AutoX 140 street tire info for H-Stock Focus?

[cashmo]

Thinking about setting up our son's 2001 ZX3 for HS on 140 treadwear street tires. Stock shocks and bars. Since aftermarket 16x6 rims seem to be unobtanium we're looking for a used set of stock wheels. Are we better off with the OEM size of 205/50-16 or larger 225/50-16 size tires? Dunlop Star Specs, Hankook RS-3 or Yokohama AD08's?

Thanks,
Jeff Cashmore
Milwaukee, WI

[tukaniSVT]

First, welcome to the forum.

I have the 225/50-16 Hankook RS-3s ... and I am real happy with them. Super sticky during the dry days. But once it gets wet ... really need to work on it.

The Dunlap Star Specs are another great choice, I have met many people in our regional runs that use the Star Specs and love them as well.

Good luck finding the tires and wheels you want. Check out our BST (Buy Sale Trade) area for deals on wheels. Link CLICK HERE

-Ray-

[cashmo]

Debating between the 205 and 225's. Do the wider 225's feel mushy or roll over much?

Thanks,
Jeff

[tukaniSVT]

Well, like I was recommended, the more rubber that contacts the road the better the traction for the sudden transitions in AutoX.

For me, I love the planted feel of the 225s. I have ran in AutoX with 215s, and just feel more planted than those with 225. But it's not a good test though, because my 215s were the comfy Kumhos as oppose to sticky ones like these Hankook RS3s.

-Ray-

[mellephants]

Look at the Bridgestone RE11 as well. I am on a 205/50-15 RE11 now, and it is the fastest street tire I have ever run on my Focus. I am in love with the shorter gearing, decreased rotational inertia, and the FEEL, oh the feel. They give you an insane amount of information when you approach the high, but very consistent and predictable limit. My previous autocross tire, which I'm still running on the street, and frequently doing direct swap comparisons with, is a 205/50-16 StarSpec. The StarSpec is known to have a somewhat vague feel, so I wasn't surprised to find the RE11 feels better. Oh I guess to validate this rave RE11 review, I should quote+link this thread:

Originally Posted by mellephants

The tires that I have chosen to use for autocross racing, in order, are

On a 16x7" wheel: 225/50-16 (24.86", 4.43") BFGoodrich g-Force Sport
On a 16x7" wheel: 205/50-16 (24.07", 4.04") Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec
On a 16x7" wheel: 225/50-16 (24.88", 4.34") Hoosier A6
On a 15x7" wheel: 225/50-15 (23.86", 4.34") Kumho Ecsta V710
On a 15x7" wheel: 205/50-15 (23.07", 4.04") Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
On a 15x7" wheel: 225/45-15 (22.97", 3.99") Hankook Ventus R-S3 (I have not used this tire yet)

Note that I am currently using the 205/50-15 RE11, but I am going to try the 225/45-15 RS3 or the 225/45-15 Z214 next season. I am going to because the size is both wider and shorter, and I've heard nothing but praise for both of the Hankooks.

Pricing on the RE11 is a lot higher than the competition, but they will last almost twice the number of competitive events than, say, a StarSpec.

Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
205/45R16 87V $177.00 (ea.)
225/50R16 92V $145.00 (ea.)

Oh, since I'm on the subject, I cannot give a fair review of the 16" Hooser vs the 15" Kumho. They were both quite fast, but I ran them a few months apart, with different car setup, and significant driver development, in between.