I'm looking to do some autocrossing in the spring. What wheels you guys using? I don't know if I should use my stocks or if I should buy Volks or something and use my Yokohama Parada Spec-2's I have sitting in the basement. For those that Auto-X, what do you guys prefer stocks? 17s? Any suggestions would be great, I'll be buying a set of slicks or something after whatever tire I go with runs bald.
17's are too big for autocrossing. I'd go with the lightest 15" wheel you can find and a set of good autocross tires. Stocks might even be better than 17's???
heres what you should do, get some 16" rotas with some yokohama parada spec 2..they stick like hell. then get some neuspeed race springs to lower the center of gravity for better turning. you my need a rear camber also. then get both front strut bars, both sway bars, and both tie bars.
I autocross. Currently I have a set of 17's with Falken Ziex 512's. They are my street tires, and they stick pretty good once they warm up. The biggest question you need to answer is what class you intend to compete in. I run sts. The only rules regarding wheels and tires are
TIRES
Tires up to and including a width of 225.
Tires must have a minimum tread wear rating of 140.
WHEELS
Any wheels up to 7.5" in width that fit over stock brakes
If you compete here. dont use street tires. I.e. Parda spec 2's arn't going to cut it. not to mention you cant get them in a 225 or a 215 in a 16" size and they are a harder compound 300 Vs 200 of the falkens.
next seson I'm going to run 16's with a super sticky set of Falken Azenis Sports(215/45/ZR16) tread wear 200.
34 out of 50 STS drivers ran Falkens at this years nationals including the winner.
If you run stock, (I highly recomend starting here, I whish I did) you have to keep the stock wheels but you can use anny tire that matches the stock size.
If you run in one of the Prepaired classes and you want Maximum traction from your tires, Hoosier A3S03's are the only way to go.225/50-16's will run you $196 each at the TireRack
If you like Kumho's the V700 Victoracer or the ECSTA V700 are excelent choices.225/50-16's will run you $143 each for the ECSTA's and $130 for the Victoracer's at the TireRack
Compititon yokohamas A032R's will run you $155 for 225/50ZR16's
BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD's can be run in STS like the Falkens. 225/50YR16's are $188
The falkens for a 215/45ZR16's will run about $97, So dollar for dollar they offer the best performanc and the best price, at least for STS.
Even the 225/45ZR17 are only $106.
Figure out what class you want to run then start buying parts. but dont start modding youre car untill you run a few races. Other wise you wont know whats improving, you or your car.
in racing 15" Wheels are not gay. They can help you win.
I thought that by the rules, you couldn't have anything in the car that wasn't bolted down. i.e. floormats, cd case, anything in trunk... Basically gut the car of everything that you can and try to lose all the weight you can.
For autocross you dont have to take any thing out of the car. For sts, stock interior must remain. So I cant take the back seats out. But generaly you should take anny thing that is not totaly nessisary out of the car. Some Clubs will require you to remove Items for safty reasons.
We can sit and ponder this one all day long and still not agree on anything. It totally depends on what kind of track you're on. If you're typically running tight twisty tracks, The shorter, stiffer sidewalls on 17's are going to help you with your cornering. So is the ability to put larger brake rotors on. If your AutoX organizers typically design open, fast tracks, then 15's with tires that are shorter (sidewall height) than stock are going to help because they'll give you shorter gearing for better acceleration. Sure, the speedometer will be off and you'll be driving a few miles racking up more miles than you really are, but you shouldn't be watching the speedo too much (if at all), and if you're crying about a few extra ticks on the clock, then match the stock diameter and go slower. If you've got some of both mixed up, then use 16's. There isn't a right answer to this question. It totally depends on the tracks you usually run. The only thing that really remains the same, lighter is better.
And take it from someone who attempted to autoX on the stock Firestones... DO NOT DO IT. They do not hold the track at all, and you will find your self sliding all over the place. Get yourself some sticky tires... I know I am.
