Do stretched tires compromise grip/handling?

[Jonny Cash]

Just a good article comparing lap times with different sized tires. Iirc the narrower tires were faster.

[nando]

You can track a stretched tire, drift cars do it all the time, will it make you faster? No. Basically there is sidewall rigidity, as stated above, hence why drift cars run stretched tires more often than not. Having too much sidewall though, will give you rollover, and will sacrifice grip and stability. Best to have a nice square setup for track.

drifting isn't the same thing as tracking, when you're purposely trying to slide the car..

[shiboujin]

drifting isn't the same thing as tracking, when you're purposely trying to slide the car..

Why isn't it? You do it on a track :)

I run stretched 195s on a 15x8. Not a huge stretch in most cases but meh. I run it specifically for less sidewall flex.

We are really splitting hares here (lol). a stretched 195 as opposed to a non stretch 195 will probably grip better if you're dealing with like a 70 sidewall. When you get to bigger diameter rims where sidewalls aren't that tall, it doesn't make as much of a difference. Floppy sidewalls make cars shimmy in corners and not retain grip well. The stretch isn't what effects it, the sidewall does. You shouldn't be using 60-70 sidewalls on a track anyway. But if you have to, stretch em. that's probably the only time it's worth it. Even then, you've dumped so much money into rims to stretch them on, get good tires to begin with.

TL;DR get 275s with no stretch, be happy.

[nando]

because you're not trying to grip. you're doing the exact opposite.

[shiboujin]

You just want to argue with me today :) Despite the fact I'm agreeing with you.

My point is, if you have 195/70/14s as your ONLY tire choice. I'd rather have them stretched than not. It would help you grip int hat situation. In reality, this isn't true and for grip driving, there is virtually no reason to stretch.

[325ix]

theyre 205/50R15. Yea, I too love the meaty stretch haha. But Johny Cash, where were you going w/ that?

Meaty and stretch are two opposite things last time I checked.

[shiboujin]

Ever seen a fat woman? Stretch marks AND meat.

[FunfGan]

Hahahah. Sig'd ^ . And anyway, is that so? My point is not that theyre "chunky" in their width, but in their height. Most people envision "stretch tires" as tiny little rubberbands, I went with a lil taller of a tire. Looks old school jdm tyte yo.

[z31maniac]

Whats this jibba jabba

On a productive note, has anyone read the recent mx5 tire comparo in grm?

Yeah, couldn't believe the way the RS-3 hammered the other tires.

[shiboujin]

I'm not even sure what this thread is about anymore.

I found out yesterday my 245s are too meaty in the rear to tuck even with rolled fenders. Although, I'd fit them if I would take off the 1 inch spacers. But then my front track would be 2.5" wider on EACH SIDE than my rear.

[agent]

They are wheels, not "rims". Rims are the outer section of the wheel...

QFT

wheel
Noun: A circular object that revolves on an axle and is fixed below a vehicle or other object to enable it to move over the ground.

rim
Noun: The outer circle of a wheel, attached to the hub by spokes.

hub
Noun: The central part of a wheel, rotating on or with the axle, and from which the spokes radiate.

tire
Noun: A rubber covering, typically inflated or surrounding an inflated inner tube, placed around a wheel to form a soft contact with the road.

[grippymonkey]

^ waste of time.. we all know what people are saying when they use the slang term for wheels... aka RIMS

[CHIF8008]

rims- not the rubber
tire- not the metal
wheels-rubber and tire together as a combo

lol

[Holland]

drifting isn't the same thing as tracking, when you're purposely trying to slide the car..

Lol, that's why they stretch them ridiculously on purpose, and as Yoshi stated, they are technically on a track, not racing, but on a track. My point was more or less that you can, but it probably won't be beneficial. Also that the fact that they are driven hard on, clever word usage, shows that it isn't that dangerous to run them. Not my style but not really hating either.

[Wh33lhop]

It's really a horse a piece, and doesn't do all THAT much, But...

Stretching the tire takes up the sidewall flex it would normally have, resulting in a more rigid tire. Stretched tires have a lot less give, and are more likely to lose their grip in hard driving situations. But the other side with a straight wall, while having more flex and giving more feedback as to when it's going to lose grip with a more comfortable ride.

Unless you track it, you'll never really notice the instantaneous grip loss that can occur. But it will be less comfortable and more likely to bend/scuff a wheel.

Now, mind you, this is all dependent on amount of stretch too. A mild stretch can be a good thing for spirited driving with a tire that doesn't have a reinforced sidewall. But, those tend not to have the best grip out there anyways.

There are those that will argue tooth and nail that it makes zero difference.. It's the extreme examples that are the worst. But a little stretch never hurt anybody, and is common out on the track when you can't afford higher performing ones.

My thought is, and always has been. Use a wider wheel for what it was intended. A wider tire

Quoted for truth, every single word in this post.