Hello my fellow track aficionados, track season is quickly approaching and I would like your input regarding a recent purchase I've made. I bought a set of RPF1 wheels - 18x9.5 +15 - for my Evo X and I am now looking to acquire some tires. I've done my research and decided to go with 265/35/18 tires. My question to you guys & gals, what experience do you guys have with this set-up on stock suspension? Should I just stay with my stock wheels and stock suspension until I get a new suspension for the new set or will the new wheels hold up fine at the track. FYI, my intentions are to head out to the Glen with NASA in April.

Any input will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Is the NASA event you're doing in April HPDE 1?!

 

It's an HPDE only. So it should be a lot fun with extra time on the track. I believe they will have all levels of HPDE groups.

 

Correct....but is the event you are registered for HPDE 1?! The reason I ask is if you're signed up for DE 1 don't worry so much about modifying your car for the event. Just get out there and drive. Seat time is going to be the best mod you can do for your car. Don't bother throwing tons of money into it to make it faster cause trust me speed will not impress your NASA instructors. I would just get out there shred the stock tires instead of running on a set of new ones with wider rim. That's just my opinion. Get out there and drive, learn the line, apex, braking points, weight transfer, etc. speed will develop in time, I can promise you that. like I said seat time makes you faster, not mods.

 

e_kobz is right, no need for new suspension or power mods to do DE 1 events. I ran multiple NASA NE events last year and got bumped up to DE 2 at the end of the season. Completely stock except for DOT 4 fluid and mid-year installed SS brake lines.

See you there in April.

 

This is not my first time running in HPDE. It will be my first at the glen. I've been to NJMP and I'm in the second group looking to get bumped to 3. The reason why I wanted wider wheels with track tires is cause I noticed the difference on the line some drivers were taking. Especially when it was a mixed group. For the most part, I was running the same line as guys in group 4 but I don't know if it was my brake point but they were definitely able to get away with some stuff cause of their wheels and tires. I'm looking to try to improve my skills while improving my feel and understanding for my car.

 

I made the same upgrade before the track season began last season and it was definitely a nice upgrade. If you run in the summer a larger radiator is recommended. It makes a difference.

 

I have a few questions for you:

How do you know 100% it was their wheels and tires that let them get away from you?!

What "stuff were they able to get away with?!"

And where on the track was this occuring, the straights, corner entry, corner exit, etc.?

 

They were able to exit the corners a little harder. I adjusted my rear sway bar to decrease understeer and it was good but not the grip I needed to exit a corner as they were. I could just tell that track tires would definitely help me out a little more. If you don't mid me asking, what experience at the track do you have?

 

I'll add that to my ever expanding list. Any specific recommendation? Koyo, Mishimoto?

 

Are you certain the only thing that would help you are track tires?


If you could tell me that you know you are maximizing your entry, cornering, and exit speeds to the cars ability, not your ability, then you may be correct. DE is not supposed to be about beating the other cars on track, that would be TT and W2W.


In one of your earlier posted you said that you ran the same line as the other guys do in group 4. That may be the preferred line for their car and setup, but is it the preferred line for your car and setup. The preferred line for a rwd is different from awd and fwd. Hell the preferred line from awd to awd and driver to driver is different.


Have you experimented with apexing earlier or later in a corner to see what is the most efficient way to take the corner? Have you experimented with trail braking and left foot braking?


These are a few of the things to consider when analyzing what is holding you back, the car or you.

 

Sounding very defensive bro. I'm just stating my point and what I've noticed. No need to be critical of my techniques. Didn't realize I was dealing with a pro. You've criticized my judgement and technique but have not elaborated on my wheel set-up conundrum. Since you're such a pro, what's your take on the wheel set-up?

 

I'm currently running a koyo on my car. Mishimoto makes some great products that are reasonably priced, they're no slouch. I got a good deal on Black Friday and I liked the R&D koyo has put into their radiators. I just installed a mishimoto on my ae86. Not the same car but I'll be to compare how they hold up.

 

NASA AZ HPDE 1-4, NASA AZ/UMS Tuning Time Attack Series, NASA AZ Time Trial

+1

I don't think he was trying to offend you or your driving style. I think he is just trying to inform you that wider wheels and tires arent going to help you as much as you think.

 

In this section, you can cut the bro crap and the condescending nature in your post. Why would I have any need to be defensive as that was my first post in your thread. If you're looking for people to actually give you sound advice and guidance, this section of the forum is the place to get it. If you're looking for folks to boost your ego and tell you ways to needlessly spend your money, then go hit up the suspension and tire sub section.


My intention was to get you to really think about what is not allowing you to pull out of the corners like you think you should. Is it truly the tires and suspension, or is it your technique in which you navigate a corner? It sounds to me that you think there is no way it can be you, but that does not translate in your posts.


Unless you know that you are navigating the track at 100% of the cars ability as it is, keep driving it as it is until you can. You will be that much faster when you do upgrade the tires and can properly adjust the suspension.


With that being said, it's your money. If you want to spend it, then spend it. Go to something like an NT-01 or R888 in the 265 range before making the jump to Ho-Ho's or R1's.