ok, so i've run a few solo 2's this year and thinking about a tire upgrade. i run in stock class and have the re-92's. i've finally learned to put enough air pressure in them :)

anyway, i was thinking about getting new tires. but, i was thinking it'd be nice to stay in the stock class thus keeping the factory 16" wheels. i'm taking delivery of my cobb turbo-back this week, but was going to hold off until later in the year to install it so as to avoid going to stx "before my time".

the question for all you experienced guys and gals is this: would it be worth getting new tires this year (that pull double duty - summer and auto-x)? can you really get decent performance over stock even though you've got such a tall sidewall (205/55 16")?

furthermore, is the benefit of going to a 17" wheel next year (stx class) going to out-weigh the added rotational mass? otherwise i was thinking stick with a good summer/auto-x tire on 16" rims and then next year (stx) getting a lighter 16" wheels.

ps. i hate being the loudest on the course with the ska-ah-weel of the re-92s! but if i don't push them hard enough to cry out then my times a couple seconds slower.

-steve

Hey SG-
I'm in Wisconsin, and have a set of RS wheels with azenis I just got mounted, they're 215/45/16. I know you want to keep them on your stock wheels, but these would fit nicely and be much better than the re92s. If you bought these they'd be a decent start for STX, otherwise I may be able to split the tires off the rims if you're interested. Check out the thread:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598570

Jay

the question for all you experienced guys and gals is this: would it be worth getting new tires this year (that pull double duty - summer and auto-x)? can you really get decent performance over stock even though you've got such a tall sidewall (205/55 16")?

In stock you can use any tire that fits on the stock wheel. A common size is 225/50-16 (for width) and 215/45-16 (for gearing). Seeing as these tires are going to be daily driven, I would say find some good 225/50-16s street tires as the 215/45-16's would throw off your speedo/odo by a good margin. (Sorry thechickencow)

furthermore, is the benefit of going to a 17" wheel next year (stx class) going to out-weigh the added rotational mass?

I think I can say without a doubt that 17s are better for this car as:
1) There's a better selection (brand) of street tires available in 17" sizes
2) There's more widths available in 17's (225/45 --> 245/40) in those tires. (With the exception of the 245/45-17 Azenis... don't use those; too tall)

otherwise i was thinking stick with a good summer/auto-x tire on 16" rims and then next year (stx) getting a lighter 16" wheels.

There's nothing wrong with getting 16's, don't let me dissuade you, but next year you may find (as others have this year... there's a thread going on about this here in motorsports somewhere) that the WRX doesn't particularly like 16" street tires as you can't find one with a decent enough sidewall and width... especially if you don't have a greater than stock camber adjustment range.

[B]ps. i hate being the loudest on the course with the ska-ah-weel of the re-92s! but if i don't push them hard enough to cry out then my times a couple seconds slower.

-steve That's all driver... you need to be smoother on the inputs... and not turn the wheel as fast. Slower is faster in auto-x... by not overdriving the tires, you'll have more available traction to use. I've taken people's cars prepped with team re-92 rubber and run times about 4-6 seconds faster than they could. It's all about seat time. ;) Don't blame the rubber... it's only doing what you tell it to do.

--kC

No mention of R-compounds? A definite choice if you want to be competitive in your stock class. Of course, you would need a spare set of rims.

Or maybe chickencow could let you "borrow" his setup for an event. And you can see how you like them.

well i dunno, i'm generally discouraged at the use of my stock rims and getting a set of sticky tires. although it's a very feasable option for stock class, it sounds like the best thing is to just do 17" rims with the good tires. i guess i say this mostly because i'm going to end up in stx next year anyway due to other changes (my turbo-back just arrived!).

by the way, the lastest issue of Sports Car mentioned something about all awd turbo cars being bumped to stx class next year - it's on the table or something?

so, i think i'm going to save the $400 on new tires now and apply that towards new rims and tires for next summer.

thanks for the input.
steve

I agree with KC, they aren't going to be great for daily driving, because the speedo will be off (and mileage will vary).

If you were looking to pick them up to put on stock wheels for this season running stock class (maybe index street tire class?), they'd be good.

well i dunno, i'm generally discouraged at the use of my stock rims and getting a set of sticky tires. although it's a very feasable option for stock class, it sounds like the best thing is to just do 17" rims with the good tires. i guess i say this mostly because i'm going to end up in stx next year anyway due to other changes (my turbo-back just arrived!).



You can run a cat-back in stock classes. And why are you discouraged to use your stock rims? I have a set of 02WRX rims that I use specfically for auto-x.

You can run a cat-back in stock classes.

But not a turbo back, which is what SgWRX said just arrived.

You can run a cat-back in stock classes. And why are you discouraged to use your stock rims? I have a set of 02WRX rims that I use specfically for auto-x.

maybe discouraged isn't the word. more like concerned that it would be the best choice for me when on the other hand i can save the dough now and get 17" next year.

if your plan is to go to STX next year anyway, i'd just focus on improving your driving this year. the best way to to do this is not change the car too much, though i do understand how terrible the re92s are ;)

Sg-

Do you autocross in Milwaukee? If so I've probably seen you there. Come say hi sometime. I'm guessing you're # 914, I just haven't come and said hi.

If you're there tomorrow and i see you I'll try to say hi. I'll be in my rally car.

Jay

Problem is you are in snow country, otherwise, the Falken Azenis Sport are the perfect stock tire replacment choice. I ran an entire year on the Azenis sport in stock sizing, in DS, and was able to pull 1st for the year against a BMW 328is on race rubber (Kumho Ecsta 700's). We went back and forth for 1st and 2nd, so that should give you an indication of how good the Azenis's are. The only issue is that they are not going to cut it in the snow and heavy rain. In So. Cal. they are fine, even on the days we get a couple of inches of rain.

I would say try one of the lessor Falkens such as the 415, or one of the new Kumho's. All these tire should be in the $70-$90 range, a piece, so they are cheap enough. You will be simply amazed at the difference between these and the RE-92's. The RE-92's can be driven hard, but it really takes finese, that I only learned after a year on the Azenis sports.

IMHO, if you have the $$$, Id say get the 17's with a good summer tire now (maybe a Kumho MX), and a set of 225/50/16 Kumho Ecsta V700 for your stock wheels. Use the 17's for street, when winter comes, pop the RE92's back on the 16s and then you have your setup for this year and next year. You might even get lucky and find some used V700s now or sell your used ones next year.

Next year you can do a near stock size or slightly larger tire on the 17's and do a smaller tire on the 16's and have a quick way of changing gearing at the event.

There are lots of options for you, I think if you are serious about improving your times getting R tires now will do it. You may find it painful to go back to streets after you experience R tires though. Or save the V700 $$$ and just drive and race on the 17's this year too. Basically, it comes down to how much $$$ do you want to spend, like most things automobile related...

IMHO, if you have the $$$, Id say get the 17's with a good summer tire now (maybe a Kumho MX), and a set of 225/50/16 Kumho Ecsta V700 for your stock wheels.

NO! Not the Ecstas. Stick with the Victoracer V700s (unshaved). The Ecstas on the other hand _must_ be shaved for autox use... and the WRX is too heavy and camber-challenged for the tire anyway. It will eat the shoulders in no-time flat.

Once you spend a season on the Victoracer V700s, you can decide if V710s or Hoosiers are worth the extra investment.

-- Gary

jay - yes i do the milwaukee solo 2. i'm the SRP 919F. i believe i remember your car, but can't put a face/name to it. i'm terrible with names! i wasn't able to make the wai event this weekend. however, i wasn't aware of them until last week! so next year i hope to get to all of them as well as scca. august and sept. are going to be sucky months for me because of a lot of travel coming up for work. so i don't know yet if i'm going to be make any more this year - ugh.

ideally it seems like lightweight 17s clad in race rubber would be great, then my 16s with summer tires (s03's or f1's) and then changing their dressing for winter would be a great thing to do. one thing for sure though, i'm not a street racer so ride, noise and wet traction would be the thing for the summer tires.

ideally it seems like lightweight 17s clad in race rubber would be great, then my 16s with summer tires (s03's or f1's) and then changing their dressing for winter would be a great thing to do.

17 R-Tires would be ESP or SM. I thought you were considering STX or DS?

-- Gary

uh, i'd better re-read my rules then. yes i'm looking at stx.

The Ecstas on the other hand _must_ be shaved for autox use... and the WRX is too heavy and camber-challenged for the tire anyway. It will eat the shoulders in no-time flat.

i disagree. mine _weren't_shaved and did just fine. granted, my car isn't quite as heavy as a WRX, but its just as camber limited. the kumhos held up great! i got a full year out of them. just doing local asphalt stuff, two seasons would have been reasonable. the shoulders held up fine, unlike, say the POS Avons.

uh, i'd better re-read my rules then. yes i'm looking at stx.

You must run street tires (defined as a treadwear rating of >= 140 and not on the "excluded list") in STX. No race rubber allowed.

And 17" wheels on a WRX would not be legal for stock (wheels must be same width and diameter as standard) class.

See http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/index.html for a quick guide, if you don't have a rulebook (or if you're like me, and never remember to bring the rulebook CD with you to work!!)