Jim Jones

I'm getting the Nismo 5-spoke 18" wheels (silver finish) for my race track wheels. I am trying to decide what tires to get. I will be driving a road course AND running 1/4 miles at the drag strip. The wheels are 18 x 8.5 front and 18 x 9.5 rear. They weigh about 16 lbs. apiece, which is 2 or 2 1/2 pounds lighter than the Rays forged wheels on my Track model.

What brand, model and size tires do you recommend? Thanks.

del105

iTrader: (4)

It is going to be a little more difficult finding a race tire for 18"

I would probably go with the kumho v700 in 265/ 35/ 18 in the front and 285/30/18 in the rear. I think they would fit allright on those wheels.

Moroccan_Mole

iTrader: (5)

hoosiers...

D'oh

I'm currently running the 265/35-18 V700's on 8" wide Enkei RPO2-Js (for SCCA AutoX).

You could easily run those tires on your wheels.

For road course, I think it makes sense to use the same size tire all around to make it easier to rotate (the car through the corners, as well as the tires for wear resisitance). However, you would want the same size wheel for all four corners as well.

Based on that, my recommendation would be to get all four wheels in the 18x8.5 size, and then run either the V700 265/35-18's or the Hoosier 275/xx-18's (I forget the profile of the Hoosiers).

Some will say that the 8.5 isn't wide enough for the 275's, and if you feel unsafe with that combo, you could maybe go to 9.5" wide wheels all around, but I don't know if they fit up front. If they have 9" wide wheels, maybe that'd be the way to go.

For 1/4 mile, I guess you'd want small wheels in front to minmize rolling and wind resistance, so maybe you'd just run the stockers in that case, and your race tires in the back.

Good luck!

-D'oh!

rktjhn

Look in "racing" for Steve Kaufman and what he is doing. He uses a tire called an R1, supposed to last better and cost less than Hoosier and Kumho

Russell (Dallas)

The R1 is made by Toyo. It is a GREAT tire that lasts a VERY long time. It is just slightly slower than the Hoosier's, but you'd be lucky to get 2 or 3 weekends out of the Hoosier's. The Toyo is also a very consistent tire, meaning it does not go away nearly as fast as the Khumo or Hoosier's (I've run all of them).

I use the Toya RA1's on my Spec Miata and can easily get 6 weekends out of a set and that includes practice, qualify and 30+minute races on both days of a weekend. They are actually fastest just before they cord...unlike the Khumo/Hoosiers.

You do need to get them shaved to 4 or 5/32's.

Russell

Moroccan_Mole

iTrader: (5)

i don't think they make the r1's for 18" wheels though.

apex locator

iTrader: (5)

do you really want strictly race tires? or street/track tires?

street/track tires: s03 or toyo proxes t1s
- 245/40/18 and 275/40/18 (nismo-recommended sizes for their wheels)

ps. contact jeff@performance for the nismo wheels.....so far i dont see anybody beating his prices and he usually has them in stock; and they come w/ center caps and lugs too i think.

dwnshift

iTrader: (1)

Hoosier Grand Am Cup compound

VQ35DES

Say No to Kumho!

EnthuZ

iTrader: (2)

What's wrong with the Kumho's?

They have been recommended to me by HSDE instructors. I know the Hoosier's are awesome, but with a very short lifespan.

I live where it rains at inconvenient times, so I'm looking for something quiet at the limit, 80% as sticky as the best, and capable of driving on in the rain. Has anyone tried the new BFG tires? Or the new Goodyears? I like the new Pirelli's, but their sizes suck.

dwnshift

iTrader: (1)

The Grand AM Cup Compound will last awhile. We actually sell our tires to PCA guys after our race weekends. But we have to run our 350Z on 17's....... I hate that rule!!