As of last week I have replaced my STR Miata with an Evo X GSR.
(Bone stock other than a stereo)
Short term planning on running BS, wondered if any of y'all had thoughts on tire choices, for both size and brand/model.
Searching the internets seems to suggest I should be looking at 265/275/285 widths on the stock wheels
(Comes from the factory with 245/45's, on an 18 inch wheel)
I'd like something that isn't too picky about heat, very much enjoyed the Rivals on my miata
Related query, alignment?
Seems like 'as much negative as they can dial in' up front with a negative degree anna half out back is the popular answer, though un/lightly modified Evos are a rarity these days.
The only moderately hot tire available in 275/40/18 is the Bridgestone RE11, so that's out.
Hankook RS3 is available in 265/40/18 - that might be a decent option.
There's nothing in 285/40/18 and I think that would be too much pinch.
Also nothing good in 265/45/18.
There's lots of tires made in 255/45/18, but none of the top autocross tires.
The Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R, the world's hottest autocross tire right now, is available in the OE size, 245/45/18.
So to me you have two options:
- Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R 245/45/18
- Hankook RS3 V2 265/40/18
I've always been of the belief that street tires don't pinch very well (or at least that a pinched wider street tire offers little to no advantage vs. a narrower unpinched tire on the same width wheel) although the Hankooks probably pinch the best of all the "hot" street tires.
I would probably go with the Bridgestones in the OE size.
In reply to drdisque:
Thanks for the input!
Poking around the tire-rack website revealed that Rivals are not only available but on sale for my OE size...
said sale puts them six dollars a corner less than the RS3's
(Of course, this assumes that TR actually has them in stock, the past two times I've ordered through the website they've actually been out of stock)
Hmm.
Thankfully I know I can't get these for the autocross this weekend, instead have until the end of the month before I 'need' them.
Yeah, the mag says to not pinch autocross tires if you're running street tires.
Is the GSR a sport package for the Evolution?
Nah, the GSR is the 'base' model, only that and the MR as options.
Seriously pondering the Rivals now, as something of a known quantity
(We'll see how that works out, 100 hp RWD vs 300 HP AWD applications :P )
The Bridgestones are anywhere between .1 and .5 faster than the Rival S depending on the car and the course. The Rivals will give you a little bit better wear, but the Bridgestones are better in the wet. The Rivals are awful in the wet (if you have them you should know that - unless it doesn't rain where you live).
Also, the instances where the Rival S is closer to the RE-71R is on light small cars (Miatas/MR2 Spyders). If you're really serious the RE-71R is practically a must-have right now for all the street tire classes.
In reply to drdisque:
Curse you and your well reasoned logic!
This just in: wheels for an Evo are much more expensive than wheels for a miata, damn!
EDIT: bought the RE71's. Though they likely won't make it in time for this weekend.
