taws6

iTrader: (2)

Hi,

I've been reading howstuffworks.com and got a few questions....

I will (one day ) be buying new rims and tyres, I like TT2's.

I'm not really into drag racing, and the roads here have lots of tight corners. I'm in the UK, so I need tyres that can handle some rain, and resist hydroplanning. Although 80% of my driving is fair dry weather, and I only occasionally getting caught out in showers.

I read that for better traction during cornering , a lower profile tyre better resists the forces generated, due to the stiffer sidewall.
But I don't want to reduce my off the line traction either (I want it all syndrom lol!) I have some traction issues already....
I also read that wider than stock tyres can 'track', pulling the car to one side on certain parts of the road, I guess due to road camber (I get that alot already with my stock ws6 rims!).

For my needs, please tell me:
1. What size rims should I get, stay with 17", or step up to 18"s with a lower profile tyre, f+r ?
2. Should I get wider back rims, and step up to 10"?
3. Would lower profile tyres really benefit me in the corners?
4. If I swich to lower profile tyres, will I lose traction off the line, and if so would it be much?
5. What type of tyres should I get? (radial/streets, I don't really know the differance).
6. What's the highest speed rating for tyres?

7. Unrelated, but FMI, Can I fit tyres with a bigger sidewall in the rear to help with off the line traction onto my stock rims? (there looks like spare space back there.......)

Thanks for helping me with my choices....

hitmanws6

iTrader: (20)

for your TT2s get a 17x9/10.5 combo with Goodyear GS D3s. 275/40/17 up front and 315/35/17 in the rear. they will help you a lot on the corners, and with 315s in the back your off the line traction will increase. as for your current wheels, there are 275 drag radials with taller sidewalls. a 285/40/17 would have a little taller sidewall. hope this info helps

taws6

iTrader: (2)

Hi,

Thanks for your reply Hitmanws6, just the info I am after.

Curently in the rear I have cooper cobra and zeon, both are a 275/40/R17, but the cobra is slightly wider & higher, with a sidewall of 87mm vs zeons 83mm! (Noticeably different when lined up off of the car)

I'd just like to confirm I have understood this part:

JFMI, you are telling me I could put a wider tyre on my stock rims (285) and that would also increases the aspect ratio, making for a bigger side wall as well ? (All be it a very small differance).

So the lower profile tyres up front don't really help for cornering? (I do see that the 315/35/17 TT2 for the rear are a lower profile)

Many thanks for the guidance and info, 10.5" will be going on the back one day

Edit: You say 315 in the rear. Is that a 315 tyre, on a 10.5" rim???
Thanks for the help......

NBMZ/28

iTrader: (1)

yes, the 315 would be for a 10.5" wheel. Don't get 18s. I know they look good but they do not hook very well and the tires are a hell of a lot more expensive. Why not get some 15"s? They're the new 20"s!

taws6

iTrader: (2)

Great, thanks for confiming that NBMZ/28.

20s on a fbody don't look right IMO, but 15s with friggin great rubber do.
I just want to set my car up more for corners than drag racing.....

I'm also considering the possability of having my ws6 17" rims made wider into a 10.5" (I do like my ws6 rims, they just need a referb) .
Is this a bad idea, or safe to do and worth considering??

Scira

iTrader: (4)

I've seen people widen their ws6 rims to 10.5" or 11". They look great IMO, I like the stock ws6s. Its expensive though.

taws6

iTrader: (2)

Great, thanks for the reply.
Hmm, not sure what to do now. Guess I'll get prices for both, and decide from there.

Thanks for all the guidance,


Paul.