Optimal Wheel size for HPDEs? Specifics inside

[kts]

I'd stick with 15s for more tire options vs 16", plus the cost savings.

15x7 Team Dynamics or 15x7 or 15x8 TRM C1s are always great affordable lightweight options that look good on an E30 too.

I think 205/50R15 is plenty fine, for HDPE. I'm a little dated in my tire knowledge but the only 225 that's not an R Comp I might consider running is the Hankook RS3 but I really only know how that tire performs at an autox and not at a track day.

Kuhmo XS has worked well on my E30 and Star Specs seem to be the dominant tire at lemons events which you'll often see E30 out there. They wear well and keep sticky.

If you go with the TRM C1s I'd probably just go with the 15x8 since it's $10 more than the 15x7 version and will let you go to wider tires should you decide to try something wider than a 205 later on.

[phenryiv1]

So I want to establish the scenario so that I get the most applicable responses.

This is my rallycross car but I want to take it to HPDEs on a different wheel/tire/pad setup, just for fun. I might do 2-4 a year, if I am lucky. The ONLY track(s) where it will go are the various circuits at Summit Point in WV.

So the car:

• Car is running a stock M20B25. Assume that no power adders (a chip/injectors at best) will be consequential, no swaps, etc.
• 3.73 LSD
• Stripped, caged, harnessed, etc.
• With this wheel/tire setup I will be doing HPDEs only. Autocross only if I am really bored.
• Suspension is fairly basic: H&R OE Sport springs, Bilstein HDs, all new tophats, new solid & offset CABs, rear strut tower bar.
• Before the first HPDE, it will get: a urethane diff bushing, new tie rods, new stock subframe bushings, new RTABs, SS brake lines.
• Pads will be something track-specific. I had XP-8 pads on my WRX and loved them. Something in that line of performance is the goal.

What I am looking for is a recommendation on both tire and wheel specifications: size (15/16?), tread width (205, 225?) and profile? Wheel width (7/7.5/8?), offset, etc.

A lot of recommendations that I found through search are based on a specific series and the associated regulations. Because I am just doing this for fun, I don't have the limitations. I'd like something that is a good bang for the buck and that my stock M20B25 can properly utilize. I just don't see a stock B25 needing more than a 205 or a 225 width or justifying a wheel size over 15-16" but that is why I am posting up here.

My initial thoughts are maybe a 205/50/15 on a 15x7" wheel. I could be swayed to a 16" or a wider 15" if there is a benefit and if the cost is not too much more than it is for a 15x7" setup. With the SpecE30 wheels out there, it was hard to justify the idea of going larger for the wheels but 15" tires are not exactly widespread. Of course, the only tires that I need are the 1 set that works for me.

So please feel free to comment and suggest what might be the "best" setup for my situation.

Thanks!