Low grip skinny tires
 

Just looking for some low grip tires that would also cope with the heat of some track driving while still being predictable in both dry on wet conditions with the least amount of grip! :)
So far I have come across these:

Potenza RE 040 175/55 R17 81W

Nankang AS-1 165/50 R16 75V, alternative sizes 165/35R18 XL 82V or 165/65R15 81T
These are dirt cheap and have a way too small circumference for street driving. But could be fun to play around with on a small track.

Q- Above tires are performance tires. How do you guys think those tires would be in terms of grip compared to the Primacy HP 215 tires?

Nankang CW20 175/75R16C 101/99R
Cheap tires, circumference is only 2,5% smaller than stock. Not exacly performance tires since they are suited for "light commercial cars" :p Those tires could maybe be fun! :)

Q- Are there (decent looking) 5" wide rims out there that would fit the 86? :p

Q- Anybody have some good options?

People who don't get my questions or philosophy, please move on to the next thread. :)

Step down to 6"x16" rims, perhaps? You'll get better wheel selections for what you want to do and you'll have more sidewall, which means you'll be able to stretch better. Don't get commercial tyres, they'll be anything but predictable. Been there, done that.

LOL

you want to do one of these?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...0yNX-mY#t=221s

Has anyone else measured the actual tread width on the Michelin Primacy HP "215"s. Calling them 185s would seem generous.

You won't be loosing much tread with an actual 175.

Im not sure if I would do it,but its nice to play with the thought and see what options are available if would try it out once in the future.

Could maybe find some used 6x16 and put on the cheap Nankang CW20 175/75R16C 101/99R. Drive them on the street for some time. Abuse them on the track and shred them. Sell the rims afterwards..
Low cost, potentially great fun, and a fun experiment. :)

You have better options for low grip tires?
Im guessing skinnier performance tires like the Bridgestone in 175 are not that far from the Primacy HP in 215 in terms of grip. They are also expensive for an experiment project.

:wub:

wanna drift? add a 19mm sway bar in the back and run it full firm
stock tires will be fine

Actually..

All you have to do is go fast, i have absolutely no problems drifting the FRS in stock trim.

Hell, this car can break traction in 2nd gear at a mere 3-4000 rpm, just got to use the front wheels right.

Using the throttle alone I can't break the tires in second unless it's a hard shift to second or I'm applying the gas at near full-lock (making the differential break the tires)

well, yah, to drift you turn floor then counter. its not gonna do it in a straight line...LOL

All I am saying is you can achieve more driftyness with firmer rear end coils and beefy rear sway.

Maybe I would like that setup, but I doubt it. Stock balance seems to be fine and neutral.
Not sure if I would feel confidence in the car if it had way too much oversteer. It is a daily driver.
And while going to the track the car would have to much oversteer with track tires for competition use. In winter with winter tires car would have too much oversteer. To much work to fiddle around with stiff rear swaybar on and off and maybe in combination with coilovers.
Having some low grip summer tires just feels much more desirable. And it is probably cheaper and easier as well..

I'm already on winter rubber and don't want to switch back while it's still warm, since the car is so much more fun with lower grip, and winter tires don't squeal like mad every time they slip, unlike OEM Michelins that are trying to attract every cop around.

That said - low grip on the street is not what I'd do for day to day driving. I can totally understand it, however, on the track. It's a way to have fun at a lower speed. There will be grip-junkies at the track that will look at you with puzzled looks, just ignore them ;)

So I'm curious to see what you end up picking up.

gotcha! I'm that grip junkie, but also enjoy having fun like I was a teenager still!

Its not just about grip or drift. Its about the sensation of driving on the limit or balancing the car just a little beyond it.

When owning a RWD car, first proper snowfall and Im like a 5 year old on Christmas eve! :)
...Except im out driving my car and having great fun going 30mph in the corners without breaking the speed limit..

The grip level on wet pavement is just so much more fun to drive on compared to dry high grip conditions. In a RWD car that is... FWD is the complete opposite for me.