Hi:

There are 3 sets of wheel sizes in my owners manual. I have the 17x7.5 and17x8. The other sizes were 18x8 and 18x8.5.

Are the 18 inch wheels legal on my Enthusiast Z? (for SoloII, BS).

Thanks!

Mike

 

No...

Legally, it depends on the trim model of your vehicle. For local events, you can usually run whatever you want till someone protests.

 

THANKS ADMAN!
Mike

 

AmarilloMike,

There are some folks who count themselves fortunate to have a Z that can run the 17s legally. The available 18 sizes are limited. I'm running 275/35-18s, would like to try a Z with 17s, but I guess it'd be a moot point anyhow, my car a T model.

Brian

 

I found where i could put 245s on the 17x7.5 and 255s on the 17x8. That is much narrower than your 275s. Or can I go to a WIDER 17" tire and still be legal?

Anyway thanks for the reply.

Mike

 

You can use any width tire that you are comfortable stuffing on the stock size rim.

I'm running 265 on the 8" Wide Performance rims.

One thing you may want to consider is running the same width tire on all 4 corners to help reduce understeer. 1/2" = 12mm, so with people running 275's on 8" successfully it would seem that you could run 255's on 7.5" easily and probably 265's if you really wanted to try. You'd be way outside the tire MFG recommendations, but hey, this is racing right? You gotta be on the edge to be competitive. :-) Just do what you are comfortable with, because after the tires wear out you can always try something new.

-D'oh!

 

AmarilloMike,

Yes, my 275/35-18s are sufficiently wide... and I was surprised at how well they "appear" to fit the stock 8" wheels. However, given the fact that the wheels are much narrower than Hoosier's recommended "minimum" wheel width, I believe I am sub-optimizing the tire's capabilities. There isn't much sidewall on this tire. I need to acquire a pyrometer to check out where the tires are really at.

The highest placing Z at Nationals last year ran 275/40-17s Hoosiers. I think you'd do well to follow his choice of tire. I believe they are running a 1/4" spacer as well... not sure if it's a "must" for his set-up. The wheels I mounted my A/X tires on, have a 35mm back spacing vs. 30mm stock... and they require 5mm spacers to prevent a mild rub up front.

Comparing the dimensions of the 275/35-18 vs. 275/40-17... they're pretty much identical in all categories (TireRack specs), and I would think the slighty taller sidewall would be an advantage given a stock class set-up.

I'm running the Hoosier AS304, I'd recommend going with the AS303. The 304 is getting mixed reviews. You'll spend about $40 less per tire than I'm spending on my 18" tires... I think you're going to be happy with your 17s.

Brian

 

Thanks D'oh
Thanks Brian

I am negotiating on a second set of OEM stock rims (17x8, 17x7.5). So if I put Hoosiers 303s, say 265front 275rear, would you feel safe driving my car to the autocross 125 miles away at 75mph (on the Hoosiers)?

I have seen other posts where they are driving to the autox on their autox tires. This would be very convenient for me. Would the Hoosiers wear too much on a 250 mile round trip?

Thanks

Mike

 

I wouldn't recommend driving anywhere but around the event site on Hoosiers. They are great tires, but you'll kill them with that drive, and if you get any rain what so ever (even in texas?) you will be completely SOL.

 

Mike,

No, I wouldn't. I think you would use up most of the tire's useful life going back and forth to the events. I wouldn't recommend driving on them anywhere other than a closed circuit... they are a handful at speed. And when they say they're "Dry" pavement only tires... they mean it!

I understand people running Kumhos drive their's to the events... but I do not have any ownership experience with that tire.

I stuff my tires into my car along with my jack, 11 gal. air tank, support bag, etc. It's a tight fit, but I have it down now. One goes in the spare cavity, one between the rear strut bar and the seat backs, one behind the passenger seat (hiked up high) and one in the passenger's seat (sitting on the air tank like a crown). Use your 17s for A/X, get something nice for the street.

Brian

 

Christoc - Thanks!

Brian - fitting all that into your car - neat solution! I absolutely love my stock rims and tires on the street and the highway. They dont tramline, are very smooth, and hardly any tire noise. I guess it is the tires I like but I hate to screw with something that is working so well. Still, a set of chrome wheels would look good on my black car. Thanks for giving me some more options.

Mike