What about tires

[cktrap]

Need some help on tires. Looking for 205 or 195 x 60 or 55 x 14. i will be doing some autocross and would like some good tires that work on the street as well. What is you favorite tire. I'm almost finished with the brakes and tires are next.
Please help ready to drive in Ft. Worth
Keith

[fj20spl311]

In those sizes you will find autocross only tires.

Looks to me, you will want two sets of rims

I like the dunlop 185 60 14 for the street. Or get some 15" or 16" rims for the street.

[SLOroadster]

There are zero performance street tires in a 14 these days. In a 15, you need the clearance to fit 225s (Hankook RS3s, Dunlop Direzza DZIIs, BF Goodrich Rivals, all 225/45/15s.) My guess is that you can't clear a 225 under your rear fenders so those are all out. R compound tires are not hard to find in a 14. I'm a huge fan of the Kuhmo V710s (my car has never been faster than when I had those on it) the Hankook C71 compound can be found in a 205/50/14, and the Toyo RA-1 can be found in a 205. Hoosier has the A6 or perhaps now its the A7. They have the most grip, but won't last a season. You get 60 runs and they are done.
Right now I have 225/50/14 Hankook Z212 C71s for race tires and the car is very fast.

Will

[Alvin]

185/60/14
Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec

Toyo Proxes R888
205/55/14

Falken Azenis RT-615K
195/60/14

[rahjr60]

I've been going through this dilemma myself as I want to do some autocross this season also. The Falken Azenis was the hot tire when it came out, but more recent reviews seem to be down on it some. I've about decided to go with them anyway due to size limitations in 14". Anyone running them now or in the past?

[SLOroadster]

185/60/14
Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec

Toyo Proxes R888
205/55/14

Falken Azenis RT-615K
195/60/14

A 185 is a lot on the narrow side, The R888 is an R compound, and I wouldn't use a Falken on a parts car (Yes I've had them on my car and unless I get them for free, will never use them again.) Between the Dunlop and the Falken, the ZII will be a faster tire, but its not wide enough. The R888 needs a very specific suspension setup otherwise it wears strangely and rapidly. Its odd because the RA1 is the same rubber compound. I love RA1s for track use, but getting heat in them for autoX is challenging, especially if the venue tends to be on the cool side. The good news is that they stick till they cord.

I so wish the Dunlops were offered in either a 195 or 205/55/14. They would have a winner hands down. 185 is such an odd size for a performance tire. They are on par with the Hankook RS3s. I've won class with RS3s against guys on A6s. They have 95% of the grip of a fresh R compound has with much better tread-wear.

How bad are the Falkens? When I had the V710s I ran the morning session on the V710s, and the afternoon on the street tires. I was 10 seconds slower on the same course, on the same day with the 615ks. 10 seconds! Since a roadster is a CSP car (yes even bone stock) you are running against Miata's on R compounds. Good luck there.
Will

[RCMike]

The thing to really decide is whether this is a street car or a track car, and what you want to spend on tires.. An R compound will not last if driven on the street. If you don't mind buying tires every couple months, no problem. Also, they are much happier hot..

On the other hand, real street tires get sad on the track. Not a big deal if track is occasional, but if you are going to track regularly, you will get annoyed with them.

For auto x however, good street tires are not a bad choice. They do not need to get really warm to grip. And when you only have a minute per run, that's important..

[SLOroadster]

You need two sets of wheels. One for the street, one for the track. Yeah, its a pain, but unless you want to be a back marker, R compounds are a must.

When you don't have a truck and trailer, you gotta get creative.


Will

[RCMike]

Will is of course correct.

However, if you are picking one set as a compromise, I stick with what I said.

[cktrap]

Well at least starting out I'll probably be on the street mostly. So what street tire ? I'll see how the autocross goes and maybe get a set of tires to race on. Now I need more rims. Thanks for all the input
Keith

[SLOroadster]

Knowing how well the Dunlops stick, I'd say roll the dice on those. I think that even though they are narrow, they might have more grip than the Falkens. RA1s come with full tread. Yeah the wear racing is low, but if you aren't hammering on them all the time, they will last a while. R compounds don't wear that much just driving from point to point. I think the RA1 treadwear is 100, but I'm not sure. My old set was.

Will

[RCMike]

RA1 and r888 are 100tw..

[Skyman]

I'm running the older Falken Azenis RT 215. I've got about 11,500 miles on them. I will need a new set in less than 2500 miles or so. Mostly street, aggressive street, long road trips, track days, etc. I can't say they have been bad tires, but they aren't the best street tires. DON'T get caught in the rain and expect any performance. I've been sideways a couple of times hydroplaning in deep standing water. There is a lack of good tires in a 14". I will be due for a new set soon so I will be in the same boat.

[csp54]

For my 2 cents (worth EVERY DIME) the Falken is an ok tire. the available 14 inch performance tire selection is fairly slim to practically non exsistant. the Falken will work for dual duty, but as stated above if your serious about competing 2 sets of wheels is a must do.You must also consider classing. for "stock" now "Street" treadwear 200 or higher is required and near stock wheel size so the 195/60 Falken is really the only thing out there. The car is not legal in STR so then your stuck with SP or prepared. for SP Hoosier Kumho and others are available for Prepared you can run slicks (ultimately cheaper)