235 on 8 inch wheel?

[perryair]

i currently run 225/45x17 bfg comp 2 a/s on my 17x8 rpf1's. i'm trying to plan for next year and a few runs at the local track but still keeping the tires on for weekend warrioring - so thinking of stepping into 235/40x17 falken azenis 615k+. was curious if anyone had experience with that particular setup or something similar? i'm on stock suspension dropped slightly on eibach prokits.

i'm assuming that the extra width and slightly smaller sidewall will give more solid steering input and perhaps a little harsher ride but more grip around the track. and im not sure that perhaps a different sticky summer tire in 225/45x17 might be better for the track runs?

[TommyW]

There's always a trade of on these things. More bite with more rubber doesn't mean automatically better lap times if you track your car . You may be faster in certain turns but slower in some and on the straights. The lower overall gearing with reduced diameter will also have an effect so you need to factor that in as well. Harsher ride on the street needs to be considered also.


The fact that you'll be doing a few runs at the local track tells me that you're probably not a serious track guy in the higher run groups. Honestly, in my experience, it's better to not go to more grip and learn to get comfortable with big slip angles first. Even stock tires are good for this. You'll end up being a better driver with less grippy tires first.

[perryair]

Originally Posted by TommyW

There's always a trade of on these things. More bite with more rubber doesn't mean automatically better lap times if you track your car . You may be faster in certain turns but slower in some and on the straights. The lower overall gearing with reduced diameter will also have an effect so you need to factor that in as well. Harsher ride on the street needs to be considered also.


The fact that you'll be doing a few runs at the local track tells me that you're probably not a serious track guy in the higher run groups. Honestly, in my experience, it's better to not go to more grip and learn to get comfortable with big slip angles first. Even stock tires are good for this. You'll end up being a better driver with less grippy tires first.

i've had my bfg all seasons on for going on 2 years at this point including taking them on about 6 hotlaps last year on that same track. even though i couldn't go all out cause of the nature of the hotlap trails i could feel the car get slower each run because 1) i was perhaps getting mentally fatigued but also 2) the tires just wouldn't hold. these also aren't as progressive as i'd like - when they slip the traction goes pretty fast - hence wanting to step into something more grippy..

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by perryair

these also aren't as progressive as i'd like - when they slip the traction goes pretty fast - hence wanting to step into something more grippy..

As a general rule, the grippier the tire the more abruptly they'll break traction... stiffer sidewalls make that worse too.

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by perryair

i've had my bfg all seasons on for going on 2 years at this point including taking them on about 6 hotlaps last year on that same track. even though i couldn't go all out cause of the nature of the hotlap trails i could feel the car get slower each run because 1) i was perhaps getting mentally fatigued but also 2) the tires just wouldn't hold. these also aren't as progressive as i'd like - when they slip the traction goes pretty fast - hence wanting to step into something more grippy..

Maybe look into a different 225\45 rather than going up in size. I'm currently on Yokohama ADVAN NEOVA AD08 R in a 225 and they have great grip and very predictable even in very fast corners. This is such a complicated subject. You need to look at the whole setup. Suspension, tires, driver experience, etc.

[perryair]

Originally Posted by wparsons

As a general rule, the grippier the tire the more abruptly they'll break traction... stiffer sidewalls make that worse too.

the wanting a gripper tire is more of a function of the whole thing - that i'm exploring the limits of the current tires even at not full out laps. but certainly point taken!

[perryair]

Originally Posted by TommyW

Maybe look into a different 225\45 rather than going up in size. I'm currently on Yokohama ADVAN NEOVA AD08 R in a 225 and they have great grip and very predictable even in very fast corners. This is such a complicated subject. You need to look at the whole setup. Suspension, tires, driver experience, etc.

there arent a lot of threads where i feel like its decent advice for my quetion, hence the post here. i guess generally im asking whether its worthwhile to step up in width first to see if 235 is too wide for an 8 inch tire but also whether a mostly stock car "needs" it or if the 'right' 225 is more than adequate?

[H1C]

The RT615K+ in 235/40-17 on an 8 inch 45 et wheel is my daily driving and track day setup. I am very happy with this tire for DD and track -- the grip is adequate; the tire is communicative; quiet for street driving; they don't pick up every little thing on the road; breakaway progressively; and they wear like iron.

For auto-x, they do not have anywhere the grip of an RE-71, but I have RE-71s on a set of 17 x 9s so ultimate grip was not what I was looking for in the Falkens. I discovered inadvertently yesterday that the Falkens aren't hopeless in snow either: I got caught in Benji as it passed through my area, and didn't get stuck. There were some pucker moments, but I was able to make it through a couple of inches of snow and get home. I saw a few other cars (a late-model Mustang in particular) get stuck on long hills that I was able to get up successfully.

I think the Falkens are a great choice for double-duty as a DD and track tire. I'd also look at the Continental ExtremeContact Sport. It's considerably cheaper at 225/45-17 than the Falkens at 235/40-17. I have the Conti DWS 06's on my winter wheels, which I need to put on asap, and their hydroplaning resistance and wet grip are astounding. I imagine the EC Sports are similarly good in the wet.

[H1C]

Originally Posted by perryair

there arent a lot of threads where i feel like its decent advice for my quetion, hence the post here. i guess generally im asking whether its worthwhile to step up in width first to see if 235 is too wide for an 8 inch tire but also whether a mostly stock car "needs" it or if the 'right' 225 is more than adequate?

For me, ultimate grip and the lowest times are not my goals for track days. My first goal is to get my car home in one piece. Next is to enjoy myself, learn how to control my car better, and not cause any other drivers trouble in the process. I couldn't care less about the lap times I'm setting at the track. I started track days in 2000, used to push a lot harder than I do now, and have crashed on track. After that, I re-thought my priorities for track days. Trying to extract every last bit of performance from the car isn't worth it to me anymore.

I don't think you'll go wrong with either the 225 or 235. They are both good sizes for an 8 inch wheel. Have fun and be safe out there.

[Teseo]

Originally Posted by H1C

For me, ultimate grip and the lowest times are not my goals for track days. My first goal is to get my car home in one piece. Next is to enjoy myself, learn how to control my car better, and not cause any other drivers trouble in the process. I couldn't care less about the lap times I'm setting at the track. I started track days in 2000, used to push a lot harder than I do now, and have crashed on track. After that, I re-thought my priorities for track days. Trying to extract every last bit of performance from the car isn't worth it to me anymore.

I don't think you'll go wrong with either the 225 or 235. They are both good sizes for an 8 inch wheel. Have fun and be safe out there.

Sometimes heros doesnt use a cape. I checked tire rack and they put the 225 azenis a lot cheaper than 235, i will try them next year. Im running 17x8 also

[H1C]

I think you'll like them -- it's a great tire for DD and track. I went with the 235/40 only because it's a couple pounds lighter than the 225/45.

[wparsons]

Compound and construction matter more than width, so IMO stick with a 225 unless you find a huge bargain on 235's somewhere.