What's the deal with 225/55R16 Kuhmo V700's?? AutoX tire help please!

swaun · 03-22-2001, 08:28 AM

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

ANZAC_1915 · 03-22-2001, 09:00 AM

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

Darshu · 03-22-2001, 10:12 AM

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.

ColinL · 03-22-2001, 12:35 PM

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).]

webkris · 03-23-2001, 11:16 PM

Ahhh! Crap! Back to the drawing board.
Kumho V700 225/50/16's

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!

GTBGUY · 03-23-2001, 11:21 PM

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

RidinLow · 03-23-2001, 11:22 PM

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

webkris · 03-23-2001, 11:54 PM

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.

I've been wrong before...

- Kris

ANZAC_1915 · 03-24-2001, 08:04 AM

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

Patrick Olsen · 03-24-2001, 09:02 AM

Kris (who only has 18mm and isn't afraid to admit it

) - 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

webkris · 03-24-2001, 05:23 PM

Like this?!

<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!

bill harvey · 03-24-2001, 05:57 PM

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

webkris · 03-25-2001, 01:10 AM

Pat - Leave the size of my bar out of this!

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

. We're damn Americans without the metric system. - Kris

Gambit · 03-25-2001, 01:29 AM

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.

D-WRX · 03-29-2001, 11:34 AM

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

priebe · 03-29-2001, 07:55 PM

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

ConeMasher · 03-30-2001, 05:48 AM

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

-- ConeMasher

rjones · 03-30-2001, 07:44 AM

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

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.

ConeMasher · 04-17-2001, 09:05 PM

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)

ScoobyDriver · 04-17-2001, 09:38 PM

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

<IMG SRC="http://www.thebestisp.com/~squadra/tire1.gif" border=0>
<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).]

03-22-2001, 08:28 AM	#1
swaun Scooby Newbie Member#: 5051 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Blacksburg, VA USA	What's the deal with 225/55R16 Kuhmo V700's?? AutoX tire help please! 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

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03-22-2001, 09:00 AM	#2
ANZAC_1915 Moderator Member#: 456 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Redmond, WA, USA Vehicle: 2008 Forester XT Steel Gray Metallic	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

03-22-2001, 10:12 AM	#3
Darshu Scooby Specialist Member#: 1676 Join Date: Jun 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Yes, meatwad, with actions Vehicle: 98RS w/ EJ207/Hydra 2002 BMW M5	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.

03-22-2001, 12:35 PM	#4
ColinL Scooby Guru Member#: 114 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wichita, KS and Whoring, OT Vehicle: '03 Evo, Rice White '01 Erion CBR 929	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).]

03-23-2001, 11:16 PM	#5
webkris NASIOC Supporter Member#: 70 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: The country of California Vehicle: I sold WRX to buy Dodge Neon Rally Car	Ahhh! Crap! Back to the drawing board. Kumho V700 225/50/16's 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!

03-23-2001, 11:21 PM	#6
GTBGUY Scooby Specialist Member#: 2003 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Vehicle: '99 BGP Legacy GT '98 QS Legacy L (auto)	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

03-23-2001, 11:22 PM	#7
RidinLow Scooby Guru Member#: 329 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: 1999 C5	Yes, but the 6.5" wide rims have an even greater offset of 55mm so you still may be rubbing.

03-23-2001, 11:54 PM	#8
webkris NASIOC Supporter Member#: 70 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: The country of California Vehicle: I sold WRX to buy Dodge Neon Rally Car	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. I've been wrong before... - Kris

03-24-2001, 08:04 AM	#9
ANZAC_1915 Moderator Member#: 456 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Redmond, WA, USA Vehicle: 2008 Forester XT Steel Gray Metallic	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

03-24-2001, 09:02 AM	#10
Patrick Olsen NASIOC Supporter Member#: 120 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Where the Navy sends me... Vehicle: 1997 Legacy 2.5GT QuickSilver Metallic	Kris (who only has 18mm and isn't afraid to admit it ) - 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

03-24-2001, 05:23 PM	#11
webkris NASIOC Supporter Member#: 70 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: The country of California Vehicle: I sold WRX to buy Dodge Neon Rally Car	Like this?! <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!

03-24-2001, 05:57 PM	#12
bill harvey Scooby Specialist Member#: 10 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Aisle 3 next to the nuts Vehicle: 1998 2.5RS Brilliant Red	i know they aren't as sticky as a auto-x tire but yoko a032r come in 205-55r16

03-25-2001, 01:10 AM	#13
webkris NASIOC Supporter Member#: 70 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: The country of California Vehicle: I sold WRX to buy Dodge Neon Rally Car	Pat - Leave the size of my bar out of this! 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 . We're damn Americans without the metric system. - Kris

03-25-2001, 01:29 AM	#14
Gambit Scooby Specialist Member#: 102 Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: The meeting place	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.

03-29-2001, 11:34 AM	#15
D-WRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 4672 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Pembroke Pines, FL, USA	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

03-29-2001, 07:55 PM	#16
priebe Scooby Newbie Member#: 1761 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: South Bend, IN, USA	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

03-30-2001, 05:48 AM	#17
ConeMasher Scooby Specialist Member#: 2135 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Silver	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 -- ConeMasher

03-30-2001, 07:44 AM	#18
rjones Scooby Newbie Member#: 1477 Join Date: May 2000 Location: Cambridge, MA Vehicle: 2003 wrx wagon silver	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 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.

04-17-2001, 09:05 PM	#19
ConeMasher Scooby Specialist Member#: 2135 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Silver	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)

04-17-2001, 09:38 PM	#20
ScoobyDriver Scooby Newbie Member#: 195 Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA Vehicle: 1974 VW Type I Porsche Stone Gray	Not Kumho, but quite fat Dunlop's (8.25" cross section.) <IMG SRC="http://www.thebestisp.com/~squadra/tire1.gif" border=0> <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).]