Tires for track wheels- (14s?)

[phenryiv1]

I have some stock weaves that I am either going to sell or re-tire to run at the track.

Requirements:

Tires must be able to get me to and from the track
Tires must not cost an arm and a leg

If I sell the weaves, I will get some 15s, which opens up my options substantually, but the 14" weaves are cheap (as in, already paid for) and 14" tires are cheap as well. They are also a reasonable width and weight.

I plan to do autoX and HPDEs on these tires, but they will also be getting me to and from the track, and may be used on the street for limited times (no winter use).

RT615s are tempting, but are they servicable for the track? What else is available in a 14" that can be driven to and from the track?

Another note- the car needs new suspension, so that is why cost is limited. If I had my suspension done, I'd spring for Team Dynamics, D-Force, or TR motorsports 15"s and look at REAL tires.

[whiltebeitel]

RT-615 are serviceable, but if it's a hot day and you're running hard, they get greasy. Not really many other choices. I got a great deal when TireRack was closing out the V700 stock, 185 and 195 width 14" diameter r-comps for $33-$48 each!

[Wh33lhop]

You don't have much of a choice here, RT615s or R comps. I'd try and find some used hoosiers/victoracers or something, but you probably won't find much in 14".

[ben312]

hoosiers or r-comps

[kishg]

go to 15s.. you will find tire selection much easier. oh and don't get r-comps just yet. i know you have autox under your belt but run street tires until you feel like your maximizing them before switching.

[phenryiv1]

go to 15s.. you will find tire selection much easier. oh and don't get r-comps just yet. i know you have autox under your belt but run street tires until you feel like your maximizing them before switching.

I am not ready for R-comps.

Discount tire has 15" Azenis for $91 each shipped and 14" for $76.

Either set comes with an $80 rebate, so that makes them $71 and $56, respectively.

If I go with 15"s, I can probably sell my weaves for about $200-220, which will cover about half of the cost of 15" wheels. The tires will run me $60 more.

With 14"s, I am up and going with my current wheels and will have about $225 in tires.

Overall, the cost of moving to 15"s is about $275-300, assuming comparable tires.

If my suspension was already sorted out, whis would be a no-brainer. Still needind springs AND struts, it makes the choice more difficult.

I really want to go to 15"s...

[kishg]

your over analyzing in the specific case. think about when you don't want to run azenis and want to run some other tire? it may not even be available in 14. what 15" wheels are you looking at?

[Jean]

Doooo eeeet, 15s 15s 15s

[phenryiv1]

your over analyzing in the specific case. think about when you don't want to run azenis and want to run some other tire? it may not even be available in 14. what 15" wheels are you looking at?

TR Motorsports C1
Team Dynamics (forget the model, but it is the ones with a lot of spokes)
D-Force LTW5

Here are my options, really...

Option A:
Keep my weaves and spend $200-250 on RT615s. Put the ~$300 in savings into other things that need attention- suspension, mostly. Drive those until they die, sell the weaves, and get 15s. By then, I have a better idea of how much I like the car, how it handles, etc. I am definately limited as to tire choices, and it is not likely to get better unless Dunlop adds a 14" size to the Star Spec lineup to accomodate the Miata guys.

Option B:
Buy new wheels and tires. Any of the above are ~$100-115 each, plus shipping. Call it $450 at my door. Add in a set of 195/55/15 Star Specs ($342 + shipping) or 205-50-15 RT-615s ($284, shipped) and I am set for wheels and tires for a while, but suspension will have to wait.

Option B looks better and has a better long-term potential, but Option A get the car up and running sooner, and the difference in contact patch is negligable.

If I had an extra $300, would I go for the 15"s right now? Sure. The other option is to do 15"s now and put suspension on hold for a few months.

I really have WAY too much in-progress. I am doing the 2.71 build right now to my Seta (have all of the parts, but no time), I have new pads, rotors, and sensors (need lines and caliper rebuild kits), and I have to pull my 2.93S to swap it for a 3.73S that is being sent my way.

Part of me wants to take the easy route and just get the 14" 615s and then worry about better wheels and tires once those wear out. By then, I will have a better idea of what tire is right for me.

If I could find a set of used 15" wheels for around $300, I would have trouble not going that route. But $450 is what they cost, so what can I do?

Keep in mind- I have never REALLY driven this car, and it was only $850. Pretty much EVERYTHING that I do to it will cost as much as the car itself. I want to (as someone has in their sig) shut the hood and drive it!

[whiltebeitel]

I have been in a similar situation, just get the 14" RT-615's for now, and have fun with the car. Look for a steal on these 15" wheels used in the mean time.

[Axxe]

14's. Put money towards suspension, and when you wear out the tires on 14's, upgrade to 15's.

[kishg]

Look for used 15s, preferably with tires. if you don't mind taking a drive up to NJ, contact Turk or Levent at Gutenparts, they can help you find most anything for an e30. they have a killer deal on spec e30 suspensions too.

[phenryiv1]

Look for used 15s, preferably with tires. if you don't mind taking a drive up to NJ, contact Turk or Levent at Gutenparts, they can help you find most anything for an e30. they have a killer deal on spec e30 suspensions too.

How streetable are the H&R race? Car is not a daily driver, but may see road time once a week.

I considered GCs, but I really want to spend more time driving and less time adjusting. If I go with H&R race or Sports, it is one less thing that needs adjustment.

Is that gutenparts.com?

[kishg]

It's not bad at all for an occasional street car. If you want GC's i'll be selling my kit sometime soon because i'm racing spec e30 next year but I'd still recommend you go with the Spec e30 suspension right now. I didn't actually adjust the GCs a whole lot, once i had the car corner balance each season i would just adjust the damper firmness, not the ride height. yes gutenparts.com or contact them on the forum (ZM Blue Devil or Brewcity11).

[phenryiv1]

It's not bad at all for an occasional street car. If you want GC's i'll be selling my kit sometime soon because i'm racing spec e30 next year but I'd still recommend you go with the Spec e30 suspension right now. I didn't actually adjust the GCs a whole lot, once i had the car corner balance each season i would just adjust the damper firmness, not the ride height. yes gutenparts.com or contact them on the forum (ZM Blue Devil or Brewcity11).

With the current motor (M20B27) I can't run SpecE30, and especially once I do my top-end build, I won't qualify, but I DO like the idea that the SE30 setup has been tried and tested. More seat time, less wrench time.

I was searching for all of the wrong user names on here!