Question for track guys on 18s
 

Looking at switching over to 18" wheels for weight and cost savings plus not having to swap out tires. Been running 305 and 265 RE11s on my stock Nismos and love them but they don't make many 18" tire sizes. What Brand and size do some of you run? Staggered or square open to both thanks

Most guys are doing 18x10.5 square with 275+ square (I think hotrod is even up in the 300s square). Just go with what your skill dictates. Im going to be running federal tires as they're cheap and perform well. Also considered the RS4 from hankook, and Next SUR tires. Most any 200tw tire will do but I've read those three have the best life on track as well as retain their grip the longest due to heat on the track. I've heard from many people that the RE71r loses is capability after it gets too much heat from track sessions (more of an autoX or Time Attack tire)

My set up will be:
18x10.5 +15 275/35/18 square for the better part of this year

Hope I see you at a jzilla event this year!


Edit: if you go with a square set up its usually advised to throw a stiffer front sway up front and leave the rear alone. Not sure what you currently have but just thought I'd put it out there

RE71r were my 2nd choice :crying: I get a good deal on Bridgestone tires. Thanks for the advice about front sways heard that before but had forgot. I plan on doing the Jzilla's Charlotte motor speedway event and road Atlanta event this year. So might see you there.

If you want to get the most out your tires go with a square setup. I would recommend 18 x 10.5. I am running 18 x 11 square plus 18 with 315 Nitto nt01. I also have a set of 18 x 10.5 with 295 Toyo r888. If you are keeping your 19's for street duty I would get a 100 tread r compound tire. I would go with Toyo r888r on the Nitto nt01. The Nitto's are awesome and will out last re71r. Nitto's are expensive and many are running r888r because they are almost as good but are cheaper than both nt01 and re71r.

I have heard good things about the NT01s aswell but the sizing for 19s is limited. What front tire would you use for the fronts from the NT01 they only come in 3 sizes and I think 235 is a bit small and 285 is too big?
235/35ZR19,285/35ZR19,305/30ZR19

If you are sticking with a 19" wheel I would go 285 square...285 will fit up front at stock height.

On a stock Nismo ray 9.5 or 10.5 or both? New to offsets and tire setups this is where I'm having the trouble choosing size and setups

Yes, there is a tread dedicated to those wanting to go with fat tires on Nismo wheels. Some are running 325 on the rear and 285 up front.

I believe ssfirehawk is running 285 square and he does a few track days. I still think running 18s is the way to go. If you can handle the initial cost of wheels and tires you will recoup your loss overtime in the savings on buying tires.

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Does everyone run the same offset on the front and rear wheels and wheel spacers in the rear? For people running square tire setups.

some people do sure, I'm just going with a 10.5 +15 all the way around. I've got enough camber/ride height to tuck the front wheel on compression.

It all depends on what wheels you buy and what off sets they offer. My Enkie nt01 are 18x10.5 plus 30 and I run 15 mm spacers up front. My Volk TE SLs are 18x11 plus 18 and the fronts polk but don't rub anywhere.

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Ideally you want to run square tires, square wheels and square offsets. That way you can rotate freely without any constraint or concern with fitment.
I am running Nexen SUR4 275's all around, on 18 x 10 et +25 with a 20mm spacer in the rear. I've been running that spacer for 2 years now on the track and never had a single issue.