sfarrah

iTrader: (4)

I ran a 275/40/17 square setup and the only issue I had was the TCS seemed a little sensitive. First thing I do when I start the car though is turn it off, so it wasn't a problem for me. TCS just seemed to kick in a bit early if I forgot to disable it with the button.

12AutoX

iTrader: (7)

I just did an HPDE with 255 Azenis 615's all around. I am building confidence to gain speed on NASCAR turns at the PIR (Phoenix) roval, so it was a good experiment. I actually forgot to adjust the front camber, so it was only running -1 degree. I didn't have any issues whatsoever, though there may have been a tad more oversteer than I am used to. I couldn't say for sure if it was due to the square setup or myriad other issues such as tire wear, increased power, or tire/track temperature. The 255's had plenty of grip, though I still haven't mastered the Z on street tires at the track. Hard to say which is better; square or staggered at this point. I have tried 245/275, 255/285, 255/265, and 265/275 also. Jeez, that's a lot of tires
Maybe moving to -3 degrees camber up front would be enough to throw off the balance now.

PDX_Racer

iTrader: (2)

Stock and stock (OK, Koni DA shocks, Eibach 34mm hollow FSB, both of which are allowed under SCCA Solo Stock class rules)

DustinZ33

iTrader: (19)

So far I like my new RE01R over my last set of Azenis 615. I have 2 autocross and about 1000 miles on my RE01R.

betamotorsports

iTrader: (1)

255/35R18 A6

Rim Width Range...... 8.50 to 10.00
Measure Rim Width.... 9.00
Section Width........ 10.8
Tread Width.......... 10.3
Overall Diameter..... 24.8

Talked with Jeff Speer at Hoosier and its actually a 270/32R-18 size tire. Probably a great size compromise for the BS 350Z guys.

DriveI65

I appreciate the notice but Hoosiers wear too quickly on the outside edge in any size. My experience has shown they are not cost effective for autocrossing.
I'll stay with the 285/30-18 710's.

PDX_Racer

iTrader: (2)

Too much compromise for too little benefit.

Probably it will be a good size for the RX-8s, since there's a very small difference in diameter over the 245/35R18s that they've been running, but I've heard that the new size may very well be as heavy as the 285s -- and heavier than the 275s.

I've considered trying the Hoosier 285/30R18s, but this year Nationals will be on concrete -- and I (and others) think that the Hoosiers may now be too soft.

However, if someone were willing to give me a couple of sets, I might be willing to get them mounted up and try them for myself.

betamotorsports

iTrader: (1)

Weight estimate was 24 lbs each, about the same as the 285/275.

AznSky

iTrader: (12)

So to bump my own thread, I guess I'm still a bit torn on what to do.

245/40 (2% difference from stock with the narrowest width)
265/35 (3.6% difference from stock which may be too much)
275/35 (2.6% difference from stock but can't fit on a 8.5" wheel)

So yeah, what to do......this will be my dd and weekend track setup. If only the RE01R came in a 255/40 like the 615's, that'd be AWESOME

z-u-later

iTrader: (43)

275s will fit on your 8.5" stock rims. I've mounted 275s before on the 17x8 stock rims and they're fine.

I just recently went thru the same situation and did my research for several months. I ended up with 255/40/18 & 275/40/18 Nitto INVOs, which are the same diameters as the stock tires on '06 rims (which I replaced with aftermarket rims).

Ruff Z

iTrader: (8)

Can you take pics please? I want to see how the sidewall bulge is.

AznSky

iTrader: (12)

Thanks for the info. From my understanding (and your sig), your Z isn't daily driven though. I'm wondering from a daily driving standpoint if it's still ok.

Roar!!! Don't know what to do lol.

z-u-later

iTrader: (43)

Here are links to old pictures of my Z with my square setup of 275/40/17s mounted on four 17x8 stock rims:

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...0_135_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...0_122_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...0_116_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...0_118_full.jpg

You cannot go wrong with a square setup, whether for street or track. Better (neutral) handling, more tire rotation options, etc. The 265/35/18 tires you are considering is a fast setup, and the Falken Azenis RT-615 is the perfect tire for this (reinforced sidewalls & higher RPMs).

DriveI65

Those are stock rims?? What model?

z-u-later

iTrader: (43)

Yes, those are black powdercoated stock 17x8 rims on all four corners.

I'm lowered ~2" which is why it looks much tighter in the wheel well area than stock height.

mthreat

iTrader: (16)

I've been running 265/35/18 on all corners for a while, street and track. It works fine, I have a 2003 touring with VDC. I turn VDC off at the track of course. My wheels are Nismo, 18x8.5 front, 18x9.5 rear.

It's the ratio of front-to-rear that matters -- the computer doesn't really know what the absolute circumference is. You could run 40 inch tires if they'd fit, as long as you kept the ratio close enough.

BTW it handles nicely with this setup.

PDX_Racer

iTrader: (2)

Who gives a rip about "sidewall bulge" for performance tires?

I run 285/30R18s on the stock track rims -- all four. I've seem the pics of my car on 245s in a corner, and what I see scares me -- THERE IS NO TIRE BETWEEN THE RIM AND THE GROUND!

On the 285s, there is something between the rim and the ground. Comparing the front track 18x8 wheels with the 18x8s that the RX-8s use, and the track "18x8" wheels are wide enough to put all 285 of the tire on the ground -- and even off the car, there is no "arch" to the tread.

Ruff Z

iTrader: (8)

I just wanted to see it because I'll run a 275 on the 8.5" for my street tires. For track, no worries at all.

PDX_Racer

iTrader: (2)

PM sent with pics of 275s on 8.5 (and 245 on 8).

I've got some other pics of the 285/30s on the car, but I don't have them up anywhere easily accessible at the moment.

M1r4cL3

iTrader: (8)

My .02 regarding autoX tires...

My good friend w/ an S2k, who was consistly running AutoX laps 0.5+ seconds slower than me, replaced his worn Bridgestone RE-01Rs with Dunlop Direzza Star Specs and was suddenly running 0.1 to 0.2 seconds faster in the season's last few events. Granted, you could probably find all kind of loop holes in this testimony but I'm pretty convinced the Star Specs were the major reason. I rode along for some fun runs in his S2000 and the grip felt fantastic.

I'm looking forward to trying the Star Specs on my Z. They'll be my tire of choice next season.

TireRack.com seems to think pretty highly of them too.

The pro drivers of Best Motoring probably agree also.