Help with some wheel/tire decisions

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

OK - bear with me for a long story.

Seeking advice on wheels/tires for my car for track and AX.

Right now I've been running 215/40-17 Azenis on the heavy stock wheels for both. I've got dibs on a set of 16x7in Rota Slipstreams, and also discovered 15x7.5in Rotas would work as well with a 5mm spacer.

So here's one plan -

Track - 16in Rotas, AX - 15in Rotas
Close the deal on the 16in Rotas - use up the Azenis and then use them as track wheels. Cons are the drilling/offset are very rare, so if I damage one I'm SOL for a long time. R-comp tire choices also very limited (Advans (225width) or V710s (215width)
For AX 15in would be almost perfect for the gearing reduction

Plan B:
15in Rotas for AX and track. Maybe 2 sets so I can stay in STS.
These would be great because of the tire options, and I could safely use 225 width in R-comp and street tires.
The things that really worried me about 15in track wheels are brake cooling and ground clearance. I'm thinking I could pull out my fog lamps and use them as duct openings for piping to the back of the rotors, but I'll also have the exhaust header some 2.5in off the ground, I think. One off and bye-bye exhaust.

Plan C:
Sort of like B -
Track - 17in stock wheels, AX 15in Rotas
I could let the deal on the 16inch wheels go, and just stick with my stock wheels for now. Since the track stuff is non-competitive, I'm wondering how much trouble it is worth to get lighter wheels. The big con here is there is no way I can get 225width to work on 17in rims with my car.

Just thought I'd better make the decision ASAP so I can let the guy holding the 16in Rotas know.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Plan D: Buy Rich Anderson's 17" wheels that already have Hoosier GACs on them for track.

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Wes Eargle wrote:

Plan D: Buy Rich Anderson's 17" wheels that already have Hoosier GACs on them for track.

I was just there Sunday - there's no way I can get them to fit, especially the rear. I think his hubs sit differently from the SVT hubs.
I already have neg 1.8 camber in the rear and I could see tread surface outside the fender skirt.
I really wanted those wheels, but I'd need coilovers to raise the car to make them work.

JamesFeinberg · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:18 pm

I'd lean towards Plan C. You can replace a stock wheel easily if you bend one at a track and there are plenty of great 15" tires for auto-x'ing. The gearing advantage for auto-x'ing is a win-win while having something lighter for track isn't a huge help especially when you get past 2nd gear.

Jim

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Not all 15s will fit over the FSVTs front brakes ...

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Wes Eargle wrote:

Not all 15s will fit over the FSVTs front brakes ...

Yeah - The options are very limited, but thankfully someone else did all the research

- Those Rotas do work - the 5mm spacer is required to clear the rear suspension.
OZ Ultra/superleggeras, and Team Dynamics Pro Race are the other option.
At $500 shipped for a set of 15in Rota Slipstreams, I'm pretty well sold on them.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:38 pm

KendtEklund wrote:

Yeah - The options are very limited, but thankfully someone else did all the research

- Those Rotas do work - the 5mm spacer is required to clear the rear suspension.
OZ Ultra/superleggeras, and Team Dynamics Pro Race are the other option.
At $500 shipped for a set of 15in Rota Slipstreams, I'm pretty well sold on them.

I agree with this, plus there are a lot of 15" 225mm sizes upcoming. Something that was not around when I was running STS. - AB

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:54 pm

The problem of running 17's on track is that most takeoffs and common track tires are 225, which I thought wouldnt work.

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Ryan Holton wrote:

The problem of running 17's on track is that most takeoffs and common track tires are 225, which I thought wouldnt work.

I think I'm pretty much lost there - without raising the car, rock-hard race springs, or major fender work I'm not going to get 225-17's to fit.
I've got one set of 215/40-17 Azenis to kill and then its on to something else.

I'm now leaning towards a more common 16in wheel for track duty, and running Azenis or one of the upcoming 225/45-16 street tire options to begin with, and biting the bullet on Advans or 710s at some point down the road.

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Thanks for all the advice, BTW.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:36 pm

might i suggest a conversation with Mark @ HH&W.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

steve remchak wrote:

might i suggest a conversation with Mark @ HH&W.

4x108 bolt pattern is the devil. It's really hard to find wheels that work when the only cars that use them with an acceptable offset are the Contour, Mystique, Focus and Cougar.

Jeb Brookshire · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:59 pm

I have access to Rota, Team Dynamics and others as well.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:13 pm

Jeb Brookshire wrote:

I have access to Rota, Team Dynamics and others as well.

in all fairness Jeb, i meant to mention you also.

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Jeb Brookshire wrote:

I have access to Rota, Team Dynamics and others as well.

That's good news (especially on the TDs) - I know everyone is limited on what Rota makes in the 4x108. How's the access to the Team Dynamics wheels? If I bent one of them how likely will they have a replacement? What's the price like vs. the Rotas?
I did find another 16in wheel option - Motegi Tracklites (at $300/wheel :shock:

)
I'll give you a call before I buy anything. Hey - are you guys going to carry the new Toyo R1-Rs? Any word on pricing yet?

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Help with some wheel/tire decisions

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