Best Wheel and tire size for grip
 

What is the best wheel and tire size for grip for the BRZ?


I have 17x7.5 stock wheel but wondering if I should go bigger/wider for better traction.



Thanks.

Hello!

When talking about grip, there are many levels of grip that are possible.

Generally, a tire upgrade is more than enough for the cars power and chassis dynamics, especially if you want to retain the neutral feel with minimal body roll and still have playfulness. Usually, going wider wheel is done for big brake, or track purposes.


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Read:
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67345

DD or track? Stock suspension? NA or FI?

I prefer stock 215 for playfulness, my PS4S at 215 is pretty grippy for DD. I don’t want to add weight, lighter tire/wheels are a must for the twins.

225 with grippy tires could start to show weak points in the stock suspension.

Thanks all for the responses :) I see I need to give more info...



My current setup is all stock - I have the 17x7.5 wheel with stock Michellin Primacy tires (215) and have big Brembos and Sachs Dampers (which are stock but got them thru the upgraded sport package at Subaru).



I want to get the Hankook Ventus RS4's and add some camber for next season, but was wondering if I should also get the bigger wheel to fit more rubber. This car is basically only for the track, except for running errands (in the sense that I don't need a daily driver because I work from home).



I've only been to the track 3 times now at Cayuga, so I am still new and learning - but I do feel that I could benefit from some more grip - here's a vid of me at the track - I get between 1:30 and 1:33 on the track typically.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztg28cutpw8

Keep the stock tire size and get stickier rubber.
Maybe up to a 225 but no more.

Depending on wheel setup 245's are a tight fit with the OE suspension due to the diameter of the springs. Adding camber using camber bolts also reduces the clearance between the tire and spring. With those things in consideration you will likely want to run a 225. 235 may fit, but I haven't tried it. I personally don't care for the RS4's. Something to consider is being on OE suspension, you are going to get a ton of body roll with a big 200TW tire. Maybe consider something like the PS4S or Conti ECS.

If I stick with the wheels I have and get 225 tires would -1degree camber be good? Is there any downside to adding some camber?

You should be able to get -2ish with camber bolts. Take as much as you can get.

For time attack purposes I run stock suspension with camber bolts, plates, and rear lower control arms (SPC are zero pips in OTA). By maxing out the camber plates and dialing in -3.1* camber up front I'm able to fit 255 RS4's on all 4 corners running 17x9 wheels. Due to a bad engine and the chaos of 2020 I haven't been able to log a proper lap time at TMP but I should be able to hit 1:25 and hope to drop down to a 1:23.

That said; I'm running that setup for time attack and have been running that track for years (albeit in different vehicles). Since you're still learning I think a ~300tw in a 225 with a lightweight wheel would be more beneficial. Run as much camber as you can get (evenly) on camber bolts and just get a ton of seat time.

Running the right amount of camber is as much about getting the maximum duration of use from your tires as it is about max grip. Doing a lo of hard cornering? Lots of camber will wear more evenly (instead of shredding the outside shoulder). Commuting a lot? Lots of camber will wear the inside more.

I had about -2 on my WRX for DD and had plenty of wear on the inside of the tire. Typical camber wear. Also depends on your commute and how many miles. I would not go to far unless you like buying tires. If it’s a weekend/track toy then have at it.

I am -3.2F/-2.2R with barely perceptible camber wear.

I'd get RS4 is stock size and call it a day. Keep in mind the tire will be wider than stock tires. 200 TW tires run wider.

I wore out three sets of 205mm RS3's and am just now thinking about going wider. You'll learn more about car control with narrower tire and 215mm is plenty IMO.

To offset the inside wear from my camber settings on my DD I go with 0 toe in up front. She runs prefect with at setting.