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Old 02-18-2005, 09:15 AM   #1
faststeak
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Default What size tires for AX on an '05 STI?

I'm going to be running AS this year in my new '05 STI. I'm thinking about trying some RA-1's but I'm wondering what size. I was considering 255/40/17. Also, I have a set of Rota Torques (17x8), and I was wondering what wheels would work better for the R's, the stock BBS (also 17x8 now) or the Rota wheels. Not sure there is a big enough difference to worry about it. The main reason I'm thinking about Toyos is the $750 gift certificate for Toyos I won last month. Otherwise I'd probably be thinking about V710 Kumhos.

This car is going to be a lot different than the Miata I ran last year on Azenis.

Thanks
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Old 02-18-2005, 10:02 AM   #2
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Steve...

Congrats! My opinion is to use the BBS wheels for autocross. They are as light as anything else on the road and because they are forged, not cast like the Rotas, they may be safer -- The STi is a heavy car with immense power and grip. The STi tends to be quite hard on tires (or I do, not sure which)... so budget for that.

I've not run the RA-1's on an autocross (just on the specmiata) but I've heard very good things about them and the gift certificate makes it a no-brainer, but they may not like the lack of camber in the front end of the STi. The Kuhmo 710's are also getting great reviews and I'll be running them for the El Paso nationals if I get to go. Kuhmo designed them to be tolerant of camber-challenged cars like ours. Right now I'm running the V700s and have found them very good for the STi. The only tires I have had bad luck with are the Dunlop Sport Race which I had to buy when the V700's were in short supply.

By the way, the 710's come in either 245 or 275 for a 17". I have an 04 with the 7.5" wheels so I would prefer the 245's.You have the 8" wheels, so the 275 might fit without too much tread curl. However, Kumho recommends a 9" wheel for the 275, so I'd be careful about using the 275. Toyo also recommends a 9" wheel for the 275. As they say.... YMMV

Now you just have to figure out how to get the beast to rotate and how to ignore the weird things the DCCD does. Enjoy!!!
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Old 02-18-2005, 10:41 AM   #3
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I run a 275 710 on a 7.5" rim with no problems. Mounting them took a while though.

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Old 02-18-2005, 10:42 AM   #4
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My wife is currently using RA-1s for her WRX wagon (running in DS). Driving her wagon at an AX school and the Subaru Challenge (Norhteast?) is all I've done on R's so far. All my other AX time has been in a Miata on Azenis and somewhat worn stock tires. They certainly do stick well, but I'm wondering if we should have gotten them shaved before running them. They have an odd bumpy wear pattern now. And they are VERY loud! I think she's going to get them flipped around soon. Maybe that's the result of being camber-challenged?
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Old 02-18-2005, 11:30 AM   #5
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I am running AS with my 05 Sti this year as well. Currently using some Rota Slipstreams (17x8 - 48 offset) and some shaved 255/40-17 Kumho Victos on them. Which, fit just fine on a stock 05 STi. The combination weights exactly 47 lbs, and on the same scale the stock BBS & RE070's weight 47 lbs as well. So, at least I am not adding weight from what I drive everyday.

If I used the BBS wheels to autocross the weight would come down about 6 lbs a wheel (3 lbs less a wheel and tire), but I would rather not mess up those wheels as they are much more expensive to replace. I went with the kumho victos because they are a great value (performance & price). 710's would have been my 1st choice, but the budget did not allow.

I was considering the RA-1s as well, but they are a bit more expensive than the kumhos, and from my research are more of a track day tire. Take more time to warn up and not as good for autocross, but I am sure willlast much longer. I used to run Azenis sports on my STX WRX and the r-compound kumhos stick sooo much better than them. It is a different world.

Last edited by rankink; 02-18-2005 at 11:36 AM.
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Old 02-18-2005, 11:56 AM   #6
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you can fit 275's on s 8 but its pretty tight...255 would probably be the best choice if your racing local....national stuff...the tires will be to narrow.....

You might have a clearence issue as well on the rear unless you go with a different offset....48mm might be tight back there for a even a 255...so you might consider a 43 offset for race only type situation..

Bill
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Old 02-18-2005, 12:07 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooby South
you can fit 275's on s 8 but its pretty tight...255 would probably be the best choice if your racing local....national stuff...the tires will be to narrow.....

You might have a clearence issue as well on the rear unless you go with a different offset....48mm might be tight back there for a even a 255...so you might consider a 43 offset for race only type situation..

Bill

I have the 255/40 on my 17x8 rotas with the 48 offset and there are no clearance/rubbing issues front and back. 275's would be extremely tight though.
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Old 02-18-2005, 12:42 PM   #8
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I'm just not from the 'more is better' school of thought when it comes to wide tires on narrow wheels. Maybe I need to reconsider....
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Old 02-18-2005, 12:59 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KoneKiller
I'm just not from the 'more is better' school of thought when it comes to wide tires on narrow wheels. Maybe I need to reconsider....
Neither am I, and would never put the 275's on the 8 inch wheels. The 255's are the max, but are not overdoing in my opinion.
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Old 02-18-2005, 01:06 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rankink
Neither am I, and would never put the 275's on the 8 inch wheels. The 255's are the max, but are not overdoing in my opinion.

For sure on the STi a 275 is going to be faster than a 255. It don't think there is a safety issue running 275's on a 8" wheel either.
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Old 02-18-2005, 01:13 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rankink
I am running AS with my 05 Sti this year as well. Currently using some Rota Slipstreams (17x8 - 48 offset) and some shaved 255/40-17 Kumho Victos on them. Which, fit just fine on a stock 05 STi. The combination weights exactly 47 lbs, and on the same scale the stock BBS & RE070's weight 47 lbs as well. So, at least I am not adding weight from what I drive everyday.

If I used the BBS wheels to autocross the weight would come down about 6 lbs a wheel (3 lbs less a wheel and tire), but I would rather not mess up those wheels as they are much more expensive to replace.
Why would autocrossing on them mess them up?
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Old 02-18-2005, 01:23 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ButtDyno
Why would autocrossing on them mess them up?
I wondered the same thing; but didn't ask.
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Old 02-18-2005, 01:25 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by del105
For sure on the STi a 275 is going to be faster than a 255. It don't think there is a safety issue running 275's on a 8" wheel either.
educate me, please.... why would it be faster?
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Old 02-18-2005, 01:27 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrBiggly
I wondered the same thing; but didn't ask.
Well... on my extra set of BBS's, multiple trips to the tire shop for swaps/flips has led to a little more damage than the set that see's only street duty.... although one curb strike or pothole could change that.
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Old 02-18-2005, 02:21 PM   #15
rankink
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KoneKiller
Well... on my extra set of BBS's, multiple trips to the tire shop for swaps/flips has led to a little more damage than the set that see's only street duty.... although one curb strike or pothole could change that.
Also, on some of the courses I run if you overshoot a corner, rear end gets loose, etc. you go off into gravel real quick. Which will scratch wheels up real quick especially if you go sideways into them. It has happened to me and I have seen it happen to others many times as well. Plus, the flat black slipstreams go with my black numbers, helmet, etc.
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Old 02-18-2005, 02:38 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rankink
Also, on some of the courses I run if you overshoot a corner, rear end gets loose, etc. you go off into gravel real quick. Which will scratch wheels up real quick especially if you go sideways into them. It has happened to me and I have seen it happen to others many times as well. Plus, the flat black slipstreams go with my black numbers, helmet, etc.
cool... just be sure to keep an eye on them. They are not forged.
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Old 02-18-2005, 02:43 PM   #17
rankink
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KoneKiller
cool... just be sure to keep an eye on them. They are not forged.

of course... I fully inspect wheel, tires, suspension, etc the day before each race.
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Old 02-18-2005, 02:48 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KoneKiller
educate me, please.... why would it be faster?

about 1" more grip...and better load distribution..on all 4 corners...meaning more contact patch in ANY given scenerio..= MORE Grip....Better cornering loads..

315's are what some ESP contenders are going to run on STi's this year...

Bill
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Old 02-18-2005, 02:53 PM   #19
rankink
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooby South
about 1" more grip...and better load distribution..on all 4 corners...meaning more contact patch in ANY given scenerio..= MORE Grip....Better cornering loads..

315's are what some ESP contenders are going to run on STi's this year...

Bill
Of course those 315's on on 8.5 - 9 inch wheels I would assume.
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Old 02-18-2005, 03:10 PM   #20
del105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KoneKiller
educate me, please.... why would it be faster?
Beside Bill's points, I have driven both sizes on the STI and the 275s are faster and that was on a 04 with 7.5" wheels. The only semi successful national level AS STi I've seen is Larry Fine's running 275's.
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Old 02-18-2005, 03:11 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rankink
Of course those 315's on on 8.5 - 9 inch wheels I would assume.
um.....shhhhhhhhhhsh................9.5's....

Bill
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Old 02-18-2005, 03:12 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rankink
Also, on some of the courses I run if you overshoot a corner, rear end gets loose, etc. you go off into gravel real quick.
Fortunately the courses in our area are relatively gravel free. And the porta-jons are pretty easy on the wheels It's the curbs...

Go with the RA-1's, particularly if they're heavily subsidized. They'll stand up to new car syndrome-based mistakes better than the alternatives (, said the guy who made a bunch while switching from his 2 seater to a subie).

That said, those weird grooves on you all's other set would give me pause, too.
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Old 02-18-2005, 03:16 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by del105
Beside Bill's points, I have driven both sizes on the STI and the 275s are faster and that was on a 04 with 7.5" wheels. The only semi successful national level AS STi I've seen is Larry Fine's running 275's.
with spacers? any rubs?
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Old 02-18-2005, 03:28 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rautox
Go with the RA-1's, particularly if they're heavily subsidized. They'll stand up to new car syndrome-based mistakes better than the alternatives (, said the guy who made a bunch while switching from his 2 seater to a subie).

That said, those weird grooves on you all's other set would give me pause, too.
We were running them at full tread depth. I was wondering if they should have been shaved first. But then again, our first autocross with them was in the remnants of Hurricane Ivan at the Subaru Challenge. If I hadn't told the wife not to put anymore gas in it the night before I would have been a lot faster. I was 4th in DS, by .001. Can you say Fuel Starvation?

We did an autocross school at the end of the year, late october I think, and the tires were really noisy, almost sounded like something rubbing, but it was just tire noise.
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Old 02-18-2005, 03:31 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KoneKiller
with spacers? any rubs?
No spacers no rubbing. I hit a wall with the front of my car and from then on the right rear rubbed a little on full compression but not much. I quickly got out of AS when I realized the car is only competetive in prosolos and heavy rain.
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