Tire discussion and choices [Merged 11-7] which size what tires tiretire

[dsmulla]

I am right now in the market of buying new tires. I currently have Khumo Ecasta's but the tread is alomst done. Traction is a problem through first and second but I think thats mainly because of the tires and how they are almost finished. I have read great things about the Khumo MX's but I wanted to know what you guys thought about the "General UPH," tires?

http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=General&tiremodel=Exclaim+UHP&pc=15476590000

This car will see the track maybe three times throughout this summer for some quarter mile timming and maybe some lapping (not sure if thats makes a big difference). Overall, it is my DD in the summer and obviously I am looking for traction because mine is a FWD. You can also check my profile for what kind of mods I have done.

Thanks!
Osman

 

[nates6969]

What Ecsta's do you have? the 711's or 712's (written quite small on the side of the tire). If its the 711s then those are junk. I have the 712s and they are nice and sticky for me! I would recommend them for sure if you want a half decently priced tire. They've been on my car for the last 2 years and still have about 50% left!

 

[DGajre777]

Not sure if this helps, but General UPH is the #1 ranked tire in its category on Tirerack.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Exclaim+UHP

 

[dsmulla]

Yeah, this tire my mechanic is really crazy about but I haven't seen anybody or even on this board talk about it so much. Thats why I needed some input. Do you guys think it would be good for my needs or would you suggest another tire?

Yeah nates6969, I have 711's and they suck I know. Lets just they say back when I bought this car, didn't have enough info on dsm's or cars in general. I have come a long way and still going strong!!

 

[nates6969]

haha good to hear! Good to see you're reading up about the tires before going to buy them. When I had my fwd talon, I could not keep the tires from flaming up at the top of first and second, even with 225s.

Another tire I would strongly suggest is the Fuzion ZRis. Good priced too
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Fuzion&tiremodel=ZRi

 

[DGajre777]

I have Fuzion ZRis, I had Generals, they were softer compared to the Fuzions. Car handled better with Fuzions.

 

[96_charcoal_tsi]

I have these tires on my car right now and they seem to be doing alright. I am awd though so i dont know about being front wheel drive. As far as track use i have had none yet, but this thursday im probably going to be going to the 1/8th mile track. Overall though these tires seem to be pretty decent for the price. Tire wear is not to bad either even though i only have like 3000 miles or so on them. I will let you know what i think when i go to the track.

 

[dsmulla]

These tires will cost me $87.00 a piece and thats a very good price. I think I have narrowed down my choices to the Khumo MX's and the Generals so what do you guys think? Which one will suit my needs better?

 

[Defiant]

I'm running Fuzions, too. Did great in the snow, and are otherwise terrific.
I think it takes some pretty careful shopping to find crap tires anymore.

 

[project_tsi]

I am running the General Exclaim UHP's.

Get the Kumho Ecsta MX's.

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

We sell a ton of Fuzions where I work. Great tire for the price. I am running Firehawk GTA2's right now and love them.

 

[TSG59_Steve]

I'm going to try out the General's. It's an excellent price ($400 shipped with warranty) and if I end up not liking them I'll get the Kumho's.

 

[TKW#13]

I am running 235/45r17 Kumho ASX, and I ran them at Miller Motorsports park for GT Live. I was pretty impressed for the first hour of driving on them. The second hour they started to squeal just a little in some harder turns. Needless to say they are still on my car with 50% tread left.

 

[hsk8te2006]

Hi,

I already tried searching for 2 hours on the site with no luck.

I realize that it is possible to use wheels with less offset to get a wider tire (over 235mm) to fit without hitting the knuckle up front, and I loved wret's write-up on how to calculate that. I also have heard that if a tire gets too wide, that it will hit the rear fender flange when the car is fully loaded, but I can't find a way to calculate it.

My question is:

On a stock suspenion 1996 GS-T Spyder (with the appropriate aftermarket wheels), what is the widest nearly-stock-diameter tire/wheel-offset combination that will not rub the front knuckle, AND won't require rear fender rolling to fit if the car is fully loaded (or undergoes full suspension travel)?

Thank you to whomever knows this or can show me how to calculate for fender flange fit.

Many Thanks,
Jonathan Hayward

 

[CanadianTSi]

I run 235's and they barley clear the suspension and only required a tiny massaging of the rear fenders (Baseball Bat) So I would say thats the Widest you can easily run.

 

[ZmanIV]

check here first
http://www.vfaq.com/index-main.html
Why do you want to get something wider than 235 with a bone stock GST
Wider tires make the car turn slower.
I run EVO 8 wheels with 235/45/17's, 1/2" drop and a rear camber correction kit.
I am definatly putting more HP to the ground than I was when I was stock and I have no tire slipping issues.

 

[wret]

Wider tires make the car turn slower.

Then why are the fastest autocrossers on 285's?

I would agree that 235's are about the widest you can go without fender rolling. They would need to be kept close on the inside by going with a higher offset of around +45mm.

 

[jtmcinder]

Wow. Someone got lucky (rep-point-wise) that Ron saw this first. Wider = slower when turning???

I second 235/45/17 on a +45, as long as said wheel is 8" wide. But the amount of work to get 245/40/17s to work on a +40 is minimal and the gains in gearing and width are worth it.

- Jtoby

 

[hsk8te2006]

To answer your question, I'm not necessarily looking to go over 235's. I happen to like the look and feel of wider tires, and while I was comparing wheel/tire options, I started to consider that I should make sure it'll fit under my fenders and not hit any suspension parts if I go wider than stock.

As far as the 245/40/17s goes... I've actually been wondering about 245/50/16. It's slightly closer to the stock diameter than 245/40/17, and from what I can read, having a 16 inch wheel is better for start up traction on a FWD than having 17s (taller sidewall is less likely to lose traction and spin), not to mention the tires are usually cheaper.

Also, according to my calulations, 235/40 17 and 235/45 17 are both off, as well as 235/45 16 and 235/50 16. Your thoughts?

Jtoby.. how much work are you talking to get a 245 tire under the fender with a 40mm offset wheel? Your thoughts about a 245/50/16 for a FWD?

 

[TSG59_Steve]

I know this is an older-ish thread, but I thought I'd throw some feedback in now that I've got the tires broken in, etc.

I ended up going with the General Tire Exclaim UHP's and I love them. Excellent handling in the rain/water and they can hook when they are warmed up, no doubt.

A+++ for me. Best tires I've ever bought.

 

[rathana]

i've been looking around for tires for about a week now...and i finally came upon two...the falken fk-452 or the Fusion ZRi...which one do you think is better for the buck...for performance and handling...please any info would help

 

[2gsxRuiz98]

I have always felt superior grip and confidence with Falken. Falken has stood up for years in many competion based tests.

 

[hahnsuper16g]

I run the 452s on my car and they are phenomenal. I have always been a falken man and i think you will be pleased to run the 452s as they offer all around performance and superior dry grip.

 

[Defiant]

I've not tried Falkens on the DSM, but am running the Fuzions- they're working out really well, including a run through a serious snow storm back from Reno.

 

[dsmzoom]

Its time for new tires, nothing like that smell of new rubber! The previous owner put on some pos sumitomo tires that dont grip at all, so i cant wait to put on new treads. Ive narrowed my search down to two tires but I wonder if you guys have any feedback on them to help me decide.My choices are:Falken ZE-912 or Fuzion ZRi. My size is 215/50/17 do you guys have any other suggestions?