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Opinions On Wheels/tires For Autocross


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#1
Andy69

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Im not sure if this is the appropriate forum for this question but I'm sure someone will let me know : )

Ive got an 87 CRX Si I've been autocrossing. Right now I've got stock 13 x 5 with street tires and 14 x 5.5 with 185 60 Yokohama rain tires. I'd like to run 205s and here are my thoughts. I picked up a set of American Racing AR95. They aren't super light at about 14 lbs but I'm not sure how much that matters. They were cheap. The tires suggested to me were Hoosier Street TDs in a 205 55 14, reason being I will be driving to the events with the same tires and do full on slicks would be risky I think.

What do you think? Would something else work better? Do I need lighter wheels maybe?

#2
Mark L

Which class are you running in. SCCA?
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#3
rallyxcrx

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Get the widest, stickyest, newest, softest tires your class will allow with no compromise, this will help your autocross times more than any other single thing. Wide wheels are important, it's part of running wide tires. Lighter wheels are slightly faster, as they cut down on your rotating and unsprung weight. Get the lightest wheels you can afford. Dave

#4
Screech

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I like my Exospeed 13x7.5, they are only about 9lb each. I run a 225/50R13, but a member's CRX here I know is running a 245/??R13, I forget the wheel width.

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#5
dwend

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SMF here, so wheel size is open.
I run a 255/40-13 on a 13x10 for the front, and 225/45-13 on a 13x8 on the rear.
Been thinking about switching to 15s so I can use the 275/35-15 that is popular on the newer cars. But I think the 15 would be too tall for the gearing I want.
Wheels are Keizer 3 piece aluminum. 10lbs each

Edited by dwend, 18 December 2012 - 11:23 PM.

-86 CRX D16a1 swap
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#6
Andy69

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Which class are you running in. SCCA?


I haven't run any SCCA events yet and I haven't had it classed for any organization. The car was raced previously in I think ITB and ITE, and from what I can gather I guess that puts it in Street Prepared. In NASA I've been in the novice class but when that's over I have no idea, maybe NXE. That's just a guess though. The other events I've participated in have just been one big class. I plan to run it just as it is and not make any engine mods etc so once I get the right wheels and tires that will be it (famous last words.....).

Get the widest, stickyest, newest, softest tires your class will allow with no compromise, this will help your autocross times more than any other single thing. Wide wheels are important, it's part of running wide tires. Lighter wheels are slightly faster, as they cut down on your rotating and unsprung weight. Get the lightest wheels you can afford. Dave


I'll probably drop that kind of $$ eventually as I'm sure that will be a limiting factor. Right now I think the biggest thing holding my times up is the driver :)

I like my Exospeed 13x7.5, they are only about 9lb each. I run a 225/50R13, but a member's CRX here I know is running a 245/??R13, I forget the wheel width.


Wow. Those are wide. I wouldn't think by looking that there's enough room under those tiny fenders for that much tire. The PO ran a number of wheels/tires including 13" (don't know the width) with 205 series, 14 x 6.5 with 205 55, and maybe some others. They mainly ran Toyo Proxes in that size and I think the last set they ran were these with Kosei K1. It's hard getting the info as she mainly just drove but the person who handled all the mechanical stuff for her passed away last spring so she's having to figure it out as we go along. She thinks that the 205s were the widest that would fit (car is lowered as per SCCA specs for that class).

#7
rallyxcrx

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My used 13x10 Avon tires were 45 each, I bought them from Roger Krause Tires in Castro Valley CA. Then I bought some 13x 10 Aero wheels from Summit Racing for about 75 each, I got the lighter ones, but still made of steel. Aero wheels are 4x4", not 4x100mm like our cars, the bolt centers are off by .060, so I had to torque them down little by little at first, and I wouldn't do this with an alloy wheel as it could snap off. EP is one of the few classes you can run race rubber in, but the cars are highly modified so it's difficult to be competitive in this class. Running in a less modified class will require a DOT tire, and their are no good used street tires available. Used street tires can be dry with sidewall cuts, so they aren't as sticky, and could blow out. Always check the year of manufacture if you go this route, Dave

#8
Andy69

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Thanks for the perspective guys, good info to consider. I've been seeing a lot of people are running 13" wheels for autocross.

#9
E-AT_me

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what are your current modifications to the car? for a short time, i ran 225/45-13 on some 13x8 diamond racing steelies on my hatch in CSP.

http://www.redpepper...me/aag.jpg.html

http://www.redpepper...me/aai.jpg.html

why don't you want to swap when you get there?
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longest swap ever..... :(

#10
Screech

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what are your current modifications to the car? for a short time, i ran 225/45-13 on some 13x8 diamond racing steelies on my hatch in CSP.

http://www.redpepper...me/aai.jpg.html


Why does the tire say 235/45R13 on it?

Screech
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#11
PowerWheels86

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what are your current modifications to the car? for a short time, i ran 225/45-13 on some 13x8 diamond racing steelies on my hatch in CSP.

http://www.redpepper...me/aag.jpg.html

http://www.redpepper...me/aai.jpg.html

why don't you want to swap when you get there?


wow, what was the offset on those?
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#12
Andy69

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I ended up finding a set of Kosei K1-TS 14x6.5.  They had Victoracers on them but after 2 events they were shredded.  I replaced them with Nitto NT01s in a 205 55 14.  Spent some time with the PO getting the settings right on the suspension and the tire pressures and it's made a huge difference in the way the car handles.  I looked into 225s but I just don't see how they will fit, particularly on the rears.

 

I also spent some time tuning up the driver.  Last weekend I finished 2nd in my class (NXE) both days and overall 7th of 27 entries.  I think I can get more out of the car without making any mods, then maybe when I need a new set of tires picking up some A6s as I can run those without moving up a class.



#13
E-AT_me

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Why does the tire say 235/45R13 on it?

cause they are 235's.. sorry. i think they were like 4 inches backspacing or something? worked well. ;) 

 

glad you spent time on the driver. it's been a while for me. 


1986 Civic Si; b16a is in.. just gotta get it running..
longest swap ever..... :(