Thread: Stiff sidewalls.

Just got new wheels the Lancer OZ edition. They are 15 x 6 so a 205 - 55- 15 tire is what I am thinking. I want to go with something that I could track and auto-x as well as street dive. So performance is a necessity but also tread wear. I want to know what tires have an ultra stiff side wall so I can reduce the lag in cornering considering I would need a 55 sidewall.

Think I could run a wider tire in a 6 inch rim with a smaller sidewall? 215,225 etc. Think I would have many gains from doing so.

I also understand that stock is 215 so wider than that would be optimal. But I picked these up for $100 and they only weight 14.9lbs a wheel.

Looking at Dunlop Direzza DZ101, Yokohama S.Drive

my suggestion would be...

215/45/17 vs 225/55/15

height:
24.62" vs 24.72"

width:
8.64" vs 8.86"

speedo reading:
65mph vs 65.33mph

I think a 225 is to wide for a 6" rim that would be driven aggressively. But I'm open to suggestions.

205 - 55 - 15
Overall Diameter:23.87 inSpeedometer1:61.8 mph103. km/Speedometer Difference: 3.100% too fast

They say keep it with in 3%

Plus there isn't much selection at 225.
- BFG G-force Sports
-and DOT street slicks.

Another tire that would be good to look into in the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11. I autocross on those tires and used to drive on them every day. They have excellent handeling in the dry and really come to life in the corners. I have never raced on the dunlop tires but have heard good things about them

Edit-Looked it up and they done make them in 205 55 15

They only come 205/50/15 which is around 6% difference. At 60mph I'd be doing 64.

for auto X i would think you would want some 17s at least?

Im looking @ some 17x7.5 offset +42 that weigh 16.5 lbs for $140 a piece.

My plan is to run 235 45 17s on them to get the power to the ground (R comp tires for my DD LOL)

Yeah if I could pick and choose I would love to have some nice 17's with the perfect offset. But I don't live in a perfect world ha. I picked up the OZ wheels for $100 all together. (hard to beat) So unless they really aren't good for my application i'll be running them.

just adding, instead of an overly wide tire, there are wheel spacers and longer studs offered from is it 2jr or fir, one of them. if you go overly wide you will lose the stiffness of the sidewall, youll want something that fits almost perfectly on the rim. and the smaller the sidewall the more stiff it usually is, 55 -> 50 -> stiffer. with a 50, im sure your gas mileage will be horrible for daily driving, but will whip you around on the autox. im not sure about tires, i have 17" s.drives, they are great for price and wet ground, but i dont think theyre comp spec tires. s.drives are the econo tire from yokohama, meaning the cheaper version of their high end tires.

Originally Posted by CamCondy

Yeah if I could pick and choose I would love to have some nice 17's with the perfect offset. But I don't live in a perfect world ha. I picked up the OZ wheels for $100 all together. (hard to beat) So unless they really aren't good for my application i'll be running them.

Why dot you run your stock wheels with some 2JR 20mm spacers+ longer studs and leave the 15" wheels for daily driving?

i would do the opposite, wait i do the opposite :X

stock 17s are my daily
after 15s were track, now my snow wheels

but the spacers will help, im not sure how they affect the turning radius on this car tho, so im not sure if the large 20mm is too big for small autox courses.

looks like you're doing it backwards buddy lol

when you have to explain to someone how physics works, its common to think its backwards.

regardless, the op was looking for a stiffer sidewall, not change in rim size.

Originally Posted by i68k

when you have to explain to someone how physics works, its common to think its backwards.

regardless, the op was looking for a stiffer sidewall, not change in rim size.

how do physics work? please enlighten me. shorter sidewall = stiffer sidewall period.

why do drift cars run a stretch tire? because it doesnt allow side wall flex making the car "stiffer" and easier to slide.

touring cars and road race cars tend to run short sidewalls as well.

last time i checked, tires dont come with sidewall stiffness ratings.

I know what the OP asked, I was simply stating the fact that 17's with a 40-45 aspect ratio are better suited for auto x vs a 15" wheel with a 55-60 aspect ratio.

Originally Posted by CamCondy

They only come 205/50/15 which is around 6% difference. At 60mph I'd be doing 64.

Originally Posted by i68k

...and the smaller the sidewall the more stiff it usually is, 55 -> 50 -> stiffer.....

Originally Posted by CORN DOG

how do physics work? please enlighten me. shorter sidewall = stiffer sidewall period.

I know what the OP asked, I was simply stating the fact that 17's with a 40-45 aspect ratio are better suited for auto x vs a 15" wheel with a 55-60 aspect ratio.

im glad we agree, except he said 205/50/15, which has a smaller circumference than the 2x5/45/17. not that theyre lighter, but smaller.

Amazon.com: Physics For Dummies (0785555107915): Steve Holzner: Books

Thanks for the book, the point was for YOU to enlighten my dim view on physics (according to you) Moving on.........

SO....... what ever happened with your tire selection Cam??

go with falken azenis rt-615 205/50r15 you wont regret it , the sidewall is very stiff , 200 treadwear and this is a very predictable tire, I run azenis on the street and on the track, (lapping and time-attack) for about 4 years and I have not a single bad comment,

http://www.falkentire.com/Tires/Pass...nis-RT-615K-14

^yup, Azenis, you'll be amazed.. It's like glue.

I had them in two sizes:
-195/60-14 in my old GXE, it instantly turned way more competitive in autocross, it gripped like it was glued to the floor... Literally, I couldn't take a corner fast enough to break them loose.

-225/40-18 in my SpecV, again tons of grip even when bald I still managed to out- launch every other car and take insane corners without touching the brakes. Kinda feel bad for my suspension..

to get an idea of sidewall stifness you can compare weight carrying potential. this is measured. this isnt always right but is ushually a good rule of thumb. a "stronger" tire is a "stiffer" tire