Hello all.

I know there are hundreds of questions here about wheel and tire sizes but if you could indulge me a moment, I hope someone could help me out a bit as I'm having trouble deciding on what to do.

I plan to compete in SCCA Solo2 this year and would like to have a dedicated set of wheels and tires for doing so. I want to preserve my factory wheels and get a performance benefit from a better tire for autocrossing. However, I want to stay eligible for BStock class.

I have 18" wheels on my Touring model and as everybody knows, the choices of tires for 18" wheels are minimal. But, asI read the rules, I believe I can go to the factory sized 17x7.5(front) and 17x8(rear) and still stay in BStock which would give me a lot more choices as far as tires go.

Since I'm not trailering my car and have about a 40 mile round trip to our events, I have to stay with streetable tires....as a compromize, I'm leaning toward 245/45-17s all around and in either the Yokohama AVS Sport or Kumho ESCTA MX.

My question is, does anyone think that going to the Yokohoma's or Kumho's would be a significant enough improvement to warrant the expense or should I just wait until I'm ready to move to BSP and/or until I'm ready to buy a trailer (which would then allow me to use a true competition tire)?

Any thoughts/insights would be welcome.

Thanks!

 

Firstly if your car came with the 18's you must stay with that size to be legal. If you want to be competetive you will need r-comps, since the kumho 710s dont come in the right size for the 1`8in wheels I suggest hoosier A3S04's 275/35/18 or you could possibly fit the 285/30/18 maybe. As far as wheels go the enkei rp02-j would be a decent choice but you would need a spacer in the front to fit the wider tire. (remember you can only be +- 5mm offset.) The Rp02-j is a 35mm offest so you would most likely want a 10mm spacer up front and long hub bolts both of which are legal.

Then again if you dont care about winning kumho MX and another set of stock touring wheels would be perfect.

Same goes for BSP, as far as I'm concerned the 350z will never ever win BSP divisionally or nationally. So I wouldn't worry about having the fastest rubber or the lightest tire, because the weakest link in a competetive BSP car is the car itself and not the tires.


Also as far as the trailer goes Da`lan is working on a hitch now. Until then I use a set of blackwatch racing wheel bags and just carry the wheels in my car. Its not that bad and I have driven over 10 hours with the wheels, tools and a cooler in my car.

 

I would suggest the Dunlop SP Super Sports if you have never driven on an R compound tire before. they are on sale for a VERY good price at Tire Rack Dunlop SP Super Sports You will have a learning curve with a set of R compounds so you might as well get the cheapest you can at first then go for something a bit better and more expensive after you figure everything out.

Edit: got a little ahead of myself there. The Kumhos are excellent if you need something streetable. Also roark has designed a trailer hitch that will handle a class one trailer to carry your spare set of wheels and tires and what not.


Dustin

 

So can you have Dunlop SP super sport as a daily driver tires? It's not really an R compaund right? Just super high performance kind?

 

The ones that I hyperlinked are strict race tires. They are called SP Super Sport Race. They have a 60 wear rating. Definately would need another set.

 

I've wondered if a set of 4 would fit so I guess this confirms that they do. How did you arrange them? Were you able to close the rear hatch? I figured I could fit 4 in there but doubted I would be able to close the hatch - that would be a big problem with our summer afternoon showers.

 

with the spare removed I put one there I put one resting on the plastic thing behind the seats infront of the rear strut bar. I put 2 in the front seat standing up next to each other. It is by no means comfortable or even safe, since you lose the rear view and the right side mirror. It does get the job done though. The 2 in the front seat are really cramped in there. I have actually been contemplating strapping one onto the outside of the rear hatch, just haven't tried it yet.

 

How many can you fit standing up in the hatch and then be able to secure the hatch? I don't have the car yet so I can't just go see what fits.

 

You can't even fit one 275 back there unless you remove the spare. Then you can fix exactly 1. but you can also fit one infront of the rear strut.

 

. I have actually been contemplating strapping one onto the outside of the rear hatch, just haven't tried it yet.

I was thinking about it too... Seems to be too dangerous for the finish, no matter what you do to protect it.

The other way I was thinkin about is a rails on the roof, so two or 3 wheels can be put on top of the car...

 

As soon as I get my car I'm going to talk to my Mechanical Engineering professor to see if we can come up with a solution to this problem. I have a few ideas similar to the tiretail but would attach like a bike rack though I have no access to a car so its all theoretical now. Right now I guess the only thing is a member designed hitch system to pull a trailer.

 

thats what I meant for the roof

 

Actually, after thinking little more, I came up with this:





installation point is already there, it's very strong lookin aluminum piece. All that is necessary is some kind of poll that will screw in, and than lock the tires

Of course it'll look utterly ridiculous, but I don't care

 

Blackwatch racing tire bags are padded balistic nylon. I'm pretty sure it would be ok. I might just leave the hatch half way open for really long trips so that my front seat is not a mass of tire and rim.

Vlad that tow hook idea is awesome!!!

 

Um I don't think those ideas look very safe.

 

So you could fit 2 in the trunk maybe three with the hatch open?

 

yeah I guess so I havent tried to stack them back there to see how open it would be.

Each of my wheel+tire is roughly 11.5"w x 26"t

 

I posted it in another thread in main 350z forum. The more I think about it the more doible it seems. It also very simple peice to manufacture... Unfortunately I don't have means to do it.

 

I just put all four in my car the way del105 mentioned. Remove the spare and put two in the back, two on the front seat and there's still room for a cooler, jack, tools, helmet and air tank. It's not the most convenient setup in the world, but it's easier than getting a trailer or trying to ponder up some way to transport them by strapping them to the roof etc. A trailer is the best idea IMO, otherwise putting them inside the car works fine.. pain in the *** when it rains out, but does the job. Two 275s fit perfectly on the passenger seat, don't tip over easily.. nice and snug.

 

I just want to say it one more time, Black Watch Racing tire bags are so awesome. They keep the inside of your car clean and scratch free. They also can be used as tire warmers when you have the wheels mounted on your car.