Help me with My Auto X setup.

[Murphy2012]

Alright, here's the deal. I am looking to go wider this year with my tires for autoxing. I was going to get a 9" wide wheel this season, but, losing my job and not having a ton of extra money to play with at the moment, I am going to keep my 17x8" Rota G Forces. I ran 225/45-17 Falken Azeni's last year and was thoroughly impressed with them, and I got them just under 50% tread depth. Here is what I am looking at now.

Falken Azeni RT-615: (http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615_t.htm)
245/45-17 9.1" wide 27.8 lbs. 117\ea
235/40-17 8.7" wide 24.3 lbs. 124\ea

Bridgestone RE-01 R (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE-01R&partnum=44WR7RE01R&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=1)
245/45-17 9" wide 27 lbs. 182\ea.

Kumho Ecsta XS (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+XS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&partnum=44WR7EXS)
245/40-17 24 lbs. 153.\ea


What do you think? Any other suggestions or ideas, feel free to let me know! HELP ME PICK MY NEXT TIRES! Thanks in Advance. :D

[Pulski]

I'd go with either the 235/40 Azenis or the Ecsta 245/40. 3 lbs per corner is a big difference. On top of that, the bigger you go, the taller your gears get.

[Bu11dogg2]

You need a rock hard sidewall. I'd go with Adjustable struts also (dampening/camber/toe/height)

[Nate8409]

Used R comps in any size that will fit.

[Murphy2012]

I was thinking the same thing, Nate. But I might let Jamie use my Weds for the summer if she doesnt get wheels because shes got two bent stock wheels. I would prefer to use those for winter. No way I am going all summer on R comps....

Randy, I already have adjustable struts...this thread is for tires. ;)

[ValuePack]

I'd pick the Kumho, myself. They're a good cost compromise and should last a few more miles than the RE-01Rs.

[maximumyin]

Take a look at the Dunlop Z1 Star Specs. People are saying that the Azenis is becoming old tech and the Z1s and RE-01Rs are the new weapons of choice.

[Nate8409]

Yeah going all summer on R Comps would be bad news. They would wear so fast lol.

[Bu11dogg2]

Randy, I already have adjustable struts...this thread is for tires. ;)


I thought you were running struts and springs?

+1 on the R-Comps

[Murphy2012]

I have struts and springs, but the struts have adjustable dampening. Camber plates, which I may get at some point can mount directly to them. Basically the only thing my struts cant do that a coilover can is height adjustability. The struts can even support up to 500 lb spring rates, IIRC.

R Comps were my choice, was thinking Victo Racers, but like I said in the OP, the tires might be used for more than track driving if Jamie needs my other wheels.

Back OT, I checked into the Z1's, Rob has been talking about them as well. They look mighty fine and for a bit more than an Azeni, it seems as if most people prefer these over the RT 615's now. I guess they heat up a bit quicker and dont give out as easy as the 615's when hot. Innnnteresssting. For the extra couple bucks it might be worth the investment. Here (http://www.tirerack.com/survey/SurveyComments.jsp?additionalComments=y&commentStatus=P&tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+Sport+Z1+Star+Spec&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&partnum=445WR7Z1SS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tirePageLocQty=%26partnum%3D445WR7Z1SS) is a Subaru Specific Tire Rack review on them.

[maximumyin]

Back OT, I checked into the Z1's, Rob has been talking about them as well. They look mighty fine and for a bit more than an Azeni, it seems as if most people prefer these over the RT 615's now. I guess they heat up a bit quicker and dont give out as easy as the 615's when hot. Innnnteresssting. For the extra couple bucks it might be worth the investment. Here (http://www.tirerack.com/survey/SurveyComments.jsp?additionalComments=y&commentStatus=P&tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+Sport+Z1+Star+Spec&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&partnum=445WR7Z1SS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tirePageLocQty=%26partnum%3D445WR7Z1SS) is a Subaru Specific Tire Rack review on them.

FWIW, last year in the club I ran with in CT we had a car on the Z1s end up with FTD. Granted it was a well built SM Evo, but that's saying something.

[Murphy2012]

139 each for the 245/45's and 164 each for the 245/40's. Big difference and I think I would prefer the 45's.

[gleinz]

Falken RT-615 seem to be the choice for street tires for auto-x use... can't go wrong with those. I'd pick the 245's if you were to get these.

However, in line with some above posts, I'd recommend the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1's for auto-x. My friend has been maxing out his Evo VIII for BSP, and ran these tires all last season. They hold up extremely well to the abuse he puts them through, and have excellent grip for the summer.

- Matt

[Murphy2012]

Ya, same deal. I actually am not a fan of the RT 615s on the street. Ran one year with them now its time to try something different. Think I am settled on the Z1's.

[Rooster]

All the fast guys use RE01R's...

[Robk0000]

i am leanign towards the Z1's as well. They are cheap and have excellent ratings along with lifetime.

[Nate8409]

For another 200 bucks you can buy R Comps so that is what I will be doing... 600 or 800? Not that big of a diff when you hit those numbers.

[Murphy2012]

Right, but it doesn't apply to me cause I need streetable tires too.

[Nate8409]

Yeah. You need more sets of wheels. Track, street, winter. :)

[Robk0000]

Right, but it doesn't apply to me cause I need streetable tires too.


x2. :)

do you still have those wheels you had for sale? i cant remember what they wers.

[Murphy2012]

I DO have 3 sets of wheels, track, street, winter. BUT as I stated in the OP, Jamie is most likely borrowing my street wheels this summer.

[Nate8409]

Well skip the step of giving rims to Jamie.

[Robk0000]

do you still have the ssr's?