Which wheels/tires for '17 PP in DS (autocross)
 

I ran CS last year with takeoff wheels/tires from my 2004 WRX, which were the 5x100 STI +53 wheels and 225/45/17 RE-71R. The tires got me to 200 runs, but I'll surely need something new this year.

I have two options for wheels:

• STI 5x100, +53, 15.7lbs - these barely cleared the front struts and I fear with RT660 or A052 that run wide they won't. A 3mm spacer might allow clearance, but can't confirm.

• Stock performance pack wheels, +48, 20.8lbs. Heavier by 5lbs, but give an extra 5mm clearance without a spacer. Would easily fit 225's.

The difference is 5lbs per wheel in weight, or 10% of the overall mounted wheel/tire together. This might affect handling and power, but might be negligible.

Not looking to go all in and buy new wheels with a lower offset as I'm probably going to STX long term.

Tires:

• Safe: 225/45/17 RT660 - baseline and safe choice. Should get through the 20+ event calendar, $200 cheaper.

• Risky: 225/45/17 A052 - The quicker tire. May not make it through 20 events, $200 more. A guy running 0.6* camber on a GS Civic did get 150 runs last year before they literally disintegrated.

• Wildcard: 235/45/17 in either on the PP wheels only. I'm not sure these would clear with the PP +48 offset and a 3mm spacer combined. Not sure if it's worth the extra increase in diameter, reducing the effective gear ratio, but increasing top speed in 2nd.

Please help make this decision and something that would fit. Thanks in advance.

Huh, I didn't realize that bumped the PP down with the base models. I wonder if that means I can upgrade my brakes and stay in street?

My vote goes to the STI wheels with a small spacer. You'd be able to run whatever spacer you need since they are more offset than stock. At that point you'd run out of stud well before you break the rules.

As for tires, of the options you have, I'd go RT660. I'd consider the Maxxis VR-1 also. Pretty competitive, and there is an SCCA discount.

Yeah, as of this year. Kinda bummed. I was neck and neck in CS with the S2000's and Miatas last year, but now with the Civic Type R in DS, the twins are not competitive at all. Everyone in our region ran out to buy one over winter. We now have 8 people running them with highly competitive drivers. 265 wide tires and 300HP...

Thanks for the input. I'm leaning towards the RT660's for longevity sake. The STI wheels are very light for what they are, but the offset is disappointing. I'm hoping the spacer works.

I guess if it doesn't, I could just bite the bullet and mount them on the PP wheels with the spacer too. $$$ in tire mounting out the window though.

I don't know if extended studs would remove you from CS but that would help you run a little bit larger of a spacer. I know you mentioned that any spacer larger than a 3mm would bump you out of CS but the other guy mentioned since the offset is different you can run a little bit bigger spacer maybe? I'm not very SCCA rule savvy so I don't know how to interpret these rules all I know is that I'm in STX with what I have done.

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Sti bbs wheels are 17x8, stock perf pack wheels are 17x7.5 if I’m not mistaken.

You aren’t legally allowed to run a wider wheel in C or D street.

I’d vote the 225/45 660’s on stock wheels, less weight than the larger tire, probably hold up better with stock equipment camber limitations. (Also symmetric allowing you to flip them) Throw some crash bolts at it if you haven’t already.

The 2004 STi BBS wheels were 17x7.5 +53 clear Brembo calipers and are 5x100 the 2005-2007 STi BBS wheels were 17x8 and 5x114.

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I'm also not ready to go all-in with new wheels either in case I move to STX.

Has it been well documented that a 225/45R17 is the faster tire on 17x7 wheels? I'm not fully convinced since they're heavier and these 200TW tires all run wide. However, If I was to make a choice between the sizes/tires you've listed, I'd probably go with the A052 in 225/45R17. That tire is lighter than other similarly-sized tires by 1-2lbs.

I'm battling my own decision tire decisions as well but leaning towards my wildcard of 215/40R17 Maxxis VR-1s. I'm not sure if this size has been tested on the BRZ but you'll get a lighter tire and the tread width will fall somewhere between a stock 215/45R17 and 225/45R17. Plus, it's a smaller OD tire so you'll get more torque / closer gearing.

I've heard of people locally topping 2nd in 2012+ BRZs. So, I figure if there's a chance that I'll need to go into 3rd with my 2017+, I might as well do it earlier!

If your only differentiating factor is tire width. Wider is faster in autocross. Even if it feels mushy, the times will be faster. Just look at the ES Miata setups. They run way wider tires then you should on their 6" wide wheels, because it's faster.

Does the PP get you 17x7.5?

Get ARP extended studs and run 5mm spacers. OEM studs will inevitably break on you.

You can't go wrong with 225/45/17. I've run my FR-S in CS and DS and CS again since 2012. I've tried 215/45, 235/40, 235/45, 245/40 on 17x7 and they all worked fine. I have had my best results on 225/45 and 245/40. If the PP has 17x7.5, I would try the RT660 in 235/40 of the choices on your list.

I expect to continue using 225/45/17 as long as I'm running in CS. When my set of RE71R die this season, I will be trying the 225/45 Kumho V730 or Nankang CR1 if other drivers prove they're in the ballpark of the Yokohama A052. I used BFG Rival S 1.5 for the past few years with good results too, but they did not wear as well as I had hoped in DS trim. I don't love the feel of the RT660, but it is a good tire.

Yes, 7.5".

235/40 ($190) prices are actually much more than 225/45 ($137). Seems like it's an oddball size because 245/40 is $159. All RT660 pricing. Yoks don't even come in 235's. The Yoks just went up in price another $8/tire...

I drove the RT660's on a SSC setup car back to back with mine a few runs and the car and the tires had more grip than my aging tires. They felt vague it seemed, although I know most don't report that. Maybe heavy is the word, but they're only about 1lb heavier. I dunno, the feel was off.

I'm leaning more towards just sticking to 225/45. I have to face it - with 8 CTRs running in my local region, I won't be getting top times in class. Even the RT660's in 225 with be a huge upgrade from the 200 run RE's I had last year.

I'm interested in your take on the Kuhmos and Nakangs. Really haven't heard much talk about them and I'd honestly doubt they'd be in Yok territory or we'd all be hearing about it by now.

Thanks for the feedback though.

Depends on the course. Our non-SCCA group that runs in a local swimming pool parking lot you'll never top out of 2nd, so the 2017+ has a bit of a gearing advantage.

Our SCCA group as a larger lot and makes more national, free flowing courses. It seems like at one point on the course my 2017 is on the limiter. Sometimes just a touch, other times it's kind of aggravating and I feel bad for the car.

Once last year I was well into 3rd through the back slalom and through the finish. I usually don't head into 3rd if I have to get back into 2nd though.

They are both brand new for 2021, but I'm sure many people will be trying them this year. The Nankang needs more sizes to show up to be eligible, but it might be okay? I think the Kumho V730 will be really good, but we`ll see. I loved the V720, but it got a bad reputation for delaminating. I only bought the RE71R at the end of last year because Bridgestone had a killer sale.

Early reports on the Nankang CR-1 are saying that are similar (and potentially on par) with the Yok A052s.

So for better or worse I purchased a set of light weight 18x7.5 wheels for my sons 2017 PP in DS.
I now realize my 200TW for autox in 18", 25" diameter tire selection is pretty limited.
Any recs on size and tire for DS in 18s?
Besides my +1" wheel 2017 PP, this would also pertain to the BRZ tS, and the 2nd gen BRZ that runs 18"x7.5" et48 oem sizes.

Here are some choices I'm considering .

245/35/18 Conti Force. Close to OEM diameter. But wide on narrow wheel.
235/40/18 rt660. Nankang cr1. V730. These are all taller than stock, probably worse gearing
225/4018 rt660. Z3. Close to OEM diameter but narrow.

He will have limited DD use and primary autox use for these wheels and tires.
My son is learning, so no AD08.