Any reason you went with the RS3's over another tire? Also, why in that size? Just seems like a lot of tire to fit on a small rim especially given that the RS3's have a pretty soft sidewall to start with.

I'd venture a guess that initial turn in is going to suffer. Ultimate grip should be good but I just feel like the tires are going to be squirming all over the place. To compensate you are going to probably need a good deal of pressure at the expense of contact patch which goes back to my initial question as to how you decided on that particular tire and size in the first place?

This is not negative in any way, just merely a couple questions that I have along with some feedback. I hope it works out for you and I look forward to hearing your findings.

 

That is the largest I could fit on the stock size rim. Since Stock become Street this year, most of the guys in there didn't have much of experience with Street type tires. But, you STU guys have and most likely on the same type tires. That is why question was asked here.

And yes, I am still in BS, so I have to use that rim.

While running with Hoosiers (285s on the same rims), they were getting pretty hot - lots of spraying to cool them down on hotter days. That is mainly due to the wright of the car, so using anything smaller would be even worse for the hear management. Of all the tires that were available, ZIIs seemed to have most of the grip, but they were not good when they get too hot. RS3s on the other hand seem to be fine with extra heat, so the final decision was to get Kooks.

One more reason was for Dunlop not offering any contingencies, while Hankook does - or did last year.

Fedja

 

Unfortunately I'm not sure how much STU tire pressure knowledge would transfer to your situation. We're all running 245-width tires on wider than stock wheels, whereas you're stuck with much wider tires on relatively narrow wheels. The R-S3 already has a reputation for being quite squirmy, so your setup will be interesting to dial in.

 

Yes

 

Agreed.

I think even in Street, ideally the tire section width should be the same as the wheel width.

The Dunlops and Yokos (iirc) take the best to pinching because of the stiff sidewalls.

The RS3s will tollerate heat better from a compound perspective, but the over-tiring will probably stress the tire more. The Dunlops are great, but you definitely need to spray them to keep them in their happy zone. I found they work best when cool to the touch before heading out for a run.

I agree with the collective sentiment here that our experience with pressures won't translate to Street given the relative under-tiring of our wheels in STU.

Your best bet would be to talk to some RTA-DS WRX drivers from last year. A lot of them were running 255 and 265mm tires (Dunlops) on 8" wheels. I know some were on RS3s, but not sure what sizes though.

-Bryan

 

I do know that we are not comparing the same things by any means. I was only asking what was working for you guys that ran those tires in sizes that you use on rims that you have. That way I could have a bit better idea where to start when I get to be out on my first event.

The same thing was pretty much couple of years ago when I started to use 285 Hoosiers on those rims. I had an idea what would be a good setup with proper rim sizing and I started from there and ended up 10 psi higher for the fronts.

So, it seems that numbers that I am getting for the STU use of RS3s are in high 30s and I don't expect to have to go to 48 in this case, but it is pointing out that my initial plan of trying it at 40 psi might be on the low side.

Thanks for info!


Fedja

 

So... how grippy is the surface in San Diego?

 

On a scale of ice to rubber:
gravel


I'll be writing a letter asking for:
- 335 tires
- unlimited boost
- replace up-to 3 differentials

 

On a totally, totally unrelated note -

18x9.5 RPF1s, +45, 245-40-18 Rivals. Any chance those fit? Like, if you wanted to borrow Rivals off some Subaru for contingency purposes without buying a set?

 

You'd need at least a 27mm spacer to clear the calipers up front, and probably a 10mm in the rear to clear the trailing arms

 

Seriously...watching the livestream on Day 1, I was like welp...there goes STU.

 

as if anyone expected anything different?

 

I was trying to keep hope alive...

 

a recap of part of where we left off, on the topic (from the 2013 thread)

 

I think we all expected Brian to be fast. 1.7 seconds at a tour, not on concrete, against a 2 time national champion, is faster than I was expecting.