What tires should I get?

Lee Williams · **Joined:** Wed Sep 03, 2003 12:22 pm **Posts:** 75

Thanks everyone for your responses. Very good information. Eventually, I think that a second set of wheels (non-staggered) is in my future for track (thanks Vincent). But for now, just one set. The alignment looked pretty good but with 1/8 inch total toe, now set to -1/16". And amazingly, I have about a degree of negative camber. They (Automotive Performance and Chassis) said that the suspension does need some work, so that is now on my to-do list (thanks Chuck). I can get lower control arms from Nissan for $238 or from Autozone for $85. Going with the lowest price and may pay for it later, but it fits the budget better now. (Unless someone has some very bad experience with them or a better idea.)

As for tires, CMP looms in my mind, and without a second set of wheels, I just don't want to get a set of RE71Rs and then need a new set later this year. So, I am pretty much settled on the Hankook R-S3s (thanks Andrew). Maybe with the suspension work, the outside edges won't get beat up like the Michelins did. They have them in the same size that I have on the car now (245/40/18 and 265/40/18) but they also have the larger sizes (255/35/18 and 275/35/18). The bigger contact patches are attractive, the pricing is about the same and I'm pretty sure they'd fit, but I'm wondering about the down-sides.

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Sun Apr 17, 2016 11:31 pm

275 would be pretty wide for a 8.5" wheel. The Camaro had 275s on 9" wheels and they could have stood to have been on 10" wheels. There's this whole thing about triangulating the tire carcass to cause the sidewall to be stiffer. The miata has 15x8s and running 205s, they look about just right.

Lee Williams · **Joined:** Wed Sep 03, 2003 12:22 pm **Posts:** 75

I'm getting too grip greedy I think. Will probably stick with the 245/265 like I have now. They have served me well.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

My turn. I figure the RE71R is still the tire to get, but if someone has reason to think that's not true between now and 11:59 PM tomorrow night, please speak up. I can't stand to pass up a rebate.

Like Lee, my rims are 8.5" wide. The ZIIs I bought from Dick in Dec 2014 are 265/35-18s and though they are spec'ed for a minimum 9" wide rim, they don't seem to be particularly pinched. I figure a 275 will work too, and the online chat rep at Tire Rack today said the RE71Rs work fine for autocross on a narrower than spec rim. What he didn't mention is that my size isn't available until mid-June.

[I really miss my 295/30-18 A6s. You should have seen Rodney's reaction when he saw those loaded up on my tire trailer. Actually, everybody at Laurinburg that day saw Rodney's reaction

]

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Wed May 11, 2016 7:54 pm

I've been checking on SCCA results like the Wilmington ProSolo this past weekend (congrats Jennifer and Chris!), and for the power classes (SS and AS), it appears that the tire of choice is the Rival S. Do these put down power better perhaps? Anyone have any insight? I would assume that would also benefit FS cars if it was the case, but the RE-71R is all you see there.

michaelsmiller · **Posted:** Thu May 12, 2016 11:02 am

I think that tire choice has a lot to do with availability of tire size. For SS and AS classes, typically Vette territory, BFG supports tire widths up to 335 X 30 X18 as well as 315. It's hard to argue that such a large foot print doesn't have grip advantages. Star spec's and RE71R's don't come anywhere near to these sizes. FS cars have choices from most major manufacturers.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu May 12, 2016 1:36 pm

michaelsmiller wrote:

I think that tire choice has a lot to do with availability of tire size. For SS and AS classes, typically Vette territory, BFG supports tire widths up to 335 X 30 X18 as well as 315. It's hard to argue that such a large foot print doesn't have grip advantages. Star spec's and RE71R's don't come anywhere near to these sizes. FS cars have choices from most major manufacturers.

Ah, that has to be it. Thanks Mike. That makes total sense.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Dang it, the 275s (which finally arrived last Friday) won't hold air when crammed onto 8.5" wide rims. Grumble grumble grumble

Arthur McDonald wrote:

My turn. I figure the RE71R is still the tire to get, but if someone has reason to think that's not true between now and 11:59 PM tomorrow night, please speak up. I can't stand to pass up a rebate.

Like Lee, my rims are 8.5" wide. The ZIIs I bought from Dick in Dec 2014 are 265/35-18s and though they are spec'ed for a minimum 9" wide rim, they don't seem to be particularly pinched. I figure a 275 will work too, and the online chat rep at Tire Rack today said the RE71Rs work fine for autocross on a narrower than spec rim. What he didn't mention is that my size isn't available until mid-June.

[I really miss my 295/30-18 A6s. You should have seen Rodney's reaction when he saw those loaded up on my tire trailer. Actually, everybody at Laurinburg that day saw Rodney's reaction

]

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2016 7:48 am

Arthur McDonald wrote:

Dang it, the 275s (which finally arrived last Friday) won't hold air when crammed onto 8.5" wide rims. Grumble grumble grumble

What? That doesn't sound right at all. I've used them without issue on an 8.5" front wheel. The TRA spec for a 275/35-18 is 9"-11" wheel width, and just going down to an 8.5" is not some crazy experiment. Something else is afoot.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

This shop hasn't had trouble with tires I've brought them previously. Tire Rack rep seemed sure HE could have mounted them ... implied that hitting the tire with a lot more air would seat the bead. Maybe doing that on a 7 year old cast wheel isn't a great idea.

I know a 265-38/18 Z2 will mount on that size rim. The same shop did it last fall for me with no difficulty, so I'm exchanging tires. If I give up a tenth or two, I'll never know -- too many other variables in play anyway. Besides, the unrelenting roar of the Z2s on the way to the autocross site gets me in the right frame of mind

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:29 pm

Chuck Branscomb wrote:

Arthur McDonald wrote:

Dang it, the 275s (which finally arrived last Friday) won't hold air when crammed onto 8.5" wide rims. Grumble grumble grumble

What? That doesn't sound right at all. I've used them without issue on an 8.5" front wheel. The TRA spec for a 275/35-18 is 9"-11" wheel width, and just going down to an 8.5" is not some crazy experiment. Something else is afoot.

I agree with that, 5th gen Camaro guys would stick 285s on 9" wheels all the time.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:51 am

Looks like things will get even more interesting for next year. From the latest Fastrack a new BFG Rival S is on the way:

BF Goodrich has announced that they will be releasing an update to the Rival S tire. Based on details provided by BF
Goodrich and Tirerack, the SEB has determined that this new version of the tire has undergone significant changes.
Section 13.3-B-4 of the Solo Rulebook requires the eligibility test to be reset. Therefore the updated version of the Rival
S is not eligible for competition use in Championship Tours or the Solo National Championships.
It may be eligible for regional competition depending on your local region’s practices.
Here is how to identify the new tire:
- The speed rating molded in the sidewall will be a V rating instead of the previous W rating.
- The part number will not match the previous models.
The Tire Rack has a good supply of the current model tire and does not have a scheduled date for the new tire to arrive.
BFGoodrich will not release the new model tire until the old supply sells out.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2016 11:36 am

Also, the new Kumho has seemingly gotten a new compound so that they don't delaminate like they originally did. They seem to be pretty fast when you look at the Packwood ProSolo results from last weekend. - AB

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2016 1:35 pm

Aaron Buckley wrote:

Also, the new Kumho has seemingly gotten a new compound so that they delaminate like they originally did. They seem to be pretty fast when you look at the Packwood ProSolo results from last weekend. - AB

Do delaminate or don't delaminate?

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2016 1:40 pm

Chad Culbertson wrote:

Do delaminate or don't delaminate?

Typo, don't

I'll fix the post. - AB

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What tires should I get?

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