17x9s ordered -- What tires for STX??

[CobaltSSlow]

So I finally got around to buying a set of wheels. Unfortunately for me, the car has a 5x110 bolt pattern (SAAB carryover) and there are a few 18x8s out there, and a few 17x7.5s that will clear the front brakes, but from what I've read (and with STX being so competitive) I think I'm going to want as much tire as I can get. The good news is that Team Dynamics will drill you their Pro Race 1.2s to any specifications so I was able to get them in 5x110 et45. The drawback is that they are made in West Bromwich, UK - and then shipped via boat to California (I was quoted 8-12 weeks, but "probably less than that"). This does give me some extra time to save for tires.

These are the size/color I ordered, but obviously are not mine.


I'll be running a 15mm hubcentric H&R spacer up front to clear the brakes (+30et is required) - the reason I am doing this is so that I can rotate them front-to-back while allowing adequate tire-to-fender clearance in the rear. I do need to get extended studs, which are expensive from GMPP - which are apparently longer than the ARP ones available on summit. I'll only be swapping the front so it is nice that you can buy individually. If anyone knows of a better price on something long enough, let me know. http://www.crateenginedepot.com/Extende ... 9C960.aspx



+30s rear look like trouble to me, especially under a high load:





+45 looks much better:



17x9 will allow me to run anything from a 235 to a 265 (with 245 or 255 being ideal, apparently) comfortably, and it seems like tire choice and price is much better in this diameter.

I've been looking at the cheaper end of the spectrum, since I plan on running alot this year with CR and ETR and other things need to be done (sway bar, springs, brakes, etc) as well as a very strong desire to do some track days. I've been thinking about the Nitto NT-05 which don't seem to be terribly competitive, and take a while to get heat in - but wear well from what I've seen and don't grease up. they would be in 255/40r17. A bit more expensive than the Federals I'm looking at but free shipping makes the two close in price.



The Federal 595 RS-R looks like a decent tire, but the cost was what really caught my eye - 104.00/ea in a 255/40r17 - there are limited reviews, mostly from NASIOC guys for some reason, who seem to like them. I have heard they come up to temp quickly but get greasy when very hot and not as well suited to hot-lapping at a track day. Really unsure though - I was hoping someone had some experience with them.



The federals are quite a bit wider than the Nitto in the same 255/40r17 size (this is the difference with 4 tires stacked):

[thrdeye]

If you are looking for a good compromise of cheap and good, the Hankook RS3 is your tire. They also enjoy heat, which is a good thing since you have a FWD car so you will have to deal with wheelspin.

[MARKP]

I think the Federal is the same thing some of the circle track guys have been using. If so, it looks very interesting to me. I would say you will probably have to shave it because the tread squirm will create heat and then you will get the greasy feeling.

[CobaltSSlow]

It seems like the 255/40/17 size has been on back order for some time now. I do like the Hankooks, but at 177/ea in that size I'm getting close to Star Spec money. I'm still swinging towards the Federals, I'll probably just be spraying them alot. Anyone run the RS3s that wouldn't mind a passenger for a run or two so I could see what they feel like?

[CobaltSSlow]

I think the Federal is the same thing some of the circle track guys have been using. If so, it looks very interesting to me. I would say you will probably have to shave it because the tread squirm will create heat and then you will get the greasy feeling.

I'm kinda new to this whole race tire thing, how would I go about having them shaved? I've heard it - along with a decent initial heat cycle - will extend the life of the tire.

[flier129]

I've heard the federals get greasy pretty easily, so they don't like heat.

I'd definitely go with the hankooks or dunlops over the federals.

[CobaltSSlow]

I haven't seen much in the way of reviews for the NT05 for auto-x, people like them as a track tire.

[John Brown]

are both these tires ST legal? I see one is 140 and the Nitto is 200 from my searches.
I have not seen them on any cars in the past.

[integra55]

what JB said … keep in mind that the 140TW is only legal this season … and with a 15mm spacer you don't need REALLY long extended studs, the ARP's should be fine … it's what I use with that same spacer

[MikeKelly]

I have not seen them on any cars in the past.

I'm pretty sure Bolton was running them (NT05) when Jim + I arrived...

[John Brown]

.. L E G A L ? ST..

.. I thought I saw them on the exclusion list some time ago.. no? and that could have changed.. I dunno

[TennTechMan]

NT05's are not on the exclusion list. They're just not as fast as the Hankook, ZII, or Toyo. So, no one is running them. Gary and I thought about running some NT05's on the Geo since it's the only 275 you can get for a 17. After doing some reading, we decided we're probably faster on a 255 ZII.

The Federal tire I've never heard of. Is it new? The tread pattern looks very squirmy.

[John Brown]

yea, kina squirmy.. but I assure you.. Ill have a set of those for next week to try. 70 bucks a pop!

you shave em down enuff... the "squirmy" packs up and leaves town!

[CobaltSSlow]

So with 140s being req'd next year won't the mfgs be pressured to offer both or jump up to 200 all together? Since that number comes from the mfg what stops them from just calling a 140 a 200? I want to say that I noticed both a 140 and 200 tw version of the same tire. (Can't remember which one)

Interested in the star specs, but they are 250ish more a set than the Feds. I'd love to hear an unbiased review if someone ends up running them. Otherwise I will probably just spring for the better tires and avoid any uncertainty.

[thrdeye]

Hankooks are already 200 TW (although it's the same tire as the 140, they just changed the stamp) and also pay contingency. A set of 255/17's (last I looked) were $650.