I am looking to replace my tires that I have on my track Z. What would be the best size to go with? Would F245/40/18 and R275 /40/18 fit? Is this the best size. Or sould I stay with F225/45/18 and R245/45/18? What is the best size for performance? What brand? Anyone?

 

I bought a set of Track model Rays and put 245/45/18 in front and 255/45/18 in back, if you are going to lower the car you could go with 40 profile instead of 45.

As for 275 it is not recommended for rims less than 9 inches in width but some have done it, I wouldn't go there.

As for brands I went with TOYO Proxes T1S.

 

Can you benefit at all by going from a 45 profile to a 40? Besides the look dose it help at all? I was also thinking of going just a little wider in the front and rear. Maybe F235 R255? Would this be a good set up? I really would like to know the best size for handling and performance on the track rays.

 

It will make the side wall just a little bit stiffer.

I went with the 40's in front and the 45's in back. S-03's because you can get them at onlinetires.com (I think) for much less than you can get the toyo's from anywhere. (I do like the tread pattern on the toyo's better though!)

BTW - 245 in front and 255 in back. Biggest the rays should be strapped with.

 

I guess it would be OK to go with 235 front and 255 rear? I 'll keep the same set up as stock just bump it up 10 wider. Why did you go with 245 front?

 

245/255 should slightly help the understeer issues.

 

unlikely actually. making tires wider really increases traction by very little.... lowering your tire pressure does way more.

 

245/255 isn't that a little too close? Just about every rear wheel drive sports car has much wider tires in the rear. M3 225/255, 911 225/285. There must be a reason for this Do you guy's think the best size for the Rays is what they're at? 225/245? If I'm not going to benefit from going wider then maybe I shouldn't. Help!

 

Trust me, go wider. The M3 also understeers like a pig and the 911 has a rearward weight bias of nearly 60%. Miata's have equal sized tires all around.

 

its not just an arbitrary width, the rays are 8" wide tires, they use a 245 wheel, if you want 275 or 285 you need atleast a 9.5" tire. you cant just pick the tires size you want for the rim you have.

 

Huh, thanks Ares. I am well aware that you can't just pick any size. It's obvious that a 285 would not work. My reason for this post was to find out from people what the best tire size would be to put on the Rays wheels. Still not sure

 

YES...

But...They are a compromise.

What are looking for out of the tires?
Wet, Dry, Snow & Ice (I hope not), Ride, Noise, Wear, Fuel Economy, Looks.

Are you going to Open-Track the car?
Are you a Drag racer?
Is the car a daily Driver?
Are the roads in your area well paved?
Are you the only one who drives the car? (Will the wife complain about a jarring ride or the like?)
Do you find the Max handling limits of the car often (intentionally)? If so, how do you want your car to act at the limit?


My opinion with the little info you gave:
Michelin Pilot Sports (just because they are my favorite tire)
Continental's Sport Contact 2s are also a decent tire in their price area (100 less then Pilots)
Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position(s) are agreeable to drive on too.

Too go wider or not. Well...

 

Well, Blue. To anwser your questions here they are in order.
Wet+Dry
No
No
Yes
Some
Yes
Not sure
I just want to know the best size and tire for handling. Noise is not an issue.

 

Ok, I'm still not sure what the best size is for the Track Rays. I just notcied that alot of sports cars have a bigger PROFILE on the front tires. Why is this? Should this be done on the Z? Like 225/45/18F and 255/40/18R?

 

Correction, the Rays are 8" front and 8.5" rear

Mark

 

I will throw out one of my choices.

BF Goodrich G-force T/A KDW

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes


245/40 18 Front
265/40 18 Rear

 

You can also address understeer a much cheaper way, try playing with tire pressure! I ran mine with the stock tires at several track events so far and adjusted the front to 2 lbs less than the back. At one event it cut 4.5 seconds off my time.
John

 

msink
Any problem going with 265 wide? Dose the tire over lap the rim at all? How are those BF Goodrich G-forces? Are they worth the $$$?

 

I have seen at racing events the Yoks, S03's and the new Kumhos. they all seem to kick butt, esp the new Kumho's. If you wanna run real fast, like in Open Road Race events I can testify to the S03's, I ran them last season up to 177 mph and they where great. Saw 3 sets of Pirrellis blow up and one set of Hoosiers at over 200 come apart, but up there you are past the edge.
The SO3 did real well at Open Road and did good at AutoX, saw a guy last week run a killer time on them, faster than alot of the slick boys ran.
john

 

ZZZ I dont have these, sorry. Just something I came up with when looking for alternatives. I too am hoping to get something that wont buldge! i hate that look.


Mark