17" X 7" Wheel Widest Tire, Autox Street Tire Reccomendations

[Nonrml4]

Im looking at getting some serious tires for autocross, but they need to meet some criteria, I need to be able to drive on them during the summer and they need to be able to perform. I am thinking about the new Falken Azenis Rt615. I currently have Dunlop FM901 tires. I need to know what the max size tire is that will fit on a 17" X 7" wheel with a 45mm offset. I am also lowered with Eibach Pro kit and Tokico Illumina Shocks. Any reccomendations would be great.

[jtmcinder]

225/45/17 Falkens would be the obvious choice, but they might rub the rear knuckle on a 45 offset. Safer bet would be Kumho MXs (same size). But you are really shooting yourself in foot (all four of them) with the 7"-wide wheels.

- Jtoby

[Nonrml4]

Originally Posted by jtmcinder

225/45/17 Falkens would be the obvious choice, but they might rub the rear knuckle on a 45 offset. Safer bet would be Kumho MXs (same size). But you are really shooting yourself in foot (all four of them) with the 7"-wide wheels.- Jtoby

Why would the kumho MXs be the better choice? What are the main differences between them? Or is it just a slight differnce in size, even though they are the same list size.

[jtmcinder]

Yep, size. Falkens run wide at the tread for the sidewall rating. I have doubts that a 225 Falken will fit without rubbing on a +45. The Kumhos are closer to "normal," so they shouldn't be a problem at all.

Example: a stack of 225/45/17 of the old Azenis was exactly the same height as a stack of 245/40/17 Kumho MXs. And I know that 245 Kumhos need a +40 offset.

I also like the MX. The sidewall is a bit softer than the Falken, which hurts when autocrossing (especially in transition), but they seem to be a better all-around tire. The softer sidewall definitely will help when launching and reduce some of effects of lousy pavement. And I liked them in rain a lot more than the Falkens.

- Jtoby

[eclipsegsx1736]

Yes, a 7" wide wheel isn't the first choice for autocrossing. A 17x8 would be better. I had a 17x8 with +45 offset, and 225/45 BFG KDW's fit without rubbing on the inside, but it was pretty close, about 1cm clearance. The 17x7 should be enough to clear almost any tire, maybe not if the Falkens are MUCH wider. Use some 3-5mm wheel spacers if needed.

[Nonrml4]

Okay, thanks guys, so it looks like 225/45/17 Kumho MXs are the ones. eclipsegsx1736 you have no idea how mad I am right now. I was going to get the same wheels that you have, but went for lighter rather than wider. But the wheels look great!

[wret]

Originally Posted by jtmcinder

Yep, size. Falkens run wide at the tread for the sidewall rating. I have doubts that a 225 Falken will fit without rubbing on a +45. The Kumhos are closer to "normal," so they shouldn't be a problem at all.

Example: a stack of 225/45/17 of the old Azenis was exactly the same height as a stack of 245/40/17 Kumho MXs. And I know that 245 Kumhos need a +40 offset.

I also like the MX. The sidewall is a bit softer than the Falken, which hurts when autocrossing (especially in transition), but they seem to be a better all-around tire. The softer sidewall definitely will help when launching and reduce some of effects of lousy pavement. And I liked them in rain a lot more than the Falkens.

- Jtoby

Jtoby, are you referring to the obsolete RT215's or the RT615's? Specs for the RT615's do not seem inordinately wide compared to other brands, although I have not used them and my experience with ST115's puts them right in the middle of others.

[Rick@AP]

If your willing to spend the cash, the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 are AMAZING tires. They handle great in the rain and are VERY grippy on the track once they have heated up. More expensive than the other choices but it's the only thing that I ride on.

[jtmcinder]

I was talking about the original Azenis from two or three years ago (i.e., those that dominated in street-tire classes). I know the newer ones don't run quite as wide, but I still can't see them working on a +45 offset. The key is the width at the tread. Falkens are quite square.

- Jtoby

[arash15]

im runnning a 17x7 +38 offset w/ 235/45/17's. You need to roll your fenders for that size and above. There is somewhat of a bulge but thats not a problem for me

[zyrusp]

i run 17x7's with 225/45/17 and no problems at all....dont have to roll no fenders and no rubbing at all...

[jtmcinder]

Do not get involved in a thread concerning tires and wheels that will rub or not rub without including your offset. At best, you are wasting our time; at worst, you could mislead a lurker into buying some wheels that won't work.

Thanks.

- Jtoby