Best wheel/tyre combo for handling?

Hey guys. Just bought an 03 S2000. It came from the dealer fitted with some pretty average looking 17" wheels.

It's due for tyres and I really want to set it up for track days and max grip etc. I was thinking going back to a 16" wheel setup, with some nice wide tyres. Any advice on whick wheel/tyre combo will satisfy my need for grip?

I run a 15" setup on my CRX and it's great, but I am a little lost on the S2K as I have always been FWD!!!

I Have seen up to 255 and 265 width rear and 245 front on the net, just looking for max grip, not looks. Do I stay with the staggered setup?

Thanks guys,

James.

Staying with OEM 16 inch will provide a wide range of cheaper tyres. If I was going to have a track set they would be 17x8 with a staggered setup. 205 on the front stock is a bit weak.

It depends on what you want and how you drive. Some people like the oversteer that non staggered offsets give you, some people think that a staggered offset gives enough oversteer as is.

Well what was your favorite R compound tyre on your CRX? If you really did like it maybe stick too it :) If you want a street tyre maybe look into some Bridgestone RE-11, or Advan AD07, maybe some Dunlop Z1? or Falken RT615. They are pretty hard to get overhere, The Tirerack quoted me 1.2kUSD landed last time for a full set of RE01R 225/45/17 and 245/45/17

Also research on afew aligments, and get a real aggressive one, don't hold back it sounds like your car is more of a weekend warrior then a daily beater.

As for rims, if it was me I would roll 17x9" CE28 non staggered setup for the track, lightweight and forged, and extremely hot! But thats me, I like playing with oversteer. And one really good thing about a non staggered setup? Tyre rotation :D:D

Here's a little info on running some non staggered setups check it out.
http://maxrev.net/index.php?location=widetires.htm

At the end of the day, get on the track with how your car is now, see where it's lacking and improve on that area. Handling is alot more about personnel preference/driving and tuning rather then slapping on a catalog of parts expecting to "handle". Also jump on the S2ki forums and read around, alot of personnel opinions there caus alot of the yanks race their s2000.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vyets

It depends on what you want and how you drive. Some people like the oversteer that non staggered offsets give you, some people think that a staggered offset gives enough oversteer as is.

Well what was your favorite R compound tyre on your CRX? If you really did like it maybe stick too it :) If you want a street tyre maybe look into some Bridgestone RE-11, or Advan AD07, maybe some Dunlop Z1? or Falken RT615. They are pretty hard to get overhere, The Tirerack quoted me 1.2kUSD landed last time for a full set of RE01R 225/45/17 and 245/45/17

Also research on afew aligments, and get a real aggressive one, don't hold back it sounds like your car is more of a weekend warrior then a daily beater.

As for rims, if it was me I would roll 17x9" CE28 non staggered setup for the track, lightweight and forged, and extremely hot! But thats me, I like playing with oversteer. And one really good thing about a non staggered setup? Tyre rotation :D:D

Here's a little info on running some non staggered setups check it out.
http://maxrev.net/index.php?location=widetires.htm

At the end of the day, get on the track with how your car is now, see where it's lacking and improve on that area. Handling is alot more about personnel preference/driving and tuning rather then slapping on a catalog of parts expecting to "handle". Also jump on the S2ki forums and read around, alot of personnel opinions there caus alot of the yanks race their s2000.

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Mate thats a reply! I like your explanation of staggered offsets, and your right, its not a daily beater!

I will be looking at forged wheels, and after looking around, about a 17x9 with a +45 seems to be the go. I like oversteer, so I will get it on the track first and see how it goes stock first.

Thanks for the helpful reply!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

James

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JMSBND

I will be looking at forged wheels, and after looking around, about a 17x9 with a +45 seems to be the go.

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17x9 +45 might rub. For 9 inch wide wheels +60 and greater is recommended.

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I like oversteer, so I will get it on the track first and see how it goes stock first.

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Good thinking. You'll be surprised how oversteery this car is particularly compared to a FWD. Personally I can't imagine anyone looking to emphasise the oversteer nature of this car.

you shouldnt have any issues with 17x9 +45 (245/40/17 all round) setup if you do the following

-roll front and rear guards
-relocate rear bumper tab back 1"
-cut rear bumper
-run abit of camber ( on the rear -3.0degress will be more than enough)

Alot of cars in japan use this setup as it offers better turn in and braking. In saying that it will make the car tend of oversteer alot more, so this setup isnt recommending for noob drivers.

reason our cars come with staggered offsets from factory is for satefy reasons, some of the guys who autocross with the S have actually commented how the car displays understeer characteristics. Even at skid pan days, 'snap oversteer' tends to happen when ppl not use to the handling characteristics of the S making sudden movements or adjustments whilst turning or not being able to shift the weight transfer smoothly.

I watched BM vid the other day, comparing the newer version of S2K and the older version.

I know that the newer version has got the rear chasis revised and bla bla bla, thus give a better handling compare to the older one.

Interestingly they swap the 17" from the newer S2K to the older version, and the lap time improves by 0.5 sec. The new model has got 235 or 245 tires at the back I think.

New model has 245 at the back, the newer model also has the 2.2L just incase you didnt know.

17x9+45 all you gotta do is roll the guards, not like it changes the look or anything unless you want to get under the car and look at the guard folded in. After that you shouldnt rub, I know you're going to be running alot of camber anyway, so it doesn't matter. But less then 2degrees can clear that easily. Guessing you will be running 255's? Semi slicks don't have a "rim protector" on the sidewall so they do sit slightly thinner then most other tyres.
To clear the fronts they mentioned it in the link I showed you it's slightly abit of work but it might be what your after. At the end of the day you "modding" your car, and most mods to get one you require another, why hold back true :)

Let us know how you went on the track, which track, what tyres and how your liked/disliked it :) Good Luck man.

Or run +60 and no need to roll your guards or run excessive camber. ;)

Last time I checked a stock s2000 is running 1.5degrees of negative camber on the rear, don't know how the audm ones are but.The UK s2000's run neg 2 degrees :O. I wouldn't even begin to call that excessive. And your toe out of alignment will be the major wear on tyres, and his should be nowhere near 0, for his purpose anyway.

If your keeping stock suspension for the track I would recommend you get a real aggressive aligment, as your car will be getting alot of roll you want to make the most of the tyres. And if your even more serious get an alignment with you in the car :)

He he, I knew you'd bite.

Ill be the lab rat!

Ive got a set of CE28 17x9 +54 to be fitted on the S2K. Just awaiting tyres.

Non staggered is my choice and I did this for track reasons.

What also concerned me is fender damage. A lot of people bent the fenders with wide tyres, crazy offsets and soft springs.

So upgrading to stiffer springs is also must if your going to track the vehicle like my self. I choose 16kg Front and Rear. (bumpy Yo!)