Wheels? Tires? WHAT?

"Not a Sunburst Miata" (moezsayani)
08/09/2017 at 10:10 • Filed to: None

Hey Oppo, I’m a little stuck with my BRZ. It’s a daily driver but I’m hitting track days at MSR once a month and autocross with NTAXS when it doesn’t interfere with track days BUT I’m stuck on my wheel/tire options.

I’m currently running 17x8 Enkei RPF1s which barely clear the Brembos as track/autox only wheels. They have BF Goodrich gforce Comp 2 tires with 30-40% tread left in them, but have seen so many track days that they’re barely more grippy than the stock primacies.

Now I’m trying to decide it I want to up the size of the track wheels and get TE37 or TC105N in an 18x9/18x9.5. They both will weigh more per corner than the RPF1.

Also what tires? Should I get the Potenza RE71R or wait for the new Pilot Sport 4S? Direzza star specs or just get another set of the BF Goodrich gforce?

All this choice is making my head spin.

Photo for your time.

DISCUSSION (29)

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 10:22

I’m running RE71Rs for autocross, but I’ve been hearing very good experiences with the BFG Rival S 1.5 by comparison, and now wish I’d tried them when I got new tires in June. Is that what you are currently using? If so, I’d say you are probably better sticking with the known setup rather than switching to RE71Rs in particular.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 10:22

What size are you running?

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 10:33

Is there a problem with ‘barely clearing’? As long as it isn’t touching, I’d keep the 17s; lighter weight and cheaper tires.

random001 > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 10:37

Pilot Super Sports!!!

Not a Sunburst Miata > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com
08/09/2017 at 10:41

I’ve got the BF Goodrich gforce Comp 2, not as much grip as the RE71 or Rival S.

These were the set that came on the wheels for free when I purchased them, so I didn’t have a choice, but now that I do, I want something with more grip since I’m not going to be driving them on the street.

Not a Sunburst Miata > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/09/2017 at 10:41

Currently 235/40/17, I want to try and up it to 245/45/17 or 235/45/17.

TahoeSTi > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 10:42

RE71R Unless you can fit the RE70 it’s on sale right now and also a great tire...better as a DD than the 71R...the 71R is a better track day tire.

Not a Sunburst Miata > TahoeSTi
08/09/2017 at 10:43

The tires wont be DD, I’ve got the stock wheels/tires for that. I’m looking for tires to mount specifically on my track wheels and use only at autox/track days.

Not a Sunburst Miata > Future next gen S2000 owner
08/09/2017 at 10:45

235/40/17, but the next set will be 235/45/17

Not a Sunburst Miata > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 10:46

got Kinjad with the comments. link to the current clearance. I feel like I’m one stuck rock away from damaging the wheel/brakes.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/my-caliper-clearance-is-terrifying-1793778189

WRXforScience > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 10:47

I’m a DFW autocrosser (Sam, red BRZ, 14STU), and I’ll be at NTAXS next week.

The RE71R are the tires to have in autox (the Rival 1.5s are as fast, but they cost more). Stick with 17's so you can save on tires. I just picked up a set of 949 Racing 6UL in 17x9 , which will clear my AP Racing Sprint Kit without spacers. I run a 245-40-17 RE71R and it works for both track and autox. Honestly, your Enkei’s are a pretty good setup and will work fine with a 245 tire (I ran a set of 17x8's with 245s for years at autox). You might just want to get some extended studs and spacers (the fronts are super easy to do, plus the stock studs are pretty soft).

NTAXS doesn’t have stringent classing; however, if you decided to come out for an SCCA or ER race you’ll need to adhere to one of the SCCA classes (looks like you are in an STX build, which allows up to 9" wide wheels and 265 tires but no one runs bigger than 255).

It is not a bad idea to run on cheaper tires for a few events before switching to good rubber. You learn more with less grip. Your first 4-5 events are straight up learning experiences and you’ll get as much or more out of running the primacy or daily driving tires than actual race rubber (the sticky stuff can mask mistakes).

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 10:52

RE-71Rs on RPF1s.

Cash Rewards > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/09/2017 at 10:53

So, what you’re saying is that it doesn’t matter if it’s by an inch or a mile, clearing is clearing?

Kinja'd!!!

TahoeSTi > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 10:54

RE71R would be my choice.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 10:55

If the RS-4's are as any good as the RS-3's, get the RS-4s. Cheapest per set in that size and will stick just as well. If the wheels clear, why change? Lighter wheels are always a good idea.

I stuck a 255/40/17 on a 17x8 wheel. There is room to go wider if you have the clearance.

Not a Sunburst Miata > WRXforScience
08/09/2017 at 10:59

I rode in your car at the 8/6 day! You helped me break 70 in my first autox event haha (Mo, white BRZ). I’m mostly focused on track days since that is what I’m building my car for. Aiming for 1:28s NA at MSR Cresson without slicks, but I’m hoping to find a tire that can work for both track and autox. I just signed up for the ER event on 8/20

WRXforScience > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 11:08

I ran a 1:26.6 on the MSR 1.7 CCW on the 245 RE71R’s, they are more than capable at the track (NASA had to add extra points to them since they were so much faster than ordinary 200 tread wear tires). I haven’t had any issues with them at MSR or Texas World Speedway (I can still put down some of my fastest laps at the end of a 20min session, so they must not be overheating).

Textured Soy Protein > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 11:10

I see no reason to junk your wheels. With the stock tire size of 215/45-17, you could step up to a 245/40-17 and be over an inch wider than stock but only 1/10 of an inch taller than stock. An 8” wide wheel is a hair on the narrow end of things for this size but still would work.

Comp 2 and Pilot Sport 4 are street oriented high performance summer tires. RE71R etc are 200 treadwear autox/track focused tires. Pick which category you want first and then pick something within the category.

If you’re worried about your caliper clearance, get some wheel spacers. Just measure your fenders for clearance first.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 11:19

I recommend sticking with the RE-71R

Jayhawk Jake > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 11:25

Sport Comp 2 or just Comp 2? I have the Comp 2 A/S for daily, I haven’t autocrossed them but I can tell on the street they aren’t even remotely close to as much grip as RE71R.

If you plan on autocrossing a good amount just get the RE-71R. They are incredibly popular for a reason. I didn’t catch the entire conversation, but I overheard one of the really, really experienced autocrossers I know talking to someone about the Rival 1.5 comparing it to the RE-71R and it sounded like in testing it by swapping back and forth on the same course the RE-71R was more consistent and faster.

Just be glad you’re shopping at a small size, the RE-71R is painfully expensive for my car...

AkursedX > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 11:27

Kinja'd!!!

I have the same issue with caliper clearance on my RX8. 17x9 RPF1's fit as long as the wheel weights are as close to the spokes as possible.

As for tires, RE-71's if you can afford them. I run Falken RT615K+’s and they are ok, but I definietely get outperformed by the RE71's at auto-x events. But my local SCCA chapter has a contingency program for Falken, so I deal with it for the two free tires I’ll be getting.

HideyoshiJP > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 11:57

Man, spending money on TE37s seems crazy if you’re only on the track a few times a month. Then again, having them on the street would scare me more. You never know when a curb will jump out at you.

Not a Sunburst Miata > AkursedX
08/09/2017 at 12:22

the 17x9 RPF1 are notoriously poor for caliper clearance. they use a really interesting design trick to cut weight but makes fitting them over BBKs a pain in the ass.

Not a Sunburst Miata > HideyoshiJP
08/09/2017 at 12:27

That was the initial reason I got the RPF1. I got them used but in brand new condition, they had less than 200 miles on the wheels before the seller decided he didn’t like the look. I just paid him for the wheels and he was too lazy to take the tires/TPMS off and just gave them to me like that.

When I bought them I was planning on buying TE37 for track use but the deal was too good to pass up.

Decay buys too many beaters > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 14:07

18s are gross, go with 17s. Specifically rpf1 17x9 +35

For tires, the Nexen SUR4 feels like and rs-3 and is way cheaper

Not a Sunburst Miata > Decay buys too many beaters
08/09/2017 at 14:51

RPF1 17x9 +35 don’t clear the Brembos on the BRZ with performance pack, otherwise I would have gotten them instead of the the 17x8s i have now.

Decay buys too many beaters > Not a Sunburst Miata
08/09/2017 at 14:54

Wait, really?! Damn, I assumed it would clear fine because it clears a bunch of aftermarket calipers. Oh well.

Not a Sunburst Miata > Decay buys too many beaters
08/09/2017 at 14:58

In this post on the Vorshlag blog, he mentions the caliper clearance. They’re near my house so I went by to order GLoc pads and they tried to test fit the 17x9

http://www.vorshlag.com/forums/showpost.php?p=58446&postcount=12

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Not a Sunburst Miata
09/08/2017 at 14:51

If youre going to have a dedicated track set, get a nice set of Maxxis RC1. They are 100TW and I love them. They take forever to heat up for autocross so I imagine they would do well on the track.

That or the Nitto NT01s or the Toyo RRs