I would say go with 205/55/16. That's what I'm doing, RA-1's. I didn't consider either Kumho, because neither will last as long as a Toyo or Yok. I chose that size because... well I needed 16" tires, and I wasn't going to try 225.

I think the 205/55/16 should work, because it's only a hair taller than the stock SVT tire. The 215/45/17 tire that came on your car is... I believe 24.6 or 24.7" tall, so you're just a fraction bigger.

Kinda sucks for gearing I guess... but I don't worry too much about that.

 

Belacyrf, check your PM. I have some tires that may work for you...

 

P.. yea I didn't list the RA-1's but they are up there in the #1 slot with the A032R. They are pretty much the same size and price. And from the reviews I've read, I would prefer the RA-1's. But I need to try and get 6 track days out of these tires, otherwise I'm not saving money.

 

If you treat them right, you should get a ton of track days out of them! Mine are 3 years old, and they still have life in them.

I think they have around 5000 kms on the street, like 10 autocrosses and... 10 track days I think.

The A032R's would last even longer on track days though. That's what they were made for. The Toyo is a bit of a autocross-trackday compromise tires, and the Kumho's start to get more autocross oriented.

 

Wow.. you really get that much mileage out of yoru Toyo's? Very impressive.

Auto-X-ZTS hooked me up with his used BFG R1's which I should get 2 or so track days out of. They are 225/50's so hopefully we'll see how the car does on a 225. However, now that I'm reading this book on suspension, it actually talks about how a wider wheel can decrease your contact patch if your car is to light. So maybe a 205 is a better tire. Either way, I'll test these 225's out. I still wish they would make some 215/45 or 205/45's on 16 inch.

 

what about falken azeni's? 215/45/16... i have these on my kosei k1 wheels, had them for about 7 months now and havent noticed any wear really on them yet.

 

The Azeni's are still street tires. They aren't even in the same league as R Compounds. In fact, from what I am learning, I think the tire is not up to the hype it receives. I think it's huge draw is the fact that not only does it compete with the upper tier Max performance street tires, but it's very inexpensive. However even in the street tire class, i don't even know if it would be in the top 5 as far as grip.

I did think about the azeni's but if I'm going to buy wheels dedicated for racing, then I'm going to wrap them in the best rubber (sort of)

 

I wouldn't dismiss the Azenis so fast. They're not in the same league as the Hoosiers or Kumhos for grip, but then neither are the RA-1 or Yok. The grip difference between an Azeni and a RA-1 is probably pretty close to the difference between the RA-1 and a Hoosier. But if the Azeni is available in a 215/45 compared to a 205/55 RA-1, that might make up for a lot of the difference. I would personally choose the RA-1 in the end though.

 

I seem to hear quite frequently that the Azenis's are awesome for autoX'ing, but with the heat generated from 20-30 minute track sessions, they get greasy too easily.

Sounds like for mainly track days, the A032R's are sounding pretty damn good.

 

Originally posted by alexinRO:
I wouldn't dismiss the Azenis so fast. They're not in the same league as the Hoosiers or Kumhos for grip, but then neither are the RA-1 or Yok. The grip difference between an Azeni and a RA-1 is probably pretty close to the difference between the RA-1 and a Hoosier. But if the Azeni is available in a 215/45 compared to a 205/55 RA-1, that might make up for a lot of the difference. I would personally choose the RA-1 in the end though.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Really?? You think the azenis are in same ballpark as the RA-1's or A032R's? I mean all the tests I've seen put them under TA-KD's and Pole Positions and Pilot Sports. And those 3 are all street tires.

I mean if they are even close to the R Compounds in grip, I'd go for it, just to get the right size and well they are pretty inexpensive, but I just can't see them gripping with the R Compounds.

 

I know that the RA-1 and the Yok do not heat up very quickly, making them poor for autocross, but good for track days. I know a few people who've run track days on Azenis and they've held up well, but a friend running a Civic on the RA-1 at track days got unbelievable wear and was very pleased with the grip.

 

i concur. the azenises are designed as an autocross tire, where you don't get the level of heat build up as you do on a track. i've seen a few sets of azenises come back from a test n tune torn to shreds.

 

I can't comment on the Azeni, I've never used them. But the RA-1's, they're like S&M tires. The harder you push them, the more you try to hurt them, they just get stickier and stickier and cry out MORE MORE!!!

With my car basically stock, only 130hp but I had suspension mods, I was pushing it as hard as I possibly could on a racetrack that was very forgiving to drive over the limit (flat, no walls). It was like 90 degrees out. The harder I pushed, they just got stickier.

Now, I'm sure there's a limit, but I can't find it.

Those tires are 3 years old, and they just keep going and going. I think I come back with MORE rubber than I set out with!

This was on 205/50/15's. That's why, I really don't worry myself about tire width. 205 is a pretty decent tire for a light car.

I just went with a 205/55/16 for my new RA-1's, and don't need to worry widths.

 

Oh, and about my tire wear... Yeah, I got 3 good seasons out of them, and would keep going but the 15" wheels just don't fit. They aren't as sticky as they once were, but are still faster than street tires.

But mind you... I'm very good with tires. I have a pretty good feeling for slip angles etc... so I don't overcook them.

If you overdrive the tires, you'll kill them faster.

 

For Auto-X, the Azenis are ALMOST on Par w/ the Harder types of R-Compounds.
They DO get "Greasy" when Extremely Hot, BUT This is apparently being addressed in the Next Generation of Azenis which Egz posted about a couple weeks ago.

[ 05-08-2003, 03:05 PM: Message edited by: MichaelXi ]

 

Thanks P... I am not good on tires, because I'm still learning. The way I drive my car is skipping and slipping all over. But I'm starting to get a feel for it.

Since this is for the track only, I will be getting the RA-1's I need a tire that will not boil in sunny CA, for lapping days. Now just to find some nice cheap. lightweight 16's. I don't know if I can wait till June!!

 

Originally posted by alexinRO:
I wouldn't dismiss the Azenis so fast. They're not in the same league as the Hoosiers or Kumhos for grip, but then neither are the RA-1 or Yok. The grip difference between an Azeni and a RA-1 is probably pretty close to the difference between the RA-1 and a Hoosier. But if the Azeni is available in a 215/45 compared to a 205/55 RA-1, that might make up for a lot of the difference. I would personally choose the RA-1 in the end though.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">You people that think Azenis can keep up are confused! The hotter Azenis get the less grippy they are. The hotter a race tire gets, the better it is (up to a certain point). There is no comparison between race tires and street tires. Drive on some race tires once and you will understand.

 

Originally posted by belacyrf:
Maybe it's time for a set of OZ's

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">

a nice 35lb combo fer shur

[ 05-09-2003, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: ZXmurph ]

 

where can you get the RA-1's and do they make a 205/50/15? if so, how much?

 

This one probably has the best prices.
Miata Performance Club

1010 Tires

Wheel1

Online Tires.com

There is also a place (no website) that is supposedly pretty good. Vilven Tire - 1-800-251-0017 or 1-217-583-3277

One thing I don't understand... Look at this tire size progression
15 inch - 205/50/15
16 inch - 205/55/15
17 inch - 205/40/15
Anyone else think that's odd???

Oh well.. good luck!

[ 05-09-2003, 04:21 PM: Message edited by: belacyrf ]

 

Awesome thread guys! What an education.

My co-workers came in my office to see what I was reading so intently. They think you and I are nuts...They just don't get it.

 

FWIW you cannot get a better R compound than the RA-1 when it comes to *durability*....I also have commented many times before about how consistent they are throught their life-- while their peak grip is far below the "others" they maintain their particular peak throughout their life.....you saw them still going pretty quick on my car while in their death throes. That was after over 100 Solo II runs on long San Diego courses, five track days, and oh yeah.......7500 street miles.

For a dedicated set that is really cared for -- brushed and bagged in a "cool dry place" after event-- you might see useful life at and beyond even what P-51 has experienced.

as an aside...I think you said you sold your stock rims? I can't remember, if not, do not hesitate to go with Toyo 205/40/17 I loved how they felt....and a bonus is that they are the one of the lightest R compounds available in ANY size at around 18lbs.

[ 05-09-2003, 12:15 PM: Message edited by: ZXmurph ]

 

205/40/17?? That is so much smaller in rolling diameter than the 205/55's. Hmm why would they do that. It seems in this case it would be a better idea to go with the 17 inch wheels. Maybe it's time for a set of OZ's

Thanks Murph.. I'm DEFINATELY gettingthe RA-1s, just a matter of finding the right wheels.

 

it seems to me that for road courses a larger overall diameter would be better because once you get it up to speed it's easy to keep it going fast, easier than a smaller diameter in any case.