20" rims used in autocross vs oem 17" rims. please help.
20" rims used in autocross vs oem 17" rims. please help.
Hi fellas, I need some help please. I went to my first autocross event this weekend and I turned in great lap times including one fastest lap of the day time. I did that on my 20x9.5 and 20x10.5 heavy *** 3 piece wheels with 255/30/20 and 285/30/20.
I am going to attend more autocross events but I don’t want to continue burning through these tires as they are expensive. I have my oem 17” wheels (17x7.5 and 17x8) at home. Each wheel probably weighs 6-8 pounds less then my 20” wheels. Would it be better to run my oem wheels vs my 20” wheels? I understand that the weight difference will help but will I by losing something by going to a much smaller width wheel? I always thought that having such a large width wheel I would have better traction but after a little research I am beginning to think that it doesn’t matter. Will I lose something because my oem wheels do not have a flush offset and my 20” wheels do? Is any adv/disadvantages using a 17" wheels and 18" beside weight(considering somehow I find a way to afford new wheels)?
BTW I cant afford to buy new rims so I have to use my oem wheels or my 20” wheels. I appreciate any assistance including tips on things I am forgetting to take into consideration. Thanks.
I am going to attend more autocross events but I don’t want to continue burning through these tires as they are expensive. I have my oem 17” wheels (17x7.5 and 17x8) at home. Each wheel probably weighs 6-8 pounds less then my 20” wheels. Would it be better to run my oem wheels vs my 20” wheels? I understand that the weight difference will help but will I by losing something by going to a much smaller width wheel? I always thought that having such a large width wheel I would have better traction but after a little research I am beginning to think that it doesn’t matter. Will I lose something because my oem wheels do not have a flush offset and my 20” wheels do? Is any adv/disadvantages using a 17" wheels and 18" beside weight(considering somehow I find a way to afford new wheels)?
BTW I cant afford to buy new rims so I have to use my oem wheels or my 20” wheels. I appreciate any assistance including tips on things I am forgetting to take into consideration. Thanks.
Last edited by Ali Shah; Jan 17, 2011 at 05:19 PM.
A few questions:
1) what kind of tires are you using now?
2) what kind of autox rules are you running in your area?
3) how streetable do you want your car and how competitive do you want to be?
I would recommend running on the 17's. The big question is whether or not you're willing to go to an R-compound tire or want to stick with a sticky street tire. Most people new to the sport start with a sticky street tire and graduate to R-comps after a couple years, or some stay with the street tires as you then don't have to change tires at the event.
A 235/245 width sticky street tire like the RE11, AD08, or Direzza Star Spec is a good start. If you want to go with streetable R-comps, you could do R888, NT01 if you want to go faster at the expense of wear. The fastest R compounds like V710's and Hoosiers are when you get even more competitive and don't mind changing tires.
1) what kind of tires are you using now?
2) what kind of autox rules are you running in your area?
3) how streetable do you want your car and how competitive do you want to be?
I would recommend running on the 17's. The big question is whether or not you're willing to go to an R-compound tire or want to stick with a sticky street tire. Most people new to the sport start with a sticky street tire and graduate to R-comps after a couple years, or some stay with the street tires as you then don't have to change tires at the event.
A 235/245 width sticky street tire like the RE11, AD08, or Direzza Star Spec is a good start. If you want to go with streetable R-comps, you could do R888, NT01 if you want to go faster at the expense of wear. The fastest R compounds like V710's and Hoosiers are when you get even more competitive and don't mind changing tires.
A few questions:
1) what kind of tires are you using now?
2) what kind of autox rules are you running in your area?
3) how streetable do you want your car and how competitive do you want to be?
I would recommend running on the 17's. The big question is whether or not you're willing to go to an R-compound tire or want to stick with a sticky street tire. Most people new to the sport start with a sticky street tire and graduate to R-comps after a couple years, or some stay with the street tires as you then don't have to change tires at the event.
A 235/245 width sticky street tire like the RE11, AD08, or Direzza Star Spec is a good start. If you want to go with streetable R-comps, you could do R888, NT01 if you want to go faster at the expense of wear. The fastest R compounds like V710's and Hoosiers are when you get even more competitive and don't mind changing tires.
1) what kind of tires are you using now?
2) what kind of autox rules are you running in your area?
3) how streetable do you want your car and how competitive do you want to be?
I would recommend running on the 17's. The big question is whether or not you're willing to go to an R-compound tire or want to stick with a sticky street tire. Most people new to the sport start with a sticky street tire and graduate to R-comps after a couple years, or some stay with the street tires as you then don't have to change tires at the event.
A 235/245 width sticky street tire like the RE11, AD08, or Direzza Star Spec is a good start. If you want to go with streetable R-comps, you could do R888, NT01 if you want to go faster at the expense of wear. The fastest R compounds like V710's and Hoosiers are when you get even more competitive and don't mind changing tires.
2. Right now I am doing it for fun so there really isnt any rules.
3. I still want my car streetable and that is why I was thinking about running my oem 17s at the track. I want to be competitive.
thanks for the advice. I am probably going to stay with a sticky street tire instead of R-comp. I will only put on the 17" wheels on the car when I get to the track.
Am I limiting myself with sticking to oem wheels with smalls widths and weak offsets vs some wider 17" or 18" wheels with better offsets? Are my oem wheels with stickier tires still better than my 20x9.5/10.5 wheels with hankook v12s?
Thanks for all your help
What size tires are you running on the 20's?
While the Hankooks are a good tire, the sticky 17's will likely be faster. And yes, you could go even faster if you went with a fatter 17 or 18' tire (say like a 275 or wider) but you'll definitely need wider rims. To go even faster, R-compounds are the ticket. Once you get bitten by the racing bug, going faster and faster never ends
While the Hankooks are a good tire, the sticky 17's will likely be faster. And yes, you could go even faster if you went with a fatter 17 or 18' tire (say like a 275 or wider) but you'll definitely need wider rims. To go even faster, R-compounds are the ticket. Once you get bitten by the racing bug, going faster and faster never ends
a problem i am running into is the only proper tire size available, in the type of tire i am looking for, that will work on my oem wheels in 245/45/17 all around even though i have a 7.5" wheels up front and 8.0" on the rear.
the overal diameter compared to my 20s is .34" smaller up front and 1.05" smaller on the rear. my car is to low as is so goin that low will rip my front lip off. if any brand sold a 255/45/17 then overal diameter would be much closer to stock but unfortunately no brand sells that size in the type of tire i am looking for.
any suggestions? am I screwed and have to end up buying new wheels?
the overal diameter compared to my 20s is .34" smaller up front and 1.05" smaller on the rear. my car is to low as is so goin that low will rip my front lip off. if any brand sold a 255/45/17 then overal diameter would be much closer to stock but unfortunately no brand sells that size in the type of tire i am looking for.
any suggestions? am I screwed and have to end up buying new wheels?
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my 20" wheels? they are a off brand 3 piece wheel. the owner of dcr wheels made another brand called saventi http://americanforgings.com/
Last edited by Ali Shah; Jan 20, 2011 at 10:41 PM.
Tell him to stop being a wiener and make lightweight forged wheels...
I know Savini's well.
You post a lot or repeat threads and chain replies.
Buy some 18" 350Z track wheels, throw aggressive tires on them and use them as your track wheels. ($1000 track set up)
I know Savini's well.
You post a lot or repeat threads and chain replies.
Buy some 18" 350Z track wheels, throw aggressive tires on them and use them as your track wheels. ($1000 track set up)
sorry i meant saventi. i will check out the 350z wheels you mentioned. thanks for your help.
btw i am not sure what you meant when you said "You post a lot or repeat threads and chain replies."
btw i am not sure what you meant when you said "You post a lot or repeat threads and chain replies."
The 245/45/17 is the one you want and you're right, no max performance tires come in 255/45/17 or 245/50/17. You either have to get some different rims or risk going with the smaller diameter tires. I don't see a quarter inch in the front being too much of an issue though.
The 245/45/17 is the one you want and you're right, no max performance tires come in 255/45/17 or 245/50/17. You either have to get some different rims or risk going with the smaller diameter tires. I don't see a quarter inch in the front being too much of an issue though.
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