Definitive Tire Size Answer

[UriahRR]

Read a lot on here and other places and just want to see if there's a definitive answer for our cars.


So, for autocrossing, which size is the best;

The 22.5 lbs but more responsive 17" American Racing with 205/40's

The 13 lbs but less responsive 15" Rotas with 225/50's

or compromise with 16" Rotas with ... well affordable 16's are all in lame sizes...


Basically, I want a bit softer ride for street use, but don't want the sidewall roll of a tall sidewall tire. Is it really noticeable for the 15's? I remember when I went from the 15" snowflakes to the 17" SRT's, I literally said to myself "holy shit this thing's slow now". It got a little better when I switched to the American Racing's, but not much. Currently, I drive the Mustang with tall sidewall tires and it feels like I'm driving on a waterbed - burnout ready, but not so much in the handling department. I just don't want that to be the Neon if I switch to 15's.

So, anyone here AutoX on both 17's and 15's and can shed some light on the noticeability of the flaws of both tires?

Thanks.

[UriahRR]

So 15's it is?

[bone-yard-racing]

YES!!!!

The SRT-4 has the power for 17s you dont plus a 225/15 is wider than a 225/17

[trojmn]

Read a lot on here and other places and just want to see if there's a definitive answer for our cars.


So, for autocrossing, which size is the best;

The 22.5 lbs but more responsive 17" American Racing with 205/40's

The 13 lbs but less responsive 15" Rotas with 225/50's

or compromise with 16" Rotas with ... well affordable 16's are all in lame sizes...


Basically, I want a bit softer ride for street use, but don't want the sidewall roll of a tall sidewall tire. Is it really noticeable for the 15's? I remember when I went from the 15" snowflakes to the 17" SRT's, I literally said to myself "holy shit this thing's slow now". It got a little better when I switched to the American Racing's, but not much. Currently, I drive the Mustang with tall sidewall tires and it feels like I'm driving on a waterbed - burnout ready, but not so much in the handling department. I just don't want that to be the Neon if I switch to 15's.

So, anyone here AutoX on both 17's and 15's and can shed some light on the noticeability of the flaws of both tires?

Thanks.

I started with no name 17x7 205/40 crap all seasons. Going to a 15 helped tremendously, even a heavy 15x6.5 worked better on the auto x. Eventually i settled on 15" snowflakes 195/60/15 for daily driving for the more sidewall better tire choices. For race days i went to 15x7 rota's 225/45 RS-3 front 205/50 XS in the back. That works for me very well in ST. Dont sweat the side wall, you wont notice. Good autox street tires have stiff sidewalls and are very grippy. If you want more turnin response, fix your LCA bushings and allignment. You'll need a big rear sway bar if you dont already.

I also went to a 3.94 trans at clutch changing time. The short 23" tire with a 3.94 trans makes a 2gn soch an almost tollerable autoX car.

Tro

[UriahRR]

Thanks guys. I really want the Rotas, but I'll probably settle on any 15's for now.