5", perfect fit for 7" wide rim 24.5" tire diameter (a bit tall)
225/50-16 fits rims 6-8", perfect fit for 7" wide rim 24.9" tire diameter (tall)
225/45-16 fits rims 7-8.5", perfect fit for 7.5" wide rim 23.9" tire diameter (possible)

Also possible are
205/40-16 fits rims 7-8", perfect fit for 7.5" wide rim 22.4" tire diameter (possible)
205/45-16 fits rims 6.5-7.5", perfect fit for 7" wide rim 23.2" tire diameter (possible)

Usually for SM class the best 16" tires are R compound (*)
Kumho V710
*215/40-16 fits rims 7-8.5", perfect fit 7.5" rim 22.6" tire diam 19 lbs (common choice for autocross- small tire diam and lower weight)
225/50-16 fits rims 6-8", perfect fit 7" rim 24.7" tire diam 24 lbs
Hoosier A6
*205/45-16 fits rims 6-8", perfect fit 7" rim 22.8" tire diam 19 lbs (common choice for autocross- small tire diam and lower weight)
225/50-16 fits rims 7-9", perfect fit 7" rim 24.6" tire diam 22 lbs
245/45-16 fits rims 7-9", perfect fit 8" rim 24.4" tire diam 22 lbs

If you have a 2002 to 2004 MCS then you want smaller outer tire diameters to give you better lower gearing. 2005-2007 MCS has lower gearing so that isn't as much a problem. You don't want tall tires.

If you must have street tires then consider
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R Extreme performance Summer tire in
205/45-16 fits rims 6.5-7.5", perfect fit 7" rim 23.2" tire diam 21 lbs
180 treadwear $151 each

 

um... wow thanks for the info. the jdm bar connects to two lateral points so looks like i'm keeping it. i was looking at the V710 and the A6, but i was thinking that four wheels + jack wouldn't fit in the car. have you had any experience with Falken Azenis Rt615? i came across it looking for tires and i read it from a vendor, but was not a review, that its good.

 

If so then the JDM bar like OMP strut could be legal.

Falken Azenis Rt-615 like Hankook Rs2 Z212 are Max Performance Summer tires meant for street use and track or autocross in Street Touring classes like STS for MC or STX for MCS. While they are good tires they aren't as good as the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R however they are less expensive.

For maximum grip the Kumho V710 and Hoosier A6 are what National level Autocross drivers use and for good reason. They aren't as durable as the Falken tires and your can't drive them on the street safely (no tread and too risky for tire damage).

 

ok cool, i think i'll settle with the potenza re-01r. thanks for help minihune

 

If you choose the Potenza RE-01R in 205/45-16 they will fit with your rims and suspension just fine because tire diameter is smaller than stock.

The tire is not overly wide but will fit well and should perform fine. You can use slightly higher than usual tire pressures about 42-44 psi in the front and about 40 in the rear and then see how it feels and maybe drop pressure a little. Chalk the tires and see how far you are using your tread on the sidewalls.

If you have RE-01R you can drive to the events and not have to pack wheels. Four tires of any of these sizes and a jack will fit in your rear seat and boot area no problem.

The difference in times for a 30 second course between the RE-01R and R compound tires will likely be about 1 to 1.5 seconds. Maybe 2 seconds on a 50 second course. You'll have to drive a little bit cleaner and smoother when using street tires or you will loose some traction or make a lot of noise.

 

I'm trying to decide between 205/45/17 and 215/45 RE01R's. I'm on Bilstein PSS9's with -2F and -1.5R camber, lowered about an inch. The wheels are 7.5ET42. I've got 215/35/18 Parada Spec-2's on 7.5 ET45 now and it's close to the shock body. The 215/45/17 RE01R will be 7.5mm closer to the spring perch vertically and 2mm horizontally at the outside edge (taking into account the new wheels moving outboard). using a finger to measure, it seems to be ok, but the potential is there for issues. play it safe?

 

205/45-17 is safer for clearance. 215/45-17 might work.

You have 215/35-18 now.

Which rim are you going with and what offset? 17x?

 

see below. Alex at TR says 215's will work. we'll see

 

I didn't know if the 7.5 et 42 was for the older 18" rim or the new 17" rim.

OK, 17x7.5 with +42mm offset and 215/45-17 tires?

I think there will be enough clearance just slightly.

Let us know how you like the Bridgestone RE-01Rs

Good luck.

 

if four tires and a jack can fit in a mini, then i might reconsider the v710's which is just 20 bucks more per tire than the re-01r's in tirerack... but its starting to be in the rainy season in the bay area. too bad, they had 215/40/16 for the v710 but not for the re-01r.

did you get another brand new set of rims PGT?

 

not brand new...lightly used BBS RV-F. I'll be selling the ones pictured below in a day or so

these................................................\/

 

If there is any rain then the RE-01R is much better.

You have to take your chances and drive slower if wet and using V710.

Otherwise if it is dry then V710 is much better.

Both options will fit just fine in the MINI rear area can be four tires standing up and plenty of room in the boot for floor jack and cooler plus tools and helmet, etc. I usually bring a large box of stuff, hand impact wrench and folding chair.

 

I might just go for the re-01r's because i can use it in the wet or dry events. PGT- are those bbs rv-f's happen to be from sjj28?