staggered tires versus non, wide versus non: questions

[Wh33lhop]

For what it's worth, the ix sway is not 19mm--try 14.5. However lots of track guys prefer to run small or no rear sway to help traction on corner exit.

That said, I haven't had a problem with my 450/600 GCs and 22/19 swaybarbarians.

[njnj.uouo]

And your owners manual already accounts for that by telling you that you can not rotate front-to- rear.

[mRodiek]

This should be stickied, alotta great info in here

[SA E30]

this is how i acquired the car (to the best of my knowledge):

- E30 M3 5-lug swap
- IE Stage3 springs
- Bilstein Sports
- 25mm front IE sway
- 19mm IX rear sway
- E36 M3 offset control arm bushings

these seem like sensible mods to me, but others here obviously know more. do any of these mods not make sense?

Then I concur with everyone else, run no staggered and as wide as possible.

[JRKOUPE]

this is how i acquired the car (to the best of my knowledge):

- E30 M3 5-lug swap
- IE Stage3 springs
- Bilstein Sports
- 25mm front IE sway
- 19mm IX rear sway
- E36 M3 offset control arm bushings

these seem like sensible mods to me, but others here obviously know more. do any of these mods not make sense?

make sense?....


for what?......how is car used......

do u like how she feels?....


they are all kind of common upgrades used in many different combos...

[JRKOUPE]

An E30 is one of the best balanced cars you're ever going to drive. The car is neutral with a square setup. Stagger is going to shift the cornering balance towards understeer without any benefit. Plus, you're going to limit your options for tire rotation, which is never a great idea on a track-driven car.

Square set-up with 225/45R-15 all around is preferred amongst track junkies.

That is going to depend to a large extent on whether you have enough wheel width to make use of the extra tire width. Tire construction will also be a factor. To a lesser extent, suspension set-up will also contribute.

If you'd like to run 225/45R-15 rubber, Ideally you'd like to have 15x8" wheels. But 15x7" will work, especially if the tires have a stiff sidewall and your suspension has enough roll resistance to keep the wheels upright. With stock suspension and less aggressive tires, you may actually have better transient response with a 205/50-R15 tire on a 15x7" rim.

225/45s?...I always thought they were a bit short?...and would force me into 5 th for 5 seconds or so and then need to get back to 4th for the upcoming turn...

I need to check OD for a 225/50 vs 225/45.....

[nrubenstein]

That's a decent suspension setup and not worth changing, unless you need to get higher to clear road problems. If you have oversteer issues, you you should cut down the rear sway (although I don't think the iX sway is as big as you think it is), or look at the condition of your rear bushings.

There's absolutely no need for bigger rear tires.

[Emre]

225/45s?...I always thought they were a bit short?...

Just check out what the E30 M3 guys are running.

and would force me into 5 th for 5 seconds or so and then need to get back to 4th for the upcoming turn...

On my M20-powered 318is, the gearing is perfect with 225/45R-15 tires and a 4.10:1 rear end ratio. Sure, you get into 5th gear at high-speed tracks like Mosport and The Glen. But the car pulls like a train in 2nd-4th gears. Kind of a PITA on the street, but perfect for the track.

[dreeves]

Agreed with Emre - there's no one right answer. On some tracks (NHIS, looking at you) the shorter ratio makes things way busier. On others, (WGI) you can really use the improvement in acceleration.

Also, the answer may vary by tire. I've tried a number of sets of RA-1s, both in 225/45/15 and 225/50/15, and have come to the conclusion that the /50 is just a better, sturdier tire. It seems to grip and behave disproportionately better.

The 225/45/15 diameter is about an inch shorter -- 22.9, if I recall correctly. 225/50/15 is basically equal to stock.

[GThomas]

Great info in here. I've been trying to do my homework on this as well. I plan to get 16x8's (et20/25ish) and want a meatier tire to accompany the new engine's power. My goal is do a handful of Autox events this season, but also drive on the weekends etc (not a DD).

I'm afraid the 225/50 RS-3's will tear up my fenders and cause to much of a headache with fitment. The 225/45 tire selection is very slim, has anyone had experience BF Goodrich GForce KDW 2's in this size? What about the Dirreza Star Spec in 205/50, is a 205 wide enough for occasional track time?

My suspension specs now are GC Coilovers (450/700 springs)
Koni SA Shocks
GC Camber Plates
AKG Poly subframe mounts
New RTABS
IE3 RSMs
M3 CAB’s


Thanks!

[nrubenstein]

205 is fine.

[Emre]

Honestly, you're better off sticking with 15" wheels. The Hankook R-S3 in 225/45-R15 on a 15x8" wheel is a monster. Perfect match for an E30. Don't waste time looking any further.

[leegf]

Honestly, you're better off sticking with 15" wheels. The Hankook R-S3 in 225/45-R15 on a 15x8" wheel is a monster. Perfect match for an E30. Don't waste time looking any further.

not that i plan on doing this anytime soon, but just out of curiosity emre, how much more grip would the Nitto NT-01 in 225/45-R15 provide compared to the Hankook R-S3? any idea?

[pantelones]

I was just pondering this question, and there is some good info in this thread.

However, (sorry to thread jack) I was thinking of running a staggered set up due to my car not having power steering. I have an e36 3.2 turn rack with a 75d solid poly steering guibo; the car currently has a 195/65/14 (all season) tire, and it feels like butter even at low speeds. Down the road when I get different rims, I was thinking of running a 205 or 215 in the front and a 225 in the rear. Anyone that runs no power steering, and runs a 205-225 (summer/gripy) tire in the front care to share their experience? Thanks

[JRKOUPE]

I was just pondering this question, and there is some good info in this thread.

However, (sorry to thread jack) I was thinking of running a staggered set up due to my car not having power steering. I have an e36 3.2 turn rack with a 75d solid poly steering guibo; the car currently has a 195/65/14 (all season) tire, and it feels like butter even at low speeds. Down the road when I get different rims, I was thinking of running a 205 or 215 in the front and a 225 in the rear. Anyone that runs no power steering, and runs a 205-225 (summer/gripy) tire in the front care to share their experience? Thanks

stagger if u want the LOOK....but dynamically these cars tend toward UNDersteer...a stagger will make that worse...if ever on the track youll hate it....unless you run big HP and car oversteers alot.

no PS?...concerned over steering effort?.....go to the gym more....