Wheel/Tire question

[02SVTsilverstreak]

I'm going to be running in a few months at my local AutoX for the first time out and picked up some stock svt 5 spokes.. I have 3 to be exact and need the 4th. thats beside the point.

I'm planning on wrapping them and using them as a track slut set meaning they will have hamemr on standard wheel weights, and I'm torn among the three tire choices.

Kumho Ecsta XS
Falken Azenis RT-615
Nitto NT-01

All in 215/45/17.

You can tell I like asymmetric tires for rotational purpose. I'm going to be running the SM Class which is going to be extremely competitive. I'mm be reworking my suspension later this year with Eibach Sportline System. Sportline Springs, Pro Dampers, Sway bars, and Ice the cake with Prothane Master bushing kit, moog endlinks (new), moog inner and outer tie rods, new front wheel bearings, new strut hats, and strut bars front and rear, CFM Front control arms.

My car has 108K miles so the suspension is about to be expired. have a little bouncy bouncy on some rolling bumps.


Anyways, give me some thoughts on the rubber. I've never run before, butI dont want to thrash my new EAP's and Neo-Gens.

[Sponsor]

[focusedaddiction]

for your first time out your first two choices would be best
i personally loved the azenis 615....great tire!
haven't run the new kumho XS yet, my wife will this summer though.
The nitto NT-01 is an awsome tire!! it's what i'm on currently. but remember that the nt01 is a "R" compound tire and would be better after you gain some experience in the seat!
SM is a tough class..........and a lot of fun, that's my class as well! lots of STI's, evo's and beemers.
Good luck and have fun!!
steve

[wrc_fan]

I'm a little confused, are you saying you want to be competitive in SM, or that you will be, or there are a lot of people in SM at your local level???

'cause that's not enough tire for SM

SM is a big $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ class to be competitive in

I'd look at running DSP, unless you're running FI

[02SVTsilverstreak]

DSP out here I'd be the only car. Too many modifications for a lower class.

I dont mind the R-Comps and probably would love it. I may go with RT-615's for the hell of it being cheaper. what size are yourunning out of curiosity?

[focusedaddiction]

in sm i'm running a 235/40/17

[focusedaddiction]

225/40/17 in a hoosier would be as good size also.

[xShiFTx]

The Kumho's are extremely popular in my region and everyone is saying they're much better than the "old technology" RT-615's.

I was in your exact position a few months ago and ended up going with the Kumho's for my car. Now I haven't ever drove on the Falkens so I really can't compare them, but these tires have been excellent so far. I've ran 3 events (1 of them being track the rest autocross) and they're holding up well and have great grip.

I also agree with focusedaddiction -If you haven't ran before I would also shy away from R-comps, they tend to mask mistakes and then you develop bad habits.

You may want to look on the scca forums and see what people are saying about all these tires and how well they compare to one another.

[02SVTsilverstreak]

Originally Posted by focusedaddiction

in sm i'm running a 235/40/17

on what size rim? 17 of course but 7" wide?

[focusedaddiction]

7" it is tight, but a few people on here have done it & they are ok. 8" would be better but hard to find for the focus. i'm gonna switch from my 7" enkies to a 7 1/2" rota ( for weight reasons too!..21# compared to 15#.s is a big differance in rotational mass.) when i get the cash this fall for a better contact patch.

[focusedaddiction]

here's a couple pic.s my 235 nt01 & wife's 215-45-16 XS.. no pic.s of mine mounted yet as i'm turboing my car and the wheels are packed away till our season starts up again soon, we had to move recently.

here's a fj'er with 17x7 with 42mm offset, can't remember his name