Autocross tire selection advice for a lowly 2010 V6 auto car...

[Unaf-Ford-able]

Howdy, everyone.

I have secured a 2010 Synergy auto car recently, and I thought it might be fun to try this beast out with a local autocross group. The initial general idea is the leave the car alone, go out and get used to the thing, and then make improvements if and when they are necessary.

The first thing, however, are...tires. I need to replace them, as the previous owner installed a set of mileage/comfort units on the stock 19x8" wheels, and they're freaking terrible.

I was thinking of starting off with:
A set of 20x8/20x9 SS wheels (I already have a set)
And concerning tires...that's where I'm drawing a blank. I was thinking of a set of Conti DWS 06's just to get started, but I don't think they're going to be surprisingly grippy, especially up front with a 245/45 tire. Beyond that, I was leaning more toward something in a 300-340 treadwear, that way, I've got better grip, but also some give if I push it a bit overboard.

Or, are the fronts too narrow for this beast?

Any suggestions that pop up? I've done autocross before, but it's been a hell of a long time, and the Camaro is what I have to play with (I'm sized like Shrek, I don't fit vertically and shoulder-width-wise in a lot of smaller cars, even all generations of Corvette are out), and I don't have a working data set yet for what to start out with concerning this car.

[olblue75]

The 300-340 tires are ok but think you’ll be disappointed if you can find a set of 280 tires that would be probably best. But in auto cross you don’t generally get the tires up to temp since they are short runs unless your on a big course.

[Unaf-Ford-able]

Originally Posted by olblue75

The 300-340 tires are ok but think you’ll be disappointed if you can find a set of 280 tires that would be probably best. But in auto cross you don’t generally get the tires up to temp since they are short runs unless your on a big course.

I'm not trying to generate FTOD with this car...at least not yet, lol. I have a much more precision instrument in an Infiniti G35, but I'd at least like to have a bit more fun with the Camaro.

I think I'd like to put more tire on the front of the car at the very least, or at least square the rolling stock...or am I worrying about nothing at my HP level?

[morepowerjoe]

I've been auto crossing my Camaro lately. I have the Goodyear Eagle F1 super car 3 and have been happy with them. But I'm running a 20X10 275/35/20 in the front and a 20X11 305/35/20 in the rear. I do have understeer because of the power level that I'm at but I don't think you'll have to worry about that with your V6, no insult intended. But if you are worried about understeer I would go with a square set up like 20X10 and like a 295/40/20 all around.

[Unaf-Ford-able]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

I've been auto crossing my Camaro lately. I have the Goodyear Eagle F1 super car 3 and have been happy with them. But I'm running a 20X10 275/35/20 in the front and a 20X11 305/35/20 in the rear. I do have understeer because of the power level that I'm at but I don't think you'll have to worry about that with your V6, no insult intended. But if you are worried about understeer I would go with a square set up like 20X10 and like a 295/40/20 all around.

I have a set of squared 20x9's (two sets of 2010 SS rears) wheels that I was thinking of running, along with 275/40's as an attempt to get used to this car.

I'm not insulted/offended by any mention of this V6, I'm actually kind of curious as to what I can do with it concerning the chassis and brakes...and other than maybe a limited slip swap, touching nothing concerning the engine or transmission, other than maybe some bolt-ons in the engine compartment. The car is paid for, and I'll never get enough out of it to buy anything faster, so why not see if I can have some fun with the thing?

[morepowerjoe]

Yeah that'll work. One advantage that you'll have with the V6 is that you can run it to it's potential. Because on an engine like mine you have to baby the throttle around trying not to break traction. But I think that you will want a limited slip though.

[olblue75]

If you wanna try a good tire set try a 285 square set up an if you find a a good used set of 1LE/ZL1 wheels I think you’ll be hooked. I run a set of Gen6 ZL1/1LE wheels 19x11 an 12’s with 315/325’s Supercar 3R’s I haven’t tried it in Auto X but it’s a cool set on the big track. I think with the width front an back it would work as well on a small course.

[joelster]

You do not want 20's on that car. I'd rock some 18's. If you could get yourself a set of 18's then you could have your pick of any of the hot tires out there right now. If you could get an 18x9 or 18x10 and run a 285/30 or 295/30 that would be ideal imo.

[Unaf-Ford-able]

Originally Posted by joelster

You do not want 20's on that car. I'd rock some 18's. If you could get yourself a set of 18's then you could have your pick of any of the hot tires out there right now. If you could get an 18x9 or 18x10 and run a 285/30 or 295/30 that would be ideal imo.

IF you don't mind my asking, what is wrong with the 20" rolling stock? The wheelwell openings are a bit huge for 18" or 19" wheels (the stock 19"s are on the car right now), or is it simply an issue with lack of tire availability in a 20?

[ariZona28]

Originally Posted by Unaf-Ford-able

I have a set of squared 20x9's (two sets of 2010 SS rears) wheels that I was thinking of running, along with 275/40's as an attempt to get used to this car.

Do this! Get some good tires like Michelin Pilot Sport 4S or the A/S version. Regardless of how deep you get into the hobby they will be excellent performers on the street. Run what you have until you decide your interest level. You can always upgrade later.

[joelster]

Originally Posted by Unaf-Ford-able

IF you don't mind my asking, what is wrong with the 20" rolling stock? The wheelwell openings are a bit huge for 18" or 19" wheels (the stock 19"s are on the car right now), or is it simply an issue with lack of tire availability in a 20?

There are no top-tier 315 sized 20" autocross tires. There's a few 19's and there's a bunch of 18's. I run 18x11's with 315/30/18's. they might not fill the wheelwell, but they rock the timing sheets!

[Unaf-Ford-able]

Originally Posted by joelster

There are no top-tier 315 sized 20" autocross tires. There's a few 19's and there's a bunch of 18's. I run 18x11's with 315/30/18's. they might not fill the wheelwell, but they rock the timing sheets!

Given that this is my first foray into 5th-Gen territory (the last time I even drove a 5th-Gen before driving and buying the car that's now in the driveway was was...2014?), I was wanting to at least sort of get used to this car first before I went crazy with rolling stock.

Beyond that, yeah, leaning heavily towards shorter wheels.

[joelster]

5th gens are very heavy. Whether it's a V-6 car or a V-8 they are still big. You want as much tire as you can fit under it.

[Trawz]

I moved on from autocross to doing road course track days after getting my 1LE, but the tire principle is quite similar.

Moving down to at lest 19's opens you up to way more tire choices that are a better fit for performance driving.

I still roll on the stock 20x10 - 20x11 because every time I am about to pull the trigger on a dedicated track 19" wheel/tire combo, something pops up that sucks away my "fun money"...
The only good tire I have found for the 20" are the Toyo R888R in 285 and 305.
I have heard mixed feedback about the R88Rs for our heavy cars as well.

I had to work with more "streetable" tire options.
My MPSS were a great "all-around" tire. I ran Nitto Invos for a few years which were "OK".
Not nearly as good as the MPSS but handled hot laps better then I expected.

What Joelster is saying is right. Stepping down to a 19" or 18" wheel that is at least 10-11" wide is the ticket.
More tire options available and you need as much cross-section as you can get for these heavy cars.

Just getting out and having fun in the car is most of it. Run what you got and see how you do!