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Tire & Wheel Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack |
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01-03-2005, 07:19 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 68729
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Hacienda Heights
Vehicle:2005 WRX Sti Crystal Gray Metallic |
What's the logical upgrade for 17x8 Sti wheels with 225/45/17 RE070?
I'm more into true performance than the look...so I want to make sure everything I do to the car is functional and not cosmetic...the car is daily driven to work (15 miles per day) and I plan to attend as many track day as possible in the future (may be at least every 2 months)...so what do you guys suggest for the best wheels/tire upgrade route?
a) Stick with the stock Sti wheels and tires b) Stick with stock Sti wheels and just upgrade to 235 width tires (Azenis?) c) Upgrade to aftermarket light weight 17x8 wheels with 235 width tires (anything on the market that actually beats the Sti wheels weight?) d) Upgrade to 18x8 wheels and 235 width tires (Is there any benefit in doing this since the wheel width is the same and 18in wheels weight more)
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01-03-2005, 08:12 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 69667
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lost in Memories...
Vehicle:JGTC Cusco' STi WR1 Contemporary Hair Design |
If you choose performance, then i recommand 17x8(light like the SSR Comp) with 245/35/17. I think Proxes4 has that size, but they do have it on 18 for sure.
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01-03-2005, 08:54 PM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 64756
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: queens ny
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im looking into a 18x8.5 wonder if you can fit the extra .5 inch and get a 18x9??? what tire size do you think will fit?? even better who knows the formula to see if it fits i use to know it but forgot..
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01-03-2005, 09:06 PM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 18713
Join Date: May 2002
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Time is the Enemy
Vehicle:06 CRV 04 STi |
the oem wheels are strong and light. the oem tires are long wearing and have stiff sidewalls. both are good choices for track use, where you're out for the learning, not necessarily to run fastest lap times.
there are other tires that are good choices too, and other wheels. getting an extra set of track wheels and tires would free you up to run less aggressive street tires for normal and rain use, if you wanted to do that. another thing to watch for is that the azenis tires are built pretty wide, so check to see if people are running the 225's or going to the 235's. |
01-03-2005, 10:17 PM | #5 |
*** Banned ***
Member#: 16200
Join Date: Mar 2002
Vehicle:OK buy Nates beans westcoastroasting.com |
A 245/40 should fit on the stock rim...and your tire choices are varied and if you plan on street driving it....I'd buy a second set of wheels for track only tires.
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01-04-2005, 12:25 PM | #6 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 31338
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: jersey is french for car thief
Vehicle:1998 wrangler I still miss my sti |
I'm in the same boat. I just put pilot sport a/s on factory rims for winter, factory rubber is in the garage. I can't wait to get them back on. They had great wear for 5k, we'll see how they do this season. I will be attending several de events as well, really want to drive to them with same tires/wheels. All tracks near me are over 3 hours away, and my favorite is 17 hours away.
Aftermarket wheels are either expensive/lite or affordable/heavier. That said, I assume your track time will be limited vs. daily driving. Do you want to put an expensive wheel off at a track, or a cheaper one? Some off track areas are smooth, others look like something Solberg would clip the apex on. I'm not sure what your tracks are like or your experience. How aggressive will your de events be? Tire wear is probably the main issue, depending on run group. Slightly heavier rims shouldn't hold you back at a de event, there is no trophy afterall. Crazy track rubber isn't really streetable, unless you live nextdoor to the track. I would get a set of Rotas, $700 bucks. Try out some Kumhos or insert tire brand here, 40/245 if you feel the need for a larger footprint. You can street them and track them, and your sti rims/tires will be waiting for you at home. I would suggest looking at some suspension mods after a session or two, that would definitely be a bang for the buck issue. Much more value for serious track work, as well as a harness bar and 3" harness. Ditto for shoes, gloves, and a comfortable helmet. 18s would be the last thing I would put on my car, especially for track. There just isn't a need/benefit that would make it worth it, especially for weight. I am hoping to pick up an extra set of 05 sti rims, but they are harder to find, especially for a cheap price. I am debating on Rotas if I come upon some extra money. Have fun at the track! |
01-04-2005, 10:14 PM | #7 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 69667
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lost in Memories...
Vehicle:JGTC Cusco' STi WR1 Contemporary Hair Design |
05 STi rims 18" Gold are SOoooo limited right now. Hope they make some more for this Spring, but again, $$$. I know the Works are having one specific for 05 in March and GC-05F for the 05 is in next month.
LOVEee the GC-05F, i think it is the BEST looking of all. |
01-05-2005, 11:50 AM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 58031
Join Date: Mar 2004
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Austin, TX
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I say you could try a 255/40/17 on stock wheels...
You could get Super Soft Rims, I mean SSRs in 17x8.5 when they come out... In personal opinion, if you plan in staying with a 17" wheel, then I wouldn't recommend that you change the rims unless you have money and can slap on some VOlks or something nice, light, and forged. But whatever you do... since you are into performance, as you stated, go for the widest tire you can afford If you want to go 18", then its just a matter of finding a wheel that you like. Go for 8.5" if you are into performance which means that your selection is more limited. I personally wanted the 18x8 RPF-1 but the vendor's service (who's name I wont mention but can be easily looked up) was less than stellar... So I went with 18x8.5 FN01R-Cs... which Im glad I chose. These are available in 5x114 for your car... |
01-05-2005, 12:44 PM | #9 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 36712
Join Date: May 2003
Location: RHE, SoCal
Vehicle:2003 WRX Wagon WRB |
Quote:
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01-05-2005, 01:21 PM | #10 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 58031
Join Date: Mar 2004
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Austin, TX
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yeah, I have to agree about the Proxes 4... I have them on my 18s but only because of daily driving. Had I not cared about this.. I would have gone with something a lot more aggressive like a Pirelli Corsa, Kumho MX, or Dunlop Super Sport Race. Also, 35 series is VERY short. 245/40/17 isn't so bad compared to stock STi rolling diameter. 245/35 is what you run when you have 18s. You dont want to run 245/45/17 because that is too tall.
Also.. if you have 05 rear fenders... and have 17x8s stock, then why not consider seeing if 255s will clear? IMO I think they will fit. For the track, I plan on some 17x8 Rota Boosts with 255s on em at least. I might try for some 265 for track use only. |
01-05-2005, 03:25 PM | #11 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 69667
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lost in Memories...
Vehicle:JGTC Cusco' STi WR1 Contemporary Hair Design |
So your rims will fit on a 05 STi too?
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01-05-2005, 04:12 PM | #12 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 58031
Join Date: Mar 2004
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Austin, TX
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The rims you see in the above picture? Yes, they were released in 5x114 a short time ago.
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01-06-2005, 03:38 PM | #13 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 69667
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lost in Memories...
Vehicle:JGTC Cusco' STi WR1 Contemporary Hair Design |
Thanks, but is the Bronze really dark like the Work Emotion Ca Kai? Because i have a Java Black one so i don't want the rims to be dark too.
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01-06-2005, 03:56 PM | #14 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 58031
Join Date: Mar 2004
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Austin, TX
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I think the shade is juuust right.
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01-11-2005, 05:58 PM | #15 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 55553
Join Date: Feb 2004
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: DIrally.com
Vehicle:2001 Impreza 2.5RS |
Quote:
The stock STi rims are light and strong, and since im a novice at the track, this is what i am going to learn on. In the future, once i have some experience then i will consider spending the $$$ to get some better rims, but for now i dont think its going to make that much of a difference to a novice driver. |
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