I'm an AutoXer that is stuck in a region where I'm the only 2.5RS that regularly competes. Therefore, good 2.5RS Auto-X info is hard to come by. All last season, I used my RE92s and did pretty well with them. I need new tires for this year, and I really want to go with the Kuhmo Victoracer V700's. As everyone knows, they are not available in our 205/55 size (since I want to stay in GS, going to 15" is not an option). I know that some people out there have gotten the 225/55's with a stock suspension. How did it work out?? What problems did you encounter? Would you get them again?

If you have had a good experience with another AutoX-only tire in GS, please comment as well.

Thanks

Actually the closest V700 is 225/50 16 (same sidewall height as 205/55 stock tires.

I have tried them.

They rub (badly) on the rear suspension.

I did purchase some H&R 10mm spacers, but never used them.

The only other choice is 205/55 BFG gForce, though the V700 is prob a better tire.

Glenn

I've been running 225/50 16 Pirelli P7000 SS for about 20k miles and they only rub if put someone fat in the back seat and hit a big seam (Boston roads are really bad, for those who've never witnessed them) Otherwise, they're fine. Just my experience though.

-Kurt.

I would highly recommend the 205/45-16 Hoosier R3S03. Like all Hoosiers it runs big for its size, but it really is very short compared to stock.

Sticks better than a Kumho, too bad they don't offer it in the autocross compound for that size.

If you use the 225/50-16 Kumho V700 better be in a class that allows light fender mods (STR) or wholesale flaring (SP and above) or you'll be sorry.

[This message has been edited by ColinL (edited March 22, 2001).]

Ahhh! Crap! Back to the drawing board.
Kumho V700 225/50/16's http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/frown.gif
They rub on the suspension side??
These were the tires I was going to mount on the stock rims of my WRX for this years autocross season...

Hrrrmmm. I an use small spacers and still remain in G Stock. I also have the fender flares to work with... Not looking good for KC and the wagon.

Oh - I just remembered!!! I have 6.5" width rims! Not the 7" wide RS rims...
There may be hope for me yet!

I remember reading somewhere that BFG has a 215/50/16? I think those were the KDW's...
I'd personally go with the 205/50/16's the extra sidewall strength is worth the ~4% less on the speedo

Yes, but the 6.5" wide rims have an even greater offset of 55mm so you still may be rubbing.

Kumho only sells the V700's in the 225/50/16 (the closest size we could find. I have my heart set on Kumho rubber.) Now on there spec sheet they say that the tires will fit a witdh of 6" - 8". Seeing as I'm at 6.5" - I thought "cool - these will work."

Greater offset?? On a less wide tire? I don't think so. I believe it's a 51mm vs the 53 of the 7". The wider the rim, the "deeper" the offset would have to be.
http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/confused.gif

I've been wrong before... http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif
- Kris

The WRX rear suspension is slightly different --- the 225/50 Kumhos might not rub on the WRX.

The 225/50 V700's have a wider section width compared to other 225/50 tires for some reason.

Also, when I said H&R 10mm spacer before I was smoking crack, I think it is a 5mm spacer per side which they call the 10mm kit.

Glenn

Kris (who only has 18mm and isn't afraid to admit it http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif ) - Yes, the 6.5" wide rims have a +55mm offset. That's what your old GT rims had, and there's a post on this Forum somewhere (I think) that a guy found the "+55" stamped on the inside of the rim. I'm not sure I understand why the wheels are spaced that way, but they are. I know from looking inside the rear wheel wells of my 2.5GT that it's nearly as tight a fit between the tires and the struts as it is on an RS.

Pat Olsen
'97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan

Like this?! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/cool.gif
<IMG SRC="http://24.147.94.96/misc/threewheel.jpg" border=0>
This is a pic of KC with BFG slicks, three wheeling it into a corner. Very nice!

i know they aren't as sticky as a auto-x tire but yoko a032r come in 205-55r16

Pat - Leave the size of my bar out of this! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif
Well, I hope they don't rub, I think I'm going to try it. I need to inspect clearences, etc. beforehand - then we'll see if it's a go.

Glenn - It too just dawned on me that 10mm is a little less then an inch http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif . We're damn Americans without the metric system. - Kris

I wouldn't use an R compound on a stock suspensioned car. At the limit something has to break lose and those sticky R compounds aren't gonna break lose. So your car will tip over. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

webkris: Did you ever end up trying the 225/50s on your WRX? I'm curious to know how they worked out if you did or if any other WRX owners have tried out the size on their cars.

D-WRX

You can fit the Kumhos on the car. With stock alignment I got the Kumhos on. You need a spacer in the rear. I think I used a 3/16" spacer. You also have to roll the fenders a little, and take the rubber fender lip strip off. The car did work well with the Kumhos.

Brian Priebe

Methinks Gambit doesn't want any competition in G-Stock!

How about... if you run any tires other than the no-grip RE92s, your car might tip over http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

-- ConeMasher

Sorry for the OT, but kris' pic is totally redunkuous. Reminds me of FWD IT cars that lock and lift their inside rear wheel in turn one at limerock....too much http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Back OT, I was real close to ordering 225/45/16's (yoko AVS-I) They also make this size in the kumho 712's. These will not rub on the RS, but they do have a shorter diameter....almost identical to 205/50/16. I ultimately decided I didn't want that short of a tire, an stuck with the stock size.

Just to clarify, has anyone run 225/50-16 Kumho V700's on the WRX yet?

A lot of conjecture seems to think that it MIGHT be ok, as the RS only rubbed slightly, and the WRX seems to have more room.

Does anyone have a definitive answer?

-- ConeMasher (afraid to be guineapig)

Not Kumho, but quite fat Dunlop's (8.25" cross section.)

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<IMG SRC="http://www.thebestisp.com/~squadra/tire2.gif" border=0>

Pinky worth of room at the rear strut. First Auto-X this weekend (22nd)

Shane Kullman
'02 WRX Blue


[This message has been edited by ScoobyDriver (edited April 17, 2001).]