Tire Width

[StangIT]

I run a 205/55/14 do you think I can get by with a wider width and mybe a little taller tire but keep the same rim size, any thoughts.

[Mike Guenther]

My first thought was...what size rim are you talking about. java script:emoticon('', 'smid_14&#39

[StangIT]

14

[Knestis]

We use a 255-50-14 on 6x14 wheels on our Golf - Hoosiers. No problems.

Now, whether they are ultimately faster than 205s or not, we don't know.

K

[gran racing]

255s? To think that some people whine when I bring my 225s for mounting on 6" rims. LOL Just teasing ya Kirk.

Stang, you should also check to verify that your tires won't rub against the strut/shock tower or any other part of the car. I had some 225s mounted on a Neon and they rubbed on the front of the car requiring some "wheel spacers" to get through the event.

[JohnRW]

Unless you have the horsepower to push them, there is a point at which bigger tires just slow you down. The energy required to push them down the straights is greater than the energy you save in corners.

If this discussion is about 255's on an ITB Mustang, somebody needs to say "Bigger isn't necessarily better".

[JLawton]

I "think" Kirk meant 225. And yes, your tire guy will bitch.

[Knestis]

Oh, poop - I did mean 225. That was pre-coffee.

And yes, we DO run spacers, too. This is a VW w/struts.

K

[lateapex911]

Kirk, have you done any testing to help that call? I always worry about those compromises, like, is the contact patch really effective, or would a smaller size be actually better. (Not to mention Johns point)

[Knestis]

I've never been flush enough to do a back-to-back comparo between the 205 and 225 (ignoring the 255 option for now).

In talking to Phil Phillips, the tie-breaker for us was that we emphasize the long races. More rubber on the ground should translate into better tire wear, more miles between stops, and more consistent performance over a long stint.

I will tell you that with the 225s, we have NEVER seen anything like the "optimum" tire temps that Hoosier talks about. That suggests to me that (1) our proposition above is sound, and (2) we are over-tired to some degree.

The two options are almost exactly the same height with the Hoosiers, btw - so that's a non-issue.

If I were running sprint races at Daytona, I would run right out and get a set of the narrower skins. If I wanted to get crazy, I'd try 225s on the front and 205s on the back for a few sessions, just to see what we'd learn!

Of course, I'd also like to try rear drum brakes to reduce rolling resistance - add it to the list.

K