Tires for an STI in SM - Kumho or Hoosier?

[In2Deep]

I'm trying to choose between the Kumho Ecsta V710 and the Hoosier A6, unless there is a better choice... thoughts?

Car is a 2006 STI tuned to have 325whp running on 17's.

Suspension is a set of ZZYZX competition coilovers. Whiteline front and rear sway bars etc.

[Davidss]

Hoosiers are faster, and hoosier is still doing contingencies

Kuhmos are cheaper, last longer, and (depending on shoulder shape) handle less camber better

[pignoseSTI]

I run the hoosier a6 on my sti in SM, mainly because they are the only ones that make a 295/35/17. If Kumho made the 710 in that size, i'd run them locally as they last a whole lot longer than hoosiers. I'd run hoosiers nationally though just for contingency

[In2Deep]

Originally Posted by pignoseSTI

I run the hoosier a6 on my sti in SM, mainly because they are the only ones that make a 295/35/17. If Kumho made the 710 in that size, i'd run them locally as they last a whole lot longer than hoosiers. I'd run hoosiers nationally though just for contingency

What size wheel width & offset are you using, and did you have to modify fenders?

[pignoseSTI]

9.5 et 42 and I had to pull my fenders a lot. Still rub a bit though on hard bumps. Currently I get rubbing in the rear of the trailing arm and inside wheel well. I could run a lower offset but then they would rub the outside fender even more on hard bumps. They really need a 10" wide wheel or more though. I'd recommend a 275, less issues fitting that size

[steveRS]

Hoosier A6
285/18's is the tire to have on any SP or SM Evo/Sti

[In2Deep]

I thought people stayed away from 18's because of the increased rotational mass due to the weight of the wheel.

[mccanixx]

Originally Posted by In2Deep

I thought people stayed away from 18's because of the increased rotational mass due to the weight of the wheel.

Sometimes gearing is a bigger factor. 17's tend to be tall

If you concerned with being competetive and have the $$$ for additional sets, Hoosier.

If you can live with being a little slower and want longevity, Kuhmo's.

I've chosen to run hoosiers nationally but picked up a used set of Kuhmo's to tear up locally. The car would be set up differently for each........Kuhmo's seem to be a bit more prone to oversteer. At least on my set-up.

[CamaroFS34]

Originally Posted by mccanixx

Sometimes gearing is a bigger factor. 17's tend to be tall

+1 I'll be on 18s on my ESP car, but if I can get some 15x10s, I will likely switch to that.

And like others have already said -- A6 will be faster, but won't last as long.

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by CamaroFS34

And like others have already said -- A6 will be faster, but won't last as long.

Shawn and I are switching to Hoosiers for the rest of the '09 season. First event on the A6's will be this Sunday @ Fedex.

I hope we find them to be quicker as well.

[xcdhridr]

I had two events on the hoosiers last weekend (4 days total on them) and am feeling more comfortable with them. they are wearing quickly near the shoulders. I was able to finish 6th out of 129 (indexed) on sunday and 2nd (out of 123) monday. Damn chris dorsey killed me on points though.

I think they are faster than the kumhos I was running (same size) and they fit the rims better (18x10.5's).

[In2Deep]

So are you guys recommending 18's over 17's? I'm not too worried about the cost difference, just the performance.

The O.Z. Alleggerita HLT's I was looking at come in both 17 and 18's.

[CamaroFS34]

Originally Posted by In2Deep

So are you guys recommending 18's over 17's?

For me, the height of the 295/30R18 and the 295/35R17 were the same, and the tires weighed the same (according to Hoosier). So, it came down to the rim weight, and with the rims I was looking at, the 18s were slightly lighter.

[In2Deep]

Which wheel are you referring to?

[RS_to_WRX_swap]

Something to consider if you are serious about getting your car down to the minimum weight:

"Weight Adjustments
Cars running tires with a rated width of 275 mm or less on all four
wheels may compete at a minimum weight 200 lbs less than their
calculated weight." - 2009 solo rules appendix A