R spec tyres - which one and which size?

[vaccine]

Sti 17x8 from 02-04 are all 9kg each.. Farken heavy
I got some work emotion cr kai's. 6.9kg that 2.1 each wheel is huge

[RX25SE]

I have the Hankook RS2's (now superseded by the RS3) on the Gen III and I have found them very good, just a little noisy which I would have expected from a directional tread pattern.
When the GenIV is up for tyres I will be looking closely at the RS3.

[dr20t]

Vaccine thanks for the info on the rims - interesting fact.

So those reccomending hankook rs3's - are these a full r spec or in the same category as the ku36's and federal 595's?

Mick

[RX25SE]

I wouldn't call them R spec really.

More like a performance street tyre,

[dr20t]

I wouldn't call them R spec really.

More like a performance street tyre,

Thanks for confirming

So if I narrow it down to just r specs, which would be reccomended other than the re55's Gino spoke of?

(Btw nice gxl in your avatar - reminds me of my brother's old one )

Mick

[mynameisdaniel]

Or I can get my hands on a set of these:
17" 02-05 wrx Sti rims - 17x8 - don't know weight but I guestimate 8-8.5kg

These are actually 17"x7.5" (Or there's a knock-off 7" version getting around). Lots of the WRX guys here run 235 tyres on these quite successfully which is what I'll be doing on my set. They're heavier than my 18" STi enkeis, but smaller rim/tyre gives you less rotational inertia as already stated

[RX25SE]

(Btw nice gxl in your avatar - reminds me of my brother's old one )

Thanks Mick.
Kinda spewing I sold it after 20 years ownership.....

(Its actually a Fairmont, as GXL was four door only)



I would be interested in hearing what tyres you end up with and what you think of them.

[dr20t]

Or I can get my hands on a set of these:
17" 02-05 wrx Sti rims - 17x8 - don't know weight but I guestimate 8-8.5kg

These are actually 17"x7.5" (Or there's a knock-off 7" version getting around). Lots of the WRX guys here run 235 tyres on these quite successfully which is what I'll be doing on my set. They're heavier than my 18" STi enkeis, but smaller rim/tyre gives you less rotational inertia as already stated

Thanks Daniel

So despite the sprung weight being slightly heavier, the 17 presents a better option.

Vaccine - you sure about that? I'm fairly certain my brothers was a gxl (9" rear, fmx, power everything...)?

[RX25SE]

Vaccine - you sure about that? I'm fairly certain my brothers was a gxl (9" rear, fmx, power everything...)?

Yup.

Mine had all the gear.

GXL was a 4 door Fairmont will all the gear, PLUS corduroy trim and additional door pull handles that were not fitted to the coupes.

[dr20t]

Vaccine - you sure about that? I'm fairly certain my brothers was a gxl (9" rear, fmx, power everything...)?

Yup.

Mine had all the gear.

GXL was a 4 door Fairmont will all the gear, PLUS corduroy trim and additional door pull handles that were not fitted to the coupes.

Gotcha

Still very nice. Miss his car severely. Stage 3 351 4V heads 650 double pumper etc etc.

Went well for a tank

Back on topic...

Now tossing up between the federal fz201, bridgestone re55s or hankook z221

The rest are really semi slicks (although the toyo r888 and federal 595 are almost r spec compound in street legal form)

Most likely going to fit this to 17 x 7.5 or 8" wheel of some sort in 235 45 17 form

Full slicks require a cage which I am also looking into so depending on how much power I end up making will decide on whether this is an option

Mick

[RX25SE]

Have you investigated the tread-wear ratings for each?

This will give you an idea of the compound.

[dr20t]

Have you investigated the tread-wear ratings for each?

This will give you an idea of the compound.

Good point

Ill start updating the tread wear rating of each tyre I listed in my first post

That should help decide too

Mick

[coyote]

I don't think anything else on your list is even in the same class as the Hankook Z221.

You didn't mention Dunlop. Any reason why not? The DZ03G is a pretty good piece of gear.

As for wheels, I'd have more faith in a new set of Rotas than a 10 year old set of skinny, heavy STi wheels.

17x8 +42 Rota Titans (TC105N ripoffs) with 235/45 Z221s and you'll almost keep up with the Yaris

[senator]

As for wheels, I'd have more faith in a new set of Rotas than a 10 year old set of skinny, heavy STi wheels.

:

+1

Can’t believe I’m agreeing to this, but when I was hunting sti wheels I came across many sets…….. most were badly repaired, I wouldn’t even trust them as a coffee table.

[Manaz]

Back to front mate. Work out what tyres you're going to run, then get wheels to suit.

Yeah that's my point - based on reccomendations I should run with a 235 or 245 17

Therefore I need an 8 inch wide 17 rim



Mick

You can easily run a 235 width tyre on a 7.5" wheel. I did it for five years with no issues.