18'' or 17''

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Old Jul 18, 2008 | 07:24 AM
  #1  
jeff_lee_rey's Avatar
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18'' or 17''

Hi, I am thinking of going to track during this summer. With less than 10k miles on my 06', the rear tires life is about 50% and the front's life is about 70%. So, I am planning to get a new set of wheels and tires. And I am struggling in some questions. Hope you guys can give me some tips.

1)Should I use my factory tires for track days and buy a new set of wheels and tires for normal street driving or should I buy a new set of wheels and tires for track day and keep using the factory wheels and tires for normal street driving?

2)If I bought 18" for the new set of wheels without any modification on the suspension system, am I good to go on track day or normal street driving? Or should I stay with 17" for the new wheels?

*for the new wheels, I will buy high performance tires with it.
Thankyou guys.
Old Jul 18, 2008 | 08:12 AM
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Originally Posted by jeff_lee_rey
Hi, I am thinking of going to track during this summer. With less than 10k miles on my 06', the rear tires life is about 50% and the front's life is about 70%. So, I am planning to get a new set of wheels and tires. And I am struggling in some questions. Hope you guys can give me some tips.

1)Should I use my factory tires for track days and buy a new set of wheels and tires for normal street driving or should I buy a new set of wheels and tires for track day and keep using the factory wheels and tires for normal street driving?

2)If I bought 18" for the new set of wheels without any modification on the suspension system, am I good to go on track day or normal street driving? Or should I stay with 17" for the new wheels?

*for the new wheels, I will buy high performance tires with it.
Thankyou guys.
Go with 18's or with 17's with a low pro series. 35 or 40. Th smaller your sidewall the less lateral movent the tires make, thus making turning tighter.

How often do you plan to track? If you are going to track regularly (once every 2 months) but some nice lightweight rims for the track and keep oem's for DD. If you are going to track like twice a year, put some good rubbers on the oem's and keep your nice shoes for DD. That way you look good driving around town. LOL
Old Jul 19, 2008 | 06:54 AM
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Originally Posted by dezignpro04
Go with 18's or with 17's with a low pro series. 35 or 40. Th smaller your sidewall the less lateral movent the tires make, thus making turning tighter.

How often do you plan to track? If you are going to track regularly (once every 2 months) but some nice lightweight rims for the track and keep oem's for DD. If you are going to track like twice a year, put some good rubbers on the oem's and keep your nice shoes for DD. That way you look good driving around town. LOL
I think we can only go on track when it's summer here. I don't have enough money to go to track every 2 months, but I think I am going to the track no more than 3 times a year.
So, what you mean is putting new tires on the OEM and put the rubber that I am using right now on the new wheels?
Old Jul 19, 2008 | 07:04 AM
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I would use the stock rims with a set of track tires for track days. and 17" for the street. Rember the less rubber you have the faster your tire will over heat on long runs. You may gane some turn in with the lopros but they wont last long under hard driving. look at what racers use on the track and deside for your self.
Old Jul 19, 2008 | 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by CAT_101st
I would use the stock rims with a set of track tires for track days. and 17" for the street. Rember the less rubber you have the faster your tire will over heat on long runs. You may gane some turn in with the lopros but they wont last long under hard driving. look at what racers use on the track and deside for your self.
Oh, I see. But where can I find track tires? I went to some local tire store and they told me the high performance tire is already design for the track, like the Michelin Exalto. Are the 'high performance tires' we can buy in normal tire store doing good on track, or we need to go to special tire store to order special track tires?
Old Jul 19, 2008 | 07:44 PM
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this is what I recomend for track only. They are amazing tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....del=g-Force+R1

I run the G-force sport tire. I want the KDW2 for the street but they where out too fast for me on the street.

Last edited by CAT_101st; Jul 19, 2008 at 07:47 PM.
Old Jul 21, 2008 | 11:45 PM
  #7  
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Can the G-force fit our factory rims?
Old Jul 22, 2008 | 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by CAT_101st
I would use the stock rims with a set of track tires for track days. and 17" for the street. Rember the less rubber you have the faster your tire will over heat on long runs. You may gane some turn in with the lopros but they wont last long under hard driving. look at what racers use on the track and deside for your self.
Dude, LeMans and many GT cars run low profile tires.

To the OP....17" will give you best performance.
Old Jul 22, 2008 | 07:53 AM
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I have a set of 18's on street rubber for the every day driving (and rain events) and a set of OEM's with r compounds for autoX's and track days.
Old Jul 22, 2008 | 08:42 AM
  #10  
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Why you guys use stock rims for track day and after market rims for everyday driving?
Is the stock rims have better perforamance?
Old Jul 22, 2008 | 07:59 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by jeff_lee_rey
Why you guys use stock rims for track day and after market rims for everyday driving?
Is the stock rims have better perforamance?

Not I, 'scheaper that way for me. I already have OEM's (2 sets actually) and I liked the look of the 18's for street use. I am not trying to beat the world at the track, I am having fun. To be honest, I don't care what wheels I use at the track. I actually have used my very heavy 18's on street tires at Reno-Fernley Raceway twice when it was raining. It's just to have fun.
Old Jul 22, 2008 | 08:07 PM
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I would probably go with the OEM wheels for the track, and a nice set of 17 or 18's for the street. You don't want you $1000+ set of aftermarket rims to get screwed up, if you have a screw up at the track.




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