oem 18" wheels for track use

Luigi · 08-29-2009, 08:08 PM

American guys always think that bigger tires are always better, but it's not always right.

Good sticky and narrow tires like Toyo R888 will give you enough grip and very good steering response, and VERY predictable handling.

If you get wider and wider tires grip doesnt grow up...
and yes, if you leave the standard suspension setup you will get big understeer on tracks...

I'd go with standard 18s for the track, 225/235 front and 245/255/265 rear
the problem is that there are not many track tires in this size range

now the question is, there are some cheap 18x8 and 18x9 wheels?

Mike · 08-30-2009, 08:35 AM

our standard size here is 245 front and 275 rear with the sport package. With a square 275 setup, I will dial out some of the factory understeer.

As to your question, I know of no cheap 18s, and couldn't find any when looking. Stock 350Z rays without widening would work for what you want with spacers. They are 18x8 front and 18x8.5 rear.

kdoske · 08-30-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luigi

American guys always think that bigger tires are always better, but it's not always right.

Good sticky and narrow tires like Toyo R888 will give you enough grip and very good steering response, and VERY predictable handling.

If you get wider and wider tires grip doesnt grow up...
and yes, if you leave the standard suspension setup you will get big understeer on tracks...

I'd go with standard 18s for the track, 225/235 front and 245/255/265 rear
the problem is that there are not many track tires in this size range

now the question is, there are some cheap 18x8 and 18x9 wheels?

Sometimes I wish China would just become the superpower of the world already just so I don't have to listen to stupid **** like this anymore. 3 years out of the spot light should do it I think.

American's blah, American's blah blah blah. So over it.

Oh and just so you don't counter and say I am yet another American self proclaiming his country as a 'Superpower' country here...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superpower

bluzman · 08-30-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdoske

Sometimes I wish China would just become the superpower of the world already just so I don't have to listen to stupid **** like this anymore. 3 years out of the spot light should do it I think.

American's blah, American's blah blah blah. So over it.

Oh and just so you don't counter and say I am yet another American self proclaiming his country as a 'Superpower' country here...
Superpower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Christ almighty, who pissed in your Cheerios this morning?? The discussion is about wheels and tires, not missile launch codes, for crying out loud. Get a grip, man.

Snakebite202 · 08-30-2009, 11:49 AM

American guys always think that bigger tires are always better, but it's not always right. - In relation to what type of racing???

Good sticky and narrow tires like Toyo R888 will give you enough grip and very good steering response, and VERY predictable handling. - This statement is bullcrap unless you're rally racing on snow/ice.

If you get wider and wider tires grip doesnt grow up...
and yes, if you leave the standard suspension setup you will get big understeer on tracks... - This statement makes no sense.

I'd go with standard 18s for the track, 225/235 front and 245/255/265 rear
the problem is that there are not many track tires in this size range - Then why are you asking us?

now the question is, there are some cheap 18x8 and 18x9 wheels? - Go to ebay...

Yes, I'm having a bad day.

The Arp · 08-30-2009, 12:46 PM

[QUOTE=Snakebite202;178184]American guys always think that bigger tires are always better, but it's not always right. - In relation to what type of racing??? Who says he is racing he might just be doing HPDE's in that case he may not be interested in the absolutely fastest tire package. Also, balance and control is important and plays a big role in tire selection.

If you want proof look a the caterham lineup. The fastest most track oriented of their cars the superlight R500 runs 6" front and 8" rears while the CSR a slightly slower car at the same power lever runs 6.5" front and 9" rears. If your not familar with caterhams they have power to weight ratios that rival most supercars and are extremely quick at the track.

Good sticky and narrow tires like Toyo R888 will give you enough grip and very good steering response, and VERY predictable handling. - This statement is bullcrap unless you're rally racing on snow/ice. Narrow tires start break away at lower cornering loads often making breakaway more predictable and easier to control. Also tires are heavy and absorb energy while accelerating so if you have the amount of grip you desire and the amount of forward traction you need, going wider might actually lower your straight-line speed.

Also depending on the drivers skill level, jumping onto a set of 11" wide slicks (which might offer the most grip) might do nothing but reinforce bad habits and hurt driver skill progression.

I think it would be important to understand where the OP is coming from and what he is looking for in his wheel and tire package before it's written off as a dumb idea.

08-29-2009, 08:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Luigi Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Italy Posts: 22 Drives: BMW 325i Rep Power: 17	American guys always think that bigger tires are always better, but it's not always right. Good sticky and narrow tires like Toyo R888 will give you enough grip and very good steering response, and VERY predictable handling. If you get wider and wider tires grip doesnt grow up... and yes, if you leave the standard suspension setup you will get big understeer on tracks... I'd go with standard 18s for the track, 225/235 front and 245/255/265 rear the problem is that there are not many track tires in this size range now the question is, there are some cheap 18x8 and 18x9 wheels? Last edited by Luigi; 08-29-2009 at 08:12 PM.

08-30-2009, 08:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2187	our standard size here is 245 front and 275 rear with the sport package. With a square 275 setup, I will dial out some of the factory understeer. As to your question, I know of no cheap 18s, and couldn't find any when looking. Stock 350Z rays without widening would work for what you want with spacers. They are 18x8 front and 18x8.5 rear. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

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08-30-2009, 11:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
Snakebite202 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sumter, SC Posts: 182 Drives: Future 370z owner Rep Power: 429	American guys always think that bigger tires are always better, but it's not always right. - *In relation to what type of racing???* Good sticky and narrow tires like Toyo R888 will give you enough grip and very good steering response, and VERY predictable handling. - *This statement is bullcrap unless you're rally racing on snow/ice.* If you get wider and wider tires grip doesnt grow up... and yes, if you leave the standard suspension setup you will get big understeer on tracks... - *This statement makes no sense.* I'd go with standard 18s for the track, 225/235 front and 245/255/265 rear the problem is that there are not many track tires in this size range - *Then why are you asking us?* now the question is, there are some cheap 18x8 and 18x9 wheels? - *Go to ebay...* Yes, I'm having a bad day.

08-30-2009, 12:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
The Arp Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Simi Valley Posts: 38 Drives: 2009 370z white m6 Rep Power: 17	[QUOTE=Snakebite202;178184]American guys always think that bigger tires are always better, but it's not always right. - *In relation to what type of racing???* Who says he is racing he might just be doing HPDE's in that case he may not be interested in the absolutely fastest tire package. Also, balance and control is important and plays a big role in tire selection. If you want proof look a the caterham lineup. The fastest most track oriented of their cars the superlight R500 runs 6" front and 8" rears while the CSR a slightly slower car at the same power lever runs 6.5" front and 9" rears. If your not familar with caterhams they have power to weight ratios that rival most supercars and are extremely quick at the track. Good sticky and narrow tires like Toyo R888 will give you enough grip and very good steering response, and VERY predictable handling. - *This statement is bullcrap unless you're rally racing on snow/ice.* Narrow tires start break away at lower cornering loads often making breakaway more predictable and easier to control. Also tires are heavy and absorb energy while accelerating so if you have the amount of grip you desire and the amount of forward traction you need, going wider might actually lower your straight-line speed. Also depending on the drivers skill level, jumping onto a set of 11" wide slicks (which might offer the most grip) might do nothing but reinforce bad habits and hurt driver skill progression. I think it would be important to understand where the OP is coming from and what he is looking for in his wheel and tire package before it's written off as a dumb idea.