Staggered Tire Suggestions Needed

[livelyjay]

I've decided to stick with the current setup for '08 since I'll still be running in the Road Tire group. For 2009 I am leaning towards 1/4" spacers, and studs for the front hubs, stock rims, and either Hoosier A6 in 245 fronts and 225 rears or Kumho V710 in 225 all around. Also keep in mind this is my first time with R-Comps. Cost is also a key:

Tires Alone
$1152.70 brand new Hoosier A6s shipped, mounted, balanced, & spacer kit from TurfBurn
$1041.70 brand new Kumho V710s shipped, mounted, balanced, & spacer kit from TurfBurn
$1018.82 brand new Hankook Z214 C71 shipped, mounted, balanced, & spacer kit from TurfBurn

Wheel/Tire Package
$1730.78 shipped with Hoosier A6 and Kosei K1-TS
$1620.16 shipped with Kumho V710 and Kosei K1-TS
$1675.08 shipped with Hankook Z214 C71 and Kosei K1-TS

Used Wheels/Tires
$1200 shipped obo, used Kosei K1-TS with Hoosier A6s in 225/45-17, SCCA forums

 

[moxnix]

With hoosiers you might need spacers in the rear also since mine are rubbing in the rear both inside and out. I do not know the actual sizes of the V710's yet to know if you will have the same issues with them in the rear.

 

[aMaff]

how would spacers help if you're rubbing on BOTH sides?

 

[Auto-Xer]

Hoosiers can be corded in as little as 15 runs; I'd highly suggest something more pedestrian for your first go-around on R's. The Z214s are supposed to wear well and are nicely priced--I think I'd look there unless there are some new offerings between now and then.

 

[moxnix]

how would spacers help if you're rubbing on BOTH sides?

I rub lightly both sides with 50 offset wheels. With 55 offset wheels you are going to be rubbing the strut hard.

 

[livelyjay]

I rub lightly both sides with 50 offset wheels. With 55 offset wheels you are going to be rubbing the strut hard.

Stock struts and springs?

I think I might stay away from the Hoosiers for a bit. The Hankooks are cheaper and no one has said they are piles of crap yet, so I might go for them. Judging by the specs, the Hankooks also run closer to street tire widths, with 225/45-17 coming in at SW 8.9 TW 8.4 and 245/40-17 coming in at SW 9.6 TW 9.1. The Kumhos seem to run in between regular street tires and Hoosiers in SW amd TW as well.

 

[moxnix]

Yes that was with a completely stock suspension.
I have tried the hankook's on both a WRX and a miata and I never got a good feel for them. Other people seem to do very well on them but I never liked the feel of them for some reason. (C50 compound (Road Race)on WRX and C70 (Autocross) compound on Miata) I like the R6's on the MSP and I liked the V710's on my ES miata.

 

[livelyjay]

I think I'll just go with the cheapest I can find, which right now is the Hankook Z214 C70. So I think I'll go with the following:

Stock wheels, 5mm spacers all around, longer studs, open lugs
Hankook Z214 tires in C70 compound
245/40-17 in the front, 225/45-17 in the rear

That should save me enough money so I can replace my struts in 2010. Depending on availability, if I can source some MSP strut bodies for cheap from a wrecking yard I might go for the Tri-Point wet build.