TRM-C1 Wheel & Tire choices

[rammstein]

I am on the cusp of completing my suspension overhaul- all that is left is the wheels and tires, and then I am off to the track!!! I am super pumped.

So, it appears that the TRM-C1s are the wheel of choice, seeing as how they are $99 and 15x8 and lightweight. Interesting note on the weight though- according to the tire-rack site, the wheel weights differ slightly according to the COLOR you order. Is this for real? I couldn't believe it! The blacks are .2lbs more than the greys, and the silvers are .4lbs more than the greys! I guess I am getting greys then.

Then comes part II- tires. I was going to get some toyos, but doing the math, that comes out to more expensive than the hoosiers when you factor in that I would have to pay to get the toyos mounted, vs the hoosiers which from tire rack get mounted free (tirerack doesn't sell toyos). So for the sake of economics, I need to get a tire that tirerack carries.

My planned size is 225x45. My options are:
Hoosier R6 - $217 each
Hankook Ventus Z214 (medium compound) - $181 each

And that is it. I don't want to get A6s because although I plan to AutoX, I'd rather have something ideal for DEs.

So, are the Hoosiers worth the extra $? Do I bother paying them for the heat cycling? Am I way off altogether?

[z31maniac]

Are you racing or just driving schools and DE's?

My only suggestion would be to go with something more durable if you aren't trying to win trophies.

I bet you could get ALOT od DE's out of a set of Toyo R888s, which would save more in the long run than free mounting/balancing of one set.

[rammstein]

No racing at this time, just DEs, track days, etc.

[SkinnyVT]

Problem solved, R888 for $107/each http://www.tiresdirect.net/TOYO_Prox...5_87_P4745.cfm

Now don't everyone go buying sets and have them jack up the price before I need tires again.

Another option is the Nitto NT-01, they aren't the grippiest things out there but they are consistent, last a long time and are pretty inexpensive.

[JGood]

Are you racing or just driving schools and DE's?

My only suggestion would be to go with something more durable if you aren't trying to win trophies.

I bet you could get ALOT od DE's out of a set of Toyo R888s, which would save more in the long run than free mounting/balancing of one set.

^^What he said.

If you aren't going for time, why spend the extra money for more expensive tires that will last a fraction of the time the Toyo's will? What HPDE level are you at? There are no trophy's at HPDE's. Although we like to go as fast as possible, you have to decide what you're willing to pay to be 1-2 seconds/lap faster. Nobody is going to care but you. I'd go with something cheaper that will last longer if I were you. RA-1, NT-01, R888, etc... whatever you can find the best deal on.

Of course R6's and z214's are faster then RA-1's. I personally don't think R6's are worth more then z214's (c51's) unless you are very good and very consistent. Most lower level HPDE guys abuse tires to the point where they never see their maximum potential anyway.

Get a hookup for mounting and balancing locally, you don't want to be paying $60 or whatever every time. Find a friend at a garage or tire shop or can do it for you.

[rammstein]

Wow- thanks for the responses guys! I did not know that R888s could be had for $107 a pop, thanks for the link. Forgive the noob question- are the R1Rs and RA1s that much better?

I'm definitely with you guys on the durability/cost issue- the only reason I wasn't getting something like the Toyos was my expectation of them costing more on this first run with the wheels. I'll have to ask around locally to see who can mount tires for a reasonable price.

I'd definitely rather use my dollars for seat time than tires.

[z31maniac]

^Looks like at that price even with separate M/B you'll come out ahead and with more durable tires.

[rammstein]

Yup- I just ran the numbers. For the all-in one from tire rack with the hoosiers, mounted on the wheels and shipped, I am at $1388.65.

Ordering the wheels from tirerack and the R888s from the link above, even with the two separate shipping charges I am at $937.51, leaving plenty of cash for mounting, not to mention the increased durability. Thanks for the reality check guys!

[JGood]

Plus, once you go with a fast tire, you won't want to go with a slower tire when they wear out! So consider it future savings :)

[SkinnyVT]

so now, hurry up and order them and get out on the track!

[j0oftheworld]

You can win 2 new hoosiers at each NASA TT event!
If you're paying for them def go NT01/R888/RA1..

[rammstein]

At some point I will need to have someone educate me on NASA. It seems pretty cool.

I just mentioned the wheels and tires to my wife. She understands that this is my form of therapy :D

[Luis325]

I have the TRM's 15x8 with toyo R888 and love them.
Great wheel and tire combo for Track Days!

[rammstein]

Any thoughts on the wheel weights issue I mentioned? I still find it amusing that the colors have different weights.

[2002maniac]

Here's my advice:
Don't bother buying new race tires unless you are racing or going for lap records. Find a local racer who runs your size tire. Most racer will get rid of their tires with plenty of life left.

I run 225/45/15 hoosiers and have never payed more than $100 for a set. You can run them to the cords and they are still very very fast. If there is any wear indicator left on the tread at all you should be able to get 3 track days out of them.

I'd have a hard time buying new toyo's knowing that I could be going a few seconds per lap faster on a set of freebie hoosiers!

Walmart charges like $7.50 to mount a tire (no balancing needed in my experience) so changing tires a few times in the season doesnt seem like a big deal to me.