[Provoste]

Originally Posted by locktyght

Sorry for the Hijack, where are you guys finding take offs? I am about to buy a set of 18's and need rubber.

JB Racing Tire is where I've bought all mine. Never had a bad set.

http://www.jbracingtires.net/contact.htm

[7stringtheory]

A couple of people have told me that going to 18" wheels would jot be adviseable for road courses due to the change in final drive gearing. What are your thoughts on this?

[Provoste]

Originally Posted by 7stringtheory

A couple of people have told me that going to 18" wheels would jot be adviseable for road courses due to the change in final drive gearing. What are your thoughts on this?

Exactly the opposite. Changes in final drive gearing make it better, Tighter gearing. When I'm thinking about what makes a car better on track, longer gear ratios aren't usually an item that comes to mind. I'd guess that anyone that has told you it isn't advisable, hasn't driven our cars on 18's on track. On 18's, our cars feel about like the ZL1 gearing (much tighter spreads than the SS).

[TrackClub]

I am one of them

I still think the car has so much usable torque (455 is a sandbag imo) with stock sizes that for most it will be more than adequate for very fast pace around any track.

If i were going for slicks than 18s with Pirellis are most defo the sweet spot and drops OD from 27.2 to 25.2.
But going further into 285/30 size territory would drop it down to 24.7 which might be a bit too low? Thoughts?
Provoste?

[Provoste]

Originally Posted by TrackClub

I am one of them

I still think the car has so much usable torque (455 is a sandbag imo) with stock sizes that for most it will be more than adequate for very fast pace around any track.

If i were going for slicks than 18s with Pirellis are most defo the sweet spot and drops OD from 27.2 to 25.2.
But going further into 285/30 size territory would drop it down to 24.7 which might be a bit too low? Thoughts?
Provoste?

Ha! You're right on the torque, agreed. I never once driving my car on the OE wheels thought.... man I just need tighter gearing.

While I wouldn't ever advocate buying 18's just for the gearing, I do love that benefit. Between the smaller OD, and the MUCH lighter wheel & tire package afforded by 18's... the difference is staggering on track.

2nd to 5th gears, are now noticable tighter, and you still have the option to go up gears in areas you'd never have even considered on OE wheels. When I saw my new PB at Putnam Park last year was holding 4th gear through T2 (a corner I ALWAYS downshift to 3rd for), I could hardly beleive it. That is a result of tighter gearing... yes, but I'd argue more importantly is the enormous reduction in unsprung weight. The car just accelarates harder.

Re: doing a 285/30 w/ 24.7 OD- I've never come close to running out of 5th gear, even @ 150mph at VIR, so I don't think it would be a big deal.

[TrackClub]

Ya: unsprung weight - good point!
If only i had a local Pirelli scrubs source....
Thats the only reason id go back to a PITA of carrying an extra set to a track/swapping start/end of day etc. BUT that's me Getting lazy in my old age lol!

As far as street tires i really dont think there is a better value pace/price wise at $1000usd a set. But again, thats as seen thru my lense/purpose/etc.

[Provoste]

Originally Posted by TrackClub

Ya: unsprung weight - good point!
If only i had a local Pirelli scrubs source....
Thats the only reason id go back to a PITA of carrying an extra set to a track/swapping start/end of day etc. BUT that's me Getting lazy in my old age lol!

As far as street tires i really dont think there is a better value pace/price wise at $1000usd a set. But again, thats as seen thru my lense/purpose/etc.

OE G3's are $1,380 USD here. Discount Direct/Tire Rack are w/in $10 of each other. I'd agree if we could get them for $1,000 USD a set.

[TrackClub]

Www.quattrotires.com
$1300CAD which is about $1000 in real dollars
I believe they ship to you guys. But not 100% certain.
Could be worth a call...

[TrackClub]

Actually $1223cad...

[TrackClub]

Just one important thing: please please please do NOT ask them why they are so cheap!!! We pay too much for tires up here as it is

[glamcem]

hiya folks, I hope all's been good
I was planning to try these tires .. They're great for the money IMO, for the reference 305-325 NT01s and 285/295 TD221s results in similar lap times on a faster course meaning it should be slightly faster on a tight course (due to weight and gearing advantage)

Toyo RRs are great tires for the money and they have 295/30/18 and 315/30/18 sizes and prices are awesome ($200 for the 295s and $300 for the 315s)
https://philstireservice.com/shop/toyo-proxes-rr/

and here's the other option (TD 221s)
https://www.discounttiredirect.com/b...xoCt64QAvD_BwE

You can always get used slicks but in my experience I had a bad set and ended up running off track once because of that.

[TrackClub]

Hey Cem good to hear from ya!
Have u put an ls3 in your Miata yet?

NB i recall looking at some of these great priced Ventus tires and they were VERY old stock so buyer beware: ask for production dates!

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by TrackClub

Hey Cem good to hear from ya!
Have u put an ls3 in your Miata yet?

NB i recall looking at some of these great priced Ventus tires and they were VERY old stock so buyer beware: ask for production dates!

Haha not yet, those LS/LTx conversions are expensive so I will try to fill the HP gap with Edelbrock Supercharger kit but not right away. I want to be able to see what this puppy can do in N/A form first

Speaking of the production dates, I agree it's always good to check them but in my previous experience (not specifically Hankooks) I have never received tires older than 3-4 years and they typically last as long as 6-7 years and since these type of tires are only good for 20-25 heatcycles I was never worried.

They shouldn't be allowed to sell expired tires, right?

[TrackClub]

Ya they shouldnt but some do. Imo soft rubber turns into a hockey puck with time and ive noticed a significant drop in performance on anything older than 3 yrs in this category. Personally i dont buy anything older than 1yr.

Let is know how your new car does! All the best!