Meaty Tire Thread

[Trust86]

what's the reason people run stretched tires? is everyone "stanced"?
or is it because they like the rims to take curb rash before the tire does?
not trolling. legitimate question.

[civicdrivr]

I foresee this thread going down the tubes.

Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk

[churchx]

Trust86: stretching reduces sidewall flex. Origin was to stiffen in cheap/hackish way sidewall in normal (cheap) street tires to make sharper turn in/steering by amateur drifters/touge drivers (hmm, wasn't it called "hipari"?). Cheap/hackish way to do that, at expense of smaller contact patch, risking separation of tire from rim, easier to damage wheel sides, heavier wheels (weight increases not just from diameter but also from width). But later it become overhyped, at some scenes seemed cool, and most often then not was done for looks. These days with better tire choice for any taste with any sidewall stiffness and more modern suspensions i see no reasons to do that with practical sense. Why get cons if you can get wished result in normal ways?

[Metabrz]

Originally Posted by Chanpion

I can't prove it on the BRZ setup but generally, a thinner tire in the front will have better turn in. Physics wise, think of it as these two examples, two wheels far apart and twowheels close together. Now imagine the distance between the two tires in these two examples as the width of a single tire. When 2 wheels are far apart, one wheel does all the turning while the other wheel creates understeer. Now for example two, place these two wheels close together in the middle. They both act together to turn instead of one creating understeer/ one wheels slower than the other. Now squish this theory into a single tire. Larger the tires, the greater the travel circumference between the inner and outer side of the tire.
That's why some people run a staggerred setup with thinner tires in the front for better turn in and entry speed. This is my best shot at a simple physics lesson.
So physics wise, a skinner tire may be faster. There's so many variables though. So whoever you quoted may actually be right.

In my experience a wider tire will improve turn-in. I think you're mistaking 'easier' for 'better' and that may be your preference but for me that's not the case.

The car has more lateral grip and thus negates under-steer better with a wider tire. Yes, the momentum of a wider tire may be higher and therefore turn-in requires more effort and accordingly turn in on a skinnier tire may be 'easier' due to lower momentum but for my money that not does not mean 'better'.

I've gone from 215/45/17 to 245/35/18 back to 215/45/17 and now on 255/35/18 in the three years I've owned my car and for me, on balance for spirited back country road driving, wider tires provide a much improved driving experience through grip and stability primarily.

The downside is tram-lining and a reluctance to return 'on center' but I got used to these and just enjoy railing corners at speeds that are far in excess of what I've experienced (and are comfortable doing) on skinny road tires.

Edit: running staggered tires will not reduce under-steer, it will increase it.

[Metabrz]

iPhone pics

[mrlamjo]

TOYO R888 - 265/35/18
Camber - F: -3/R: -2

[Bamsterman]

Hopefully soon enough I'll be a part of this thread...well, I actually already bought the wheels. Just need coilovers and tires. Lol

[Pekingduck]

Originally Posted by mrlamjo

TOYO R888 - 265/35/18
Camber - F: -3/R: -2

I had similar and it look like I would have to run to aggressive alignment setup, but now I am regretting getting rid of it.

[mrlamjo]

Originally Posted by Pekingduck

I had similar and it look like I would have to run to aggressive alignment setup, but now I am regretting getting rid of it.

LCA is all that is needed

[showoff3civic]

Ambit 18x9.5 +38
Dunlop Spec star II 265/35 18

front: -1.7
Rear: -1.5

St Coilovers

Front Fenders pulled 10MM

[sactownbwoy]

Originally Posted by showoff3civic

Ambit 18x9.5 +38
Dunlop Spec star II 265/35 18

front: -1.7
Rear: -1.5

St Coilovers

Front Fenders pulled 10MM

I see you are running Star Specs. So few people run them. I have them also, 255/40, and I love them. Your setup looks nice

[civicdrivr]

I used to run them as well but switched to the PSS. They weren't bad but they didn't last long.

[Bamsterman]

Originally Posted by showoff3civic

Ambit 18x9.5 +38
Dunlop Spec star II 265/35 18

front: -1.7
Rear: -1.5

St Coilovers

Front Fenders pulled 10MM

Exact set up I want. Already have the wheels. Was it needed to pull the front fenders, or was it more of a precaution?

[JoeHK]

Got my wheels & tires installed today
Squared setup is as follows: 18x9.5 ET44 (Rota RKR) with 255/35/18 Hankook Ventus V12. Also, my car is lowered around 35mm on Bilstein B14's