Help me decide tire sizes for the need, gurus out there.
03-12-04, 09:36 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Help me decide tire sizes for the need, gurus out there.
Help me decide tire sizes for the need, gurus out there.
Hi all,
I'm in need for new set of tires. The wheel I have is 8.5 in front and 9.5 in rear.All 18's. I'm using 235/40 and 265/35. Tell you the truth, I fricking hate this set!!! 265 in the rear suppose to grip more, but seems not...to my expectation anyway. The tires are Yoko AVS Sport. Maybe it's the tires' fault, not the size, but.....
From my understanding( and facts), my rear tires are shorter than the fronts. That leads me to believe since the rears are driving wheels, the car can oversteer easier in conners. Although, a bimmer friend confirmed to me that my size is popular among his bimmer club, I just do not agree. Man, they have OEM traction control to help, we don't. Yet, we have turbo surging power to provoke oversteer if that help.
So, I'll buy a new set, but which combination?
1) 245/35 and 265/35 --- my first choice, but damn difficult to find those 245/35/18. Limited in brands avai.
2) 245/40 and 265/40 -- will be very tall for sure, but give the best protection for the wheel, yeah?
3) 235/40 and 255/40 -- Just because I saw in this month C&D that Tirerack is doing special on MS Pilot Sport.
4) 235/40 and 275/35 -- Close to my current, but wider and taller at the back now. Along with special at tirerack, looking good! yet, I remember SleepR1 told me a while back that shorter tire will spin first. Don't know if that would apply to the 275/35 tho.
OR
5) say....fack it and use the same size? Polly my Yoko is not good (performance wise) anyway. What you think?(It's pretty good dry,but bad wet. Very good in wear, yet I don't care about tire life.)
BTW, I'm not sure if 275 will fit the back. Off set is either 41 or 42 I exactly sure. Now, with 265, it looks damn close to the inner lip already.
My first choice was selection one (245/35 and 265/35) wtih Toyo T1-S or GY GS-D3. I'd take Toyo tho, but in wet here in NW, so still undecided.
Now, tirerack is doing special on Mich Pilot Sport, but not avai in 245/35.
Please give me some advice for the best combination of tires for street - performance size. Then, brands that have the sizes avai for me.
Sorry for the long post, but I think it's easier for you guye to understand the situation and my needs.
Thanks in advance.
POM HB
Hi all,
I'm in need for new set of tires. The wheel I have is 8.5 in front and 9.5 in rear.All 18's. I'm using 235/40 and 265/35. Tell you the truth, I fricking hate this set!!! 265 in the rear suppose to grip more, but seems not...to my expectation anyway. The tires are Yoko AVS Sport. Maybe it's the tires' fault, not the size, but.....
From my understanding( and facts), my rear tires are shorter than the fronts. That leads me to believe since the rears are driving wheels, the car can oversteer easier in conners. Although, a bimmer friend confirmed to me that my size is popular among his bimmer club, I just do not agree. Man, they have OEM traction control to help, we don't. Yet, we have turbo surging power to provoke oversteer if that help.
So, I'll buy a new set, but which combination?
1) 245/35 and 265/35 --- my first choice, but damn difficult to find those 245/35/18. Limited in brands avai.
2) 245/40 and 265/40 -- will be very tall for sure, but give the best protection for the wheel, yeah?
3) 235/40 and 255/40 -- Just because I saw in this month C&D that Tirerack is doing special on MS Pilot Sport.
4) 235/40 and 275/35 -- Close to my current, but wider and taller at the back now. Along with special at tirerack, looking good! yet, I remember SleepR1 told me a while back that shorter tire will spin first. Don't know if that would apply to the 275/35 tho.
OR
5) say....fack it and use the same size? Polly my Yoko is not good (performance wise) anyway. What you think?(It's pretty good dry,but bad wet. Very good in wear, yet I don't care about tire life.)
BTW, I'm not sure if 275 will fit the back. Off set is either 41 or 42 I exactly sure. Now, with 265, it looks damn close to the inner lip already.
My first choice was selection one (245/35 and 265/35) wtih Toyo T1-S or GY GS-D3. I'd take Toyo tho, but in wet here in NW, so still undecided.
Now, tirerack is doing special on Mich Pilot Sport, but not avai in 245/35.
Please give me some advice for the best combination of tires for street - performance size. Then, brands that have the sizes avai for me.
Sorry for the long post, but I think it's easier for you guye to understand the situation and my needs.
Thanks in advance.
POM HB
03-12-04, 10:43 PM
#2
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235/40 and 265/35 have almost exactly the same diameter. I would stick with 265/35 on the back. The front could be either 235/40 again or 245/35, which would make the front of your car a little lower as well.
The AVS Sports might not be the stickiest tire out there but they are very good. If you are having traction problems, then I suggest you look at:
*alignment
*worn out suspension pieces (bushings, shocks, etc)
*driving skill
The AVS Sports might not be the stickiest tire out there but they are very good. If you are having traction problems, then I suggest you look at:
*alignment
*worn out suspension pieces (bushings, shocks, etc)
*driving skill
03-12-04, 11:02 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
Thanks for the first reply, rynberg!
And, you think I should stick w/ 265/35? how about the front, which is better between 245/35 and 235/40?
235/40 will have higher side wall....so it would make the rear, which has shorter side wall, step out easier, right?
So, from that point, 245/35 would be better to correct oversteer problem.
But, if you feel the different is too little and very much neglegable, I'll just stick w/ 235/40 and 265/35 for the sake of selection of tires.
BTW, I get the 245/35 and 265/35 preference from Re-Amemiya set-up in HyperRev book #2 (RX7 ones). They were using or recommending 245/40/17 and 265/40/17. Then, in the later one, polly #3, they use 245/40 and 255/40. So, I don't really know what to follow except auto-X experts like many of our members, who have experiences from real world.
POM HB
And, you think I should stick w/ 265/35? how about the front, which is better between 245/35 and 235/40?
235/40 will have higher side wall....so it would make the rear, which has shorter side wall, step out easier, right?
So, from that point, 245/35 would be better to correct oversteer problem.
But, if you feel the different is too little and very much neglegable, I'll just stick w/ 235/40 and 265/35 for the sake of selection of tires.
BTW, I get the 245/35 and 265/35 preference from Re-Amemiya set-up in HyperRev book #2 (RX7 ones). They were using or recommending 245/40/17 and 265/40/17. Then, in the later one, polly #3, they use 245/40 and 255/40. So, I don't really know what to follow except auto-X experts like many of our members, who have experiences from real world.
POM HB
03-13-04, 12:28 AM
#4
Short and stiff sidewalls seem to noticably hurt traction for acceleration. Smaller diameter tires tend to be easier to slip during acceleration as well (shorter effective gear ratio, and the contact patch is not as "long" front to rear).
Yoko AVS Sport tires are relatively wide for their size and have stiff sidewalls. I used these tires on stock wheels for a while and liked them, but they may be better suited for heavier cars than the RX-7 since they are so stiff.
The Toyo T1-S is relatively narrow for their size, but seem to offer great performance despite this fact. I owned a set of these, but ended up selling them before I ever ran them on the car. I didn't think I would wear out my current tires very quickly, and there was no sense in "aging" the T1-S tires in the meantime. The rounded sidewall and relatively narrow tread width might be a nice advantage if you are worried about rubbing the fender lips. It probably helps keep tramlining to a minimum, too. The T1-S is supposed to be decent in the wet, too.
Remember that the profile is just a percentage rather than an absolute height. For instance, the 235/40-18 and 265/35-18 combo have the about same sidewall heights. I used the Miata tire size calculator (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html) applet to calculate the following:
size, sidewall, diameter
225/50-16, 4.4", 24.9" (Stock)
Fronts:
245/35-18, 3.4", 24.8"
255/35-18, 3.5", 25.0"
235/40-18, 3.7", 25.4"
245/40-18, 3.9", 25.7" (too tall, IMO)
Rears:
265/35-18, 3.7", 25.3"
275/35-18, 3.8", 25.6"
255/40-18, 4.0", 26.0"
265/40-18, 4.2", 26.3" (too tall, IMO)
Note that actual tire sizes vary somewhat from model to model, but these estimates should be pretty close to reality.
Based on those sizes for the fronts, I like the 235/40-18, 245/35-18, and 255/35-18 since the diameters are not too far from stock. 245/40-18 might be a bit tall for the front at 25.7".
Diameter is less of a concern in the rear, and large diameter and tall sidewalls (which go hand-in-hand since the wheel is a fixed size at 18") should be better for traction during acceleration. The 265/40-18 at 26.3" is pushing (if not over) the diameter limits, though.
235/40-18 and 265/35-18 seems like a nice combo except for the short sidewalls on the rear tires. Perhaps running some taller 255/40-18 rears with these fronts would be a good solution.
275/35-18 rears offer a tad more sidewall height and could match up pretty well with any of the front sizes that aren't too tall.
Perhaps one of these setups with some high-po tires with relatively soft sidewalls would yield the results you are looking for.
-Max
Yoko AVS Sport tires are relatively wide for their size and have stiff sidewalls. I used these tires on stock wheels for a while and liked them, but they may be better suited for heavier cars than the RX-7 since they are so stiff.
The Toyo T1-S is relatively narrow for their size, but seem to offer great performance despite this fact. I owned a set of these, but ended up selling them before I ever ran them on the car. I didn't think I would wear out my current tires very quickly, and there was no sense in "aging" the T1-S tires in the meantime. The rounded sidewall and relatively narrow tread width might be a nice advantage if you are worried about rubbing the fender lips. It probably helps keep tramlining to a minimum, too. The T1-S is supposed to be decent in the wet, too.
Remember that the profile is just a percentage rather than an absolute height. For instance, the 235/40-18 and 265/35-18 combo have the about same sidewall heights. I used the Miata tire size calculator (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html) applet to calculate the following:
size, sidewall, diameter
225/50-16, 4.4", 24.9" (Stock)
Fronts:
245/35-18, 3.4", 24.8"
255/35-18, 3.5", 25.0"
235/40-18, 3.7", 25.4"
245/40-18, 3.9", 25.7" (too tall, IMO)
Rears:
265/35-18, 3.7", 25.3"
275/35-18, 3.8", 25.6"
255/40-18, 4.0", 26.0"
265/40-18, 4.2", 26.3" (too tall, IMO)
Note that actual tire sizes vary somewhat from model to model, but these estimates should be pretty close to reality.
Based on those sizes for the fronts, I like the 235/40-18, 245/35-18, and 255/35-18 since the diameters are not too far from stock. 245/40-18 might be a bit tall for the front at 25.7".
Diameter is less of a concern in the rear, and large diameter and tall sidewalls (which go hand-in-hand since the wheel is a fixed size at 18") should be better for traction during acceleration. The 265/40-18 at 26.3" is pushing (if not over) the diameter limits, though.
235/40-18 and 265/35-18 seems like a nice combo except for the short sidewalls on the rear tires. Perhaps running some taller 255/40-18 rears with these fronts would be a good solution.
275/35-18 rears offer a tad more sidewall height and could match up pretty well with any of the front sizes that aren't too tall.
Perhaps one of these setups with some high-po tires with relatively soft sidewalls would yield the results you are looking for.
-Max
03-13-04, 12:49 AM
#5
Lookie Only
Thread Starter
Great info, Max. Thanks a bunch!
A lot of info on how to choose between the width and the height of the tires. And, the impact of them to the performance.
I've noticed many are using the same or very similar diameter rims.(8.5 and 9.5) So, guys, if you have more opinion or suggestion, keep em comin'!
POM HB
A lot of info on how to choose between the width and the height of the tires. And, the impact of them to the performance.
I've noticed many are using the same or very similar diameter rims.(8.5 and 9.5) So, guys, if you have more opinion or suggestion, keep em comin'!
POM HB
03-13-04, 12:48 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
I've been thinkin' last night and w/ all the help from our verterian members, rynberg and Max, I think I might go for 235/40 and 275/35.
I'm expecting 'not well' balanced handling w/ the set up when connering tho. As the rear is much wider, it 'should' grip better than front when no boosted. You guys think so?
POM HB
I'm expecting 'not well' balanced handling w/ the set up when connering tho. As the rear is much wider, it 'should' grip better than front when no boosted. You guys think so?
POM HB
03-13-04, 01:40 PM
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Well, I just bought new (used) wheels + tires yesterday, 18x8.5 and 18x9.5 with 235/40 and 265/35 Toyo T1-S. I'll be mounting them next weekend after I install some new upper spring seats in the fronts and I'll let you know my impressions.
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03-13-04, 05:30 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
I'll be waiting rynberg!
In the mean time, to bump this thread up a bit, I'll update my progress.
Called Tirerack a moment ago and they said the price in March magazines are no good????? All the size I want in 18 of Pilot Sport cost only 179 each.
However, I also found that S-03 cost 174 at edgeracing.com in 235/35/18. It's on special. So, I'm considering either S-03 in 265 or 275/ 35 in rear. As you guys have been recommending 265 in general, I just might follow the advice. Otherwise, I'd take T1-S at 245/35 and 265/35.
Thanks,
POM HB
In the mean time, to bump this thread up a bit, I'll update my progress.
Called Tirerack a moment ago and they said the price in March magazines are no good????? All the size I want in 18 of Pilot Sport cost only 179 each.
However, I also found that S-03 cost 174 at edgeracing.com in 235/35/18. It's on special. So, I'm considering either S-03 in 265 or 275/ 35 in rear. As you guys have been recommending 265 in general, I just might follow the advice. Otherwise, I'd take T1-S at 245/35 and 265/35.
Thanks,
POM HB
03-14-04, 12:32 AM
#10
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Thread Starter
Thanks for the reply KaizoRX7. Is this size combination your first? I mean if you had another set of 234/40/18 and 265/35/18 before S03. How was it then?
I ask because I wanna know if your prior set was not that good! And, S03 corrects the problem of yours. If your handling wasn't this good before (too much oversteer or on-boost spin out), then it means the size of 234/40/18 and 265/35/18 doesn't work well with our surging power.
POM HB
BTW, my last post in the tire size was wrong. S-03 cost 174 at edgeracing.com in 235/40/18!
I ask because I wanna know if your prior set was not that good! And, S03 corrects the problem of yours. If your handling wasn't this good before (too much oversteer or on-boost spin out), then it means the size of 234/40/18 and 265/35/18 doesn't work well with our surging power.
POM HB
BTW, my last post in the tire size was wrong. S-03 cost 174 at edgeracing.com in 235/40/18!
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